Homemade Vanilla Dessert Cream (Crème Pâtissière)
Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins | Total Time: 15 mins (+ chilling)
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
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500 ml (2 cups) whole milk
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3 egg yolks
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50 g (¼ cup) sugar
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1 packet vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
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25 g (2 tbsp) cornstarch (maizena)
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Pinch of salt
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Optional toppings: Cinnamon, cocoa powder, or fresh fruit
Instructions:
1. Heat the Milk
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In a saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat until steaming (do not boil).
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If using vanilla extract, add it now.
2. Whisk Egg Yolk Mixture
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In a bowl, whisk together:
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Egg yolks
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Sugar (and vanilla sugar if using)
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Cornstarch
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Salt
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Whisk until smooth and pale yellow.
3. Temper the Eggs
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Slowly pour ½ cup of the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly (this prevents curdling).
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Then, pour the egg-milk mixture back into the saucepan.
4. Cook Until Thickened
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Return to medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk.
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After 2-3 minutes, it will thicken into a creamy custard.
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Once it bubbles and coats the back of a spoon, remove from heat.
5. Cool & Serve
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Pour into bowls or a jar, cover with plastic wrap (touching the surface to prevent a skin).
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Chill at least 1 hour before serving.
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Sprinkle with cinnamon or cocoa powder before serving.
Tips:
✔ Use for fruit tarts, éclairs, cake fillings, or as a pudding.
✔ For extra richness, replace 100 ml milk with cream.
✔ If too thick, whisk in a splash of milk.
Enjoy your silky-smooth homemade vanilla cream! 😊🍮