Easy Creme Patissiere Recipe Pastry Cream

PASTRY CREAM

Steps:

• Stir together the milk, salt, vanilla bean and seeds and 1/4 cup of the sugar in a medium saucepan until smooth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the sugar has just dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the cornstarch, egg yolks and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a large bowl until smooth. While continually whisking, slowly pour in about 1/2 cup of the warm milk mixture. Continue to whisk until smooth. (This is called tempering, and it will prevent the yolks from scrambling.) Continue whisking and adding 1/2 cup of the warm milk mixture at a time until completely combined and smooth.
• Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan and turn the heat to medium. Cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and the texture of pudding, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat, then whisk in the butter until smooth and glossy. Remove the vanilla bean.
• Strain the pastry cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly on the surface of the pastry cream, and refrigerate until chilled through, at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Before serving, whisk the pastry cream until smooth and fluffy.

CREME PATISSIERE (PASTRY CREAM)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar just until pale yellow and creamy, then whisk in cornstarch and flour. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, heat milk, vanilla pod, and vanilla seeds on medium heat just to a boil. Remove from heat and remove vanilla bean. Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while simultaneously whisking constantly until smooth.
• Transfer mixture back into saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly and vigorously so that the eggs won't curdle, until mixture thickens. Remove from heat and transfer to a medium heatproof bowl. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding to prevent it from creating a 'skin'. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
• Creme patissiere can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 3 days. It does not freeze well. Whisk before using to get rid of any lumps.

SIMPLE PASTRY CREAM (CRèME PâTISSIèRE)

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine milk, vanilla pod, and seeds and ½ the sugar. Place over medium-low heat until mixture comes to a simmer.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, and remaining sugar.
• While whisking constantly, slowly pour ⅓ of the hot milk mixture into the egg-yolk mixture, until it has been incorporated. Pour mixture back into the saucepan, and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, for roughly 2-3 minutes or until it thickens.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. Pass the mixture through a sieve to remove the vanilla pod and any lumps.
• Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent skin from forming and allow it to cool down before refrigerating for a minimum of 4 hours or up to 4 days. Use to fill cream puffs, profiteroles, or pastry tarts.