Learning how to make pastry cream is an essential skill in a baker’s kitchen. This rich, creamy custard is an important component for many desserts. It will open up a whole new world of baking possibilities – eclairs, cream puffs, doughnuts, cakes, crepe cakes, and many other pastries!
The very versatile pastry cream
Also known as Cream Patissiere, pastry cream is a staple in the French pastry kitchen due to its versatility. It is one of the first techniques taught to us in Pastry School.
The basic recipe of pastry cream is always made from a mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, and flour. Once you know the method and proper technique on how to make it, there are numerous things you can use it for.
Pastry cream is similar to a custard in that you cook it on the stove and must be stirred constantly to ensure that the eggs will not curdle, resulting in small pieces of scrambled egg in the cream. That is why it is also best to strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to ensure that there are no bits and lumps.
When do I use pastry cream?
Though you can definitely eat spoonfuls of this delicious pastry cream, it is meant to be a base or as a filling:
- Stuff cream puffs, profiteroles and eclairs
- Use as a filling between cake layers (think Boston Cream Cake)
- Use as a filling for tarts
- Make impressive crepe cakes, with layers filled with lightened up pastry cream
- Filling between mille feuille layers
A great vehicle for flavor
Aside from it’s creaminess and amazing richness, pastry cream is also a great vehicle for flavor – you can easily make variations by adding flavorings. Vanilla seems to be the most popular, but here are some pastry cream variations:
- Chocolate Pastry Cream : Add 100 grams of chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
- Butterscotch Pastry Cream: Add 100 grams of butterscotch chips
- Lemon Pastry Cream: Add 1 to 2 cups of lemon curd
- Peanut Butter Pastry Cream: Add 1/2 cup (135g) smooth peanut butter, not the natural ones with oil that floats on top.
Add these flavorings to the hot pastry cream (see step 5 on the recipe procedure below), stirring until melted and the mixture is smooth.
TIP: Adjust the ratio of your flavoring ingredient (e.g. chocolate, lemon curd) to taste.
Since milk is used to make pastry cream, you can also try to infuse the milk with herbs such as lavender and thyme!
Lightened Pastry Cream
One of my favorite ways to use pastry cream is to use it as a filling for my crepes and cream puffs. However, pastry cream is rich and thick so it needs a light and fluffy lift. I lightened it up by whipping 400ml of heavy cream to soft peaks before folding it into 500g (or 1 batch of this recipe) of pastry cream.
Check out this mille crepe cake where I used lightened pastry cream.
How to store pastry cream?
You can refrigerate the pastry cream up to 5 days. Keep in an air-tight container and be sure plastic wrap is touching the top of the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Whip it before using to get rid of lumps.
FAQs
No, freezing is not recommended. They will start to separate once thawed.
Yes, simply divide all the ingredients in half and follow the same procedure.
Pastry cream stays good for up to 5 days in the fridge. After that, it may start to weep.
A thin, soupy pastry cream means that the custard was not cooked long enough for it to thicken. Make sure to cook it until big bubbles form (refer to photo on step 4).
Assuming you have measured your thickener (the flour) correctly, you may have overcooked your pastry cream. They quickly go from a soupy mixture to a thick texture so never walk away from the stove while you’re making it. It is also very important that all your ingredients and equipment (refer to step 1) are all ready – the custard will be overcooked by the time you’re done grabbing your strainer and bowl from your cupboards.
Since vanilla is the key flavor for this recipe, use the best pure vanilla extract (never use imitation) you can afford. I also prefer using vanilla bean paste or vanilla beans – the the vanilla bean flecks add a sophisticated look!
Get rid of the lumps by simply whisking it again.
Some recipes use cornstarch as the thickening agent to make it gluten-free. However, I have not personally made this using cornstarch so I am unable to provide the right quantity of cornstarch to replace flour in this recipe.
Recipe Overview
One batch of this recipe makes about 500g or 2 cups of pastry cream.
| Active Time: | Baking | Resting |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mins | 0 min | 0 min |
Utensils: medium saucepan, whisk, spatula, medium mixing bowls, strainer, plastic wrap
Ingredients
To make pastry cream, you would need:
- 500g milk, full-fat/ whole milk (You can also use 2% milk but the outcome won’t be as rich.)
- 20g unsalted butter (straight from the fridge is fine)
- 120g granulated white sugar (You can add more if you want it sweeter.)
- 100g egg yolks (from about 5-6 large eggs)
- 40g all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract/ vanilla paste or 1/2 vanilla bean pod (Preferably, use vanilla bean paste or fresh vanilla pods – the flecks would add an elegant look to your pastry cream!)
How to make pastry cream
Step 1: Heat the milk mixture
In a medium saucepan, combine 500g milk, 20g butter, and 1/4 of the sugar (just eyeball it). If using a fresh vanilla bean, infuse the milk by scraping out the seeds and adding them into the saucepan. If using vanilla extract, you will add them later at step 4.
Set the milk mixture over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
TIP: At this point, it is a good idea to set a strainer over a bowl and place it near the stove. You will not use this until step 5 but the egg yolks cooks pretty quickly so it is important to have this ready.
Step 2: Make the egg mixture
While waiting for the milk mixture to simmer, whisk together the 100g egg yolks and the remaining 3/4 of the sugar in a separate bowl. Add the 40g of sifted flour to the egg yolk mixture. Mix again until smooth. Set aside.
Step 3: Temper the egg mixture
Pour a little of the hot milk into the egg mixture and immediately whisk to combine.
Continue pouring half of the milk mixture slowly into the eggs, whisking thoroughly between additions. Return the mixture back into the saucepan over medium-low heat.
Step 4: Cook the pastry cream
Continue to whisk the mixture until it thickens. Whisk in the lumps until the pastry cream is smooth. When it has thickened to a pudding-like consistency, pause whisking every few seconds to check if the cream has come to a boil.
Once you see large bubbles popping on the surface (refer to photo below), whisk for about 10 more seconds then remove the pan from heat.
Step 5: Add flavorings
Add the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract/ vanilla bean paste. If using other flavorings, such as chocolate, caramel, lemon curd, or any other flavorings, add them at this step. Stir until the flavoring has been evenly distributed.
Step 6: Strain the pastry cream
Pour the cream into the strainer set over the bowl. Push it through the strainer using a spatula. This is to ensure that there are no bits of cooked eggs and any lumps that may be in your pastry cream.
This is how you get a smooth, creamy, and lump-free pastry cream!
Step 7: Cover and cool
Immediately cover the pastry cream with a piece of plastic wrap pressed against the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Let it cool in the fridge, about 2 to 3 hours minimum, before using.
You might need to give the pastry cream a quick whisk once it has cooled before using it.
Made this recipe and love it?
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Recipes that uses pastry cream
Printable Recipe Card
How to Make Pastry Cream (Creme Patissiere)
Ingredients
- 500 grams milk full fat or 2%
- 20 grams butter
- 120 grams granulated white sugar
- 100 grams egg yolk (from about 5-6 large eggs)
- 40 grams all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste or 1/2 vanilla bean pod
Instructions
- HEAT THE MILK MIXTURE. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, butter, and 1/4 of the sugar. If using vanilla bean, infuse the milk by scraping out the seeds and adding them into the saucepan. Set over medium heat and bring to a simmer. At this point, it is a good idea to set a strainer over a bowl and place it near the stove.
- MAKE THE EGG MIXTURE. While waiting for the milk mixture to simmer, whisk together the egg yolk and the remaining 3/4 of the sugar in a separate bowl. Add the sifted flour to the egg yolk and mix again until smooth. Set aside.
- TEMPER THE EGG MIXTURE. Pour a little of the hot milk into the egg mixture and immediately whisk to combine. Continue pouring half of the milk mixture slowly into the eggs, whisking thoroughly between additions. Return the mixture back into the saucepan over medium-low heat.
- HEAT THE PASTRY CREAM. Continue to whisk the mixture until it thickens. Whisk in the lumps until the pastry cream is smooth. When it has thickened to a pudding-like consistency, pause whisking every few seconds to check if the cream has come to a boil. Once you see large bubbles popping on the surface, whisk for a few more seconds then remove the pan from heat.
- ADD FLAVORINGS. If using vanilla extract, liqueur, chocolate, or any other flavorings, add them at this step. Stir until the flavoring has been evenly distributed.
- STRAIN AND COOL THE PASTRY CREAM. Pour the cream into the strainer set over the bowl. Push it through the strainer using a spatula. This is to ensure that there are no bits of cooked eggs and any lumps that may be in your pastry cream.
- COVER AND STORE. Cover the pastry cream with a piece of plastic wrap pressed against the surface of the cream to prevent a crust from forming. Cool to room temperature. (Note 1)
I have always made custards in a double boiler. Can I do the same for pastry cream?
Hey! Unlike other custards, pastry cream needs to be brought to a boil to cook the flour well and remove the starchy flavor.