Introduction
Pastry cream is a fundamental ingredient in many dessert recipes. Its soft texture and sweet flavor make it the perfect choice for filling cakes, pastries and other sweets. In this article, you will learn how to prepare a delicious homemade pastry cream, using simple ingredients and following a few easy steps.
Ingredients
To prepare the pastry cream, you will need the following ingredients:
– 500 ml of whole milk
– 4 XL egg yolks
– 125 g of white sugar
– 50 g of corn starch
– 1 vanilla pod
– The peel of a lemon (or an orange)
– Butter (optional)
Preparation
Step 1: Preparation of flavored milk
Start with the vanilla bean. Cut it lengthwise, open it and remove the seeds inside.
Wash the lemon and peel the skin finely, avoiding the white part.
Separate 150 ml of milk into a cup. If you want a more intense flavor, you can add a little cream. Heat the rest of the milk in a saucepan over medium heat, without letting it boil.
Add the vanilla and lemon peel to the saucepan of hot milk and let it infuse for about 30 minutes, with the saucepan covered. Meanwhile, mix the cornstarch with the reserved cup of milk, stirring well to avoid lumps.
Step 2: Preparation of the pastry cream
In a small saucepan, beat the egg yolks and gradually add the sugar, stirring constantly to prevent them from sticking.
Next, pour the milk with the cornstarch into the saucepan, mixing well to obtain a homogeneous mixture without lumps.
Once the infused milk has rested for the necessary time, add it to the saucepan, straining to remove the vanilla and lemon peel. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the cream thickens and acquires a smooth, recognizable texture.
Remove the cream from the heat and transfer it to a bowl or glass jar so it doesn’t acquire additional flavors. Let the cream cool to room temperature and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating it until ready to use.
Additional Tips
– Avoid letting the milk boil during preparation to obtain a proper infusion of vanilla and lemon peel.
– If you don’t have natural vanilla, you can use vanilla sugar or vanilla essence as an alternative.
– To obtain an even creamier texture, you can add pieces of room temperature butter at the end of the recipe.
– If the cream has lumps, you can pass it through a strainer to obtain a smoother texture.
– Cook the cream over medium-low heat for best results in terms of texture and flavor.
– Homemade custard keeps well in the refrigerator for a couple of days, but it is recommended to use it the same day for best results.
Conclusion
Homemade pastry cream is a versatile and delicious ingredient that can elevate your desserts to another level. With a few simple ingredients and following the right steps, you can prepare a smooth and tasty custard that will impress your guests. Dare to try this recipe and enjoy your homemade desserts!
