The Pastry Cream (Crème Pâtissière)

      


Make this first so it has time to chill.

Ingredients:

• 500ml Whole milk

• 100g Granulated sugar

• 4 Egg yolks

• 40g Cornstarch

• 30g Unsalted butter

• 1 tsp Vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Heat Milk: In a saucepan, heat the milk and half the sugar until it just starts to simmer.

2. Whisk Base: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar and cornstarch until pale.

3. Temper: Slowly pour about a third of the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly.

4. Thicken: Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk. Cook over medium heat, whisking vigorously until it thickens into a heavy custard.

5. Finish: Remove from heat. Stir in the butter and vanilla.

6. Chill: Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap (touching the surface of the cream to prevent a skin), and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

2. The Choux Pastry Shells

Ingredients:

• 125ml Water

• 125ml Milk

• 115g Unsalted butter

• 150g All-purpose flour

• 1 tsp Sugar

• 1/2 tsp Salt

• 4 to 5 Large eggs (room temperature)

Instructions:

1. Boil: In a saucepan, combine water, milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil.

2. Add Flour: Remove from heat and dump in all the flour at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a dough ball forms.

3. Cook Out: Return to medium heat for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly. You’re looking for a thin film to form on the bottom of the pan—this ensures the moisture is cooked out.

4. Add Eggs: Move the dough to a stand mixer (or use a bowl). Let it cool for 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each. The dough is ready when it is glossy and forms a "V" shape when you lift the spatula.

5. Bake: Pipe 2-inch mounds onto a parchment-lined tray. Bake at 200°C for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 180°C for another 15–20 minutes until golden and hollow.

• Pro Tip: Poke a small hole in the side of each puff right after baking to let steam escape.

3. Assembly

1. Split or Fill: Once the shells are completely cool, you can either slice the tops off (like in your image) or use a piping bag to poke a hole in the bottom and fill them.

2. Pipe: Whisk your chilled pastry cream to loosen it up, then pipe it generously into the shells.

3. Optional Topping: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.

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