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Vanilla Pastry Cream





Yields
Makes about 1 1/2 cups



Hands-on Time
1 hr



Chill Time
3 hrs



Total Time
4 hrs

Lighter and more delicate than the filling often used in commercial bakeries, this pastry cream lets summer fruit be the star.

su-Vanilla Pastry Cream Image




Photo: Eva Kolenko; Styling: Kelly Allen

 1 cup whole milk
 1 cup heavy cream
 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped out and reserved
 4 large egg yolks
 1/2 cup sugar
 3 tablespoons cornstarch
 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt or table salt
Step 1
1

Heat milk and cream in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until it begins to simmer. Add vanilla bean pod and seeds; let sit off the heat, covered, 30 minutes.

Step 2
2

Rewarm milk mixture over medium-high heat until almost simmering. Meanwhile, mix yolks and sugar in a medium bowl. Blend in cornstarch and salt. Slowly whisk hot milk mixture into yolk mixture, 1/2 cup at a time. Pour mixture back into pan and cook, whisking constantly, until as thick as pudding, about 4 minutes. Pour custard through a strainer into a clean bowl (discard vanilla pod).

Step 3
3

Lay plastic wrap against surface of custard to keep a skin from forming. Chill at least 3 hours and up to 4 days.

Step 4
4

Whisk cold custard to smoothen it, then spread or pipe into tart shell(s) and top with fruit.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0