4.9 from 33 votes
French Vanilla Pastry Cream
Smooth, rich Vanilla Pastry Cream (aka creme patisserie) is a classic French filling used in many dessert recipes. It's easier to make than you might think and can be used in so many ways!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Additional Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 3 cups
Calories: 1834 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
French
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar divided
- Pinch of salt
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 5 large egg yolks
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter cubed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Combine the milk, cream, and half of the sugar in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the liquid comes to a simmer.
- As the liquid heats, whisk together the remaining sugar, salt, cornstarch, and egg yolks in a medium bowl until light and creamy.
- Once the milk mixture is hot, slowly whisk about 1 cup of the liquid into the egg mixture to temper the yolks. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the hot milk mixture and reduce the heat to medium, continuing to cook while whisking constantly, until thickened and a few bubbled burst on the surface, about 30 seconds.
- Remove the pastry cream from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla, then transfer to a bowl and cover with a sheet of plastic wrap placed directly onto the surface of the pastry cream so a skin doesn't form. Refrigerate until chilled and firm, about 3-4 hours.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You can scrape the seeds from a vanilla bean instead of using vanilla bean paste. Or use an equal amount of vanilla extract instead.
Nutrition Information
Calories
1834kcal
(92%)
Carbohydrates
151g
(50%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
125g
(192%)
Saturated Fat
72g
(360%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
8g
Monounsaturated Fat
38g
Trans Fat
2g
Cholesterol
1297mg
(432%)
Sodium
649mg
(27%)
Potassium
687mg
(20%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
123g
(246%)
Vitamin A
5039IU
(101%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
622mg
(62%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1834
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1834kcal | 92% |
| Carbohydrates | 151g | 50% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 125g | 192% |
| Saturated Fat | 72g | 360% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 38g | 190% |
| Trans Fat | 2g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 1297mg | 432% |
| Sodium | 649mg | 27% |
| Potassium | 687mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 123g | 246% |
| Vitamin A | 5039IU | 101% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 622mg | 62% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.