Vanilla Pastry Cream – Creme Anglaise (Dorie Greenspan)

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 3

Creamy Vanilla Pastry Cream Recipe for Your Baked Goods

Vanilla Pastry Cream – Creme Anglaise (Dorie Greenspan)

by The Chefin Dessert

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Ready In

30 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	2 cups whole milk
	1 plump , moist vanilla bean , split and scraped
	6 large egg yolks
	1/2 cup sugar
	1/3 cup cornstarch , sifted
	3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter , softened and cut into 3 pats

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

399

Sugar

32g

Fat

21g

This creamy vanilla pastry cream recipe is a classic French recipe also known as creme anglaise. It is often used as a filling for cakes, tarts, and pastries. This pastry cream is light, airy, and smooth, and is easy to make with just a few basic ingredients. The whipped butter gives this pastry cream an extra richness and creaminess that is sure to please any dessert lover. Whether you are making a fruit tart or an eclair, this pastry cream is a fantastic addition to your baked goods.

Instructions

1.	In a saucepan, heat the milk and scraped vanilla bean until just boiling.
2.	In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until fluffy.
3.	Slowly pour 1/3 of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously.
4.	Pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture, whisking continuously.
5.	Heat and whisk the mixture until it thickens and comes to a boil.
6.	Remove from heat and add the butter, whisking until melted and combined.
7.	Pour the mixture through a sieve into a bowl, removing the vanilla bean.
8.	Place a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming.
9.	Chill the pastry cream in the refrigerator until ready to use.

PROS

Smooth and velvety, this pastry cream is versatile and can be used in many baked goods like tarts, cakes, and eclairs.

It is easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

CONS

This pastry cream is high in calories and sugar, so it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

It can also be time-consuming to make and requires several cooking steps.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While this pastry cream is not particularly healthy, it can be enjoyed as an occasional treat in moderation.
The vanilla bean in this recipe is a good source of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with joint pain and inflammation.