0 from 0 votes
Vanilla Pastry Cream
This classic French vanilla pastry cream is perfect for tarts, cream puffs, éclairs, and more.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 2 ½ cups
Calories: 64 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
French
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon rum (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until steaming (do not boil). Stir in the vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks until smooth and pale.
- Slowly pour about ½ cup of the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
- Pour the tempered mixture into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened to a pudding-like consistency, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter and rum (if using) until fully incorporated.
- Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate until chilled, 2 to 3 hours. Whisk before using to restore its creamy texture.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
2 tablespoons
Calories
64kcal
(3%)
Carbohydrates
8g
(3%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
3g
(5%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
42mg
(14%)
Sodium
63mg
(3%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2½ cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 64
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2 tablespoons | |
| Calories | 64kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 42mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 63mg | 3% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.