Vanilla pastry cream, or crème pâtissière, is a classic French custard that’s rich, creamy, and infused with the subtle flavor of vanilla. It’s the perfect filling for a variety of pastries like eclairs, cream puffs, tarts, and cakes. This recipe gives you a smooth and luscious pastry cream with a deep vanilla flavor, making it a versatile staple in any baker’s kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Silky and Smooth: The creamy texture melts in your mouth, adding a layer of indulgence to any dessert.
- Authentic Flavor: The vanilla is front and center, making this pastry cream the ideal filling for classic French pastries.
- Customizable: Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, you can easily adapt it with different flavors or mix-ins to suit any dessert.
Ingredients: What You’ll Need
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (or 2 tsp vanilla extract)
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt