Classic Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream

Recipe Introduction: Dreamy Cream Puff Filling!

Fancy a bit of French flair in your life? Or, are you just looking for something scrumptiously sweet? Let's dive headfirst into making the ultimate cream puff filling , the kind that transforms a simple puff into a proper showstopper!

Quick Hook

Ever wondered what makes a cream puff truly unforgettable? It's all about the filling, my friend! This easy cream puff filling recipe delivers a luscious vanilla bean flavor that’s rich, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet.

It makes the best cream puff filling recipe for any occasion.

Brief Overview

This vanilla pastry cream recipe is inspired by classic French patisserie. The cream puff dessert is surprisingly straightforward. It brings a touch of elegance to any table.

It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, including chilling time. You'll get enough to fill around 12-15 cream puffs .

Main Benefits

This homemade cream puff filling is not just delicious, it is also satisfying. The vanilla bean adds a touch of sophistication.

Serve these filled puff pastry desserts at your next afternoon tea. This recipe is special because it tastes and feels like it's from a posh bakery, but you made it yourself! It is a perfect pastry cream for eclairs too.

Ready to get started? You'll need a few essential ingredients. Get your apron on, we are about to create something truly amazing! This Cream Puffs Recipe Easy will make you the star baker in no time.

Let's dive right in!

Classic Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:15 Mins

Servings:12-15 cream puffs

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473ml) whole milk
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
• Pinch of salt
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup (113g) heavy cream, cold (optional, for a lighter texture)

Instructions:

• Heat milk with vanilla bean (and seeds) in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring almost to a simmer, then remove from heat and let steep for 15-20 minutes (remove vanilla bean).
• In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
• Whisk egg yolks into the sugar mixture until pale yellow. Gradually whisk in a small amount of the hot milk to temper the yolks.
• Pour the tempered yolk mixture into the saucepan with the remaining milk. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens into a custard.
• Remove from heat. Whisk in cold butter until melted and smooth. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve (optional, but recommended).
• Pour the pastry cream into a heatproof bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until completely chilled.
• Just before using, gently whisk the cold heavy cream into the chilled pastry cream for a lighter, more airy texture.
• Fill prepared cream puffs with the pastry cream using a piping bag or spoon.
• Dust with Icing Sugar.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:175

Fat:10g

Fiber:0g

Recipe Info

Category:Dessert

Cuisine:French

Ingredients & Equipment

Alright, so you wanna make amazing cream puffs? First, let’s talk ingredients and gear. Nothing too scary, promise!

Main Ingredients - The Dream Team

Here's what you need for that lush cream puff filling . Get the best you can afford!

• Milk: 2 cups (473ml) whole milk. Full fat is the way to go, folks. Seriously, skimping here is like using dish soap instead of shampoo. Trust me.
• Vanilla Bean: 1 , split & scraped. Or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (but bean is so much better). Good vanilla makes all the difference. Like, night and day different.
• Sugar: ½ cup (100g) granulated. Standard white stuff.
• Cornstarch: ¼ cup (30g) . This is how we thicken things up.
• Salt: A pinch. Just a wee one.
• Egg Yolks: 4 large. Keep the whites for something else. Meringues, anyone?
• Butter: 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted, cold, cubed. COLD, I say!
• Heavy Cream: ½ cup (113g) , cold (optional). This makes it extra light.

Seasoning Notes - Flavour Power!

Vanilla is your star here. No skimping! Use the best you can. The salt enhances the sweetness. A little secret weapon.

For Chocolate Pastry Cream , add 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa. Easy peasy.

Equipment Needed - The Bare Essentials

You don’t need the whole kitchen. Just these.

• Saucepan: Medium size.
• Whisk: For stirring, of course.
• Heatproof Bowl: For chilling the cream puff filling .
• Plastic Wrap: To prevent a skin from forming! No one likes skin on their custard.
• Fine-Mesh Sieve: (Optional) Extra smooth filling? Strain it!
• Piping Bag: (Optional) For filling those puffs like a pro.

Honestly, you can get away with a spoon if you're feeling rustic. It's your cream puff dessert , after all.

I remember once trying to make this in my student digs. No sieve, ancient whisk. The results were… characterful. But still delicious! This easy cream puff filling made it worthwhile.

We need this vanilla pastry cream recipe , it is in fact the best cream puff filling recipe .

Right then, let's get down to business! We're making cream puff filling .

Honestly, is there anything more tempting than a perfect cream puff? This classic vanilla bean pastry cream is going to be your new best friend, and that's a promise!.

Cream Puff Dreamin': Classic Vanilla Pastry Cream

This isn't just any filling, love. This is the cream puff filling . A luscious, silky-smooth, vanilla-infused delight that's surprisingly easy to make.

This easy cream puff filling is inspired by classic French patisserie. Get ready to impress your mates!.

Prep Like a Pro: The Mise en Place

First things first, prep is key. Get all your ingredients measured out. Slice that vanilla bean and scrape out those precious seeds.

It's like finding buried treasure!. Safety first! Make sure that all your surfaces are clean and your hands are washed.

Here’s what you need: 2 cups whole milk , 1 vanilla bean , 1/2 cup granulated sugar , 1/4 cup cornstarch , a pinch of salt, 4 egg yolks , 2 tablespoons cold butter , and optional 1/2 cup heavy cream .

This vanilla pastry cream recipe will soon blow your mind.

Pastry Perfection: The Step-by-Step

1. Warm up the milk and vanilla in a pan. Let it steep for 15- 20 minutes .
2. Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl.
3. Whisk yolks into the sugar mix until light and pale.
4. Slowly pour some hot milk into the yolks. Whisk like mad to temper them.
5. Pour yolk mixture back into the pan with the milk. Cook over medium heat, constantly whisking. Cook until thickened into a custard ( 10- 15 minutes ).
6. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until its melted and smooth. Strain if needed.
7. Chill for at least 1 hour . I usually leave it for longer.
8. Fold in heavy cream if using. Fill those cream puffs with your homemade cream puff filling . Dust with icing sugar.

Expert-Level Tricks

• Prevent curdling : Whisk, whisk, whisk! If it starts to curdle, take it off the heat immediately.
• For a super smooth cream puff dessert , strain the custard through a sieve.
• Don’t skip the chilling! It needs that time to set up properly. Easy Cream Puffs Recipe

So there you have it! Your ticket to puff pastry desserts heaven. This best cream puff filling recipe will not disappoint.

Now, go forth and create some magic with these puff pastry recipes dessert .

Right then, that’s the groundwork.

Recipe Notes to Elevate Your Cream Puffs Recipe Easy

Let's talk about making this cream puff dessert extra special! Honestly, the cream puff filling can make or break these little beauties.

Here are a few tips, tricks, and ideas I've picked up along the way, so your puff pastry desserts are a total triumph!

Fab Serving Suggestions

Fancy a bit of flair? For presentation, dust your filled cream puffs generously with icing sugar. It's a classic look! You could also drizzle with melted chocolate or caramel.

Plating wise, arranging them in a pyramid or around a bowl of fresh berries looks dead impressive.

Complementary sides? Oh my gosh! Fresh berries and whipped cream are always a winner. Or, for a more sophisticated touch, pair them with a light dessert wine.

Think Sauternes if you're feeling posh, or even just a Moscato D'Asti will do!

Clever Storage Tips

Right, so you've made a batch. How long will these cream puffs last? Keep the unfilled pastry shells at room temperature in an airtight container. The unfilled shells are still the best!

For the easy cream puff filling , store the pastry cream in the fridge covered with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.

Honestly, nobody wants a skin on their vanilla pastry cream recipe .

Refrigerate filled cream puffs for no more than 24 hours , or they'll become soggy. Freezing is not recommended because it can affect the texture of the pastry.

Adaptable Variations

Fancy a twist? For a dietary adaptation, try a chocolate pastry cream for eclairs by adding cocoa powder. Alternatively, sub out a fourth of the milk with lemon juice and zest for a zesty lemon cream puff recipe .

For seasonal swaps, in the summer, use fresh strawberries or raspberries. In autumn, go for a spiced apple homemade cream puff filling .

It's all about using what's in season and at its best. You know?

Nutrition Info Basics

Let's get real, these are a treat! Each serving has approximately 150-200 calories, 4g of protein, 10g of fat, and 15g of carbs.

But, hey, life's too short to count every calorie, innit?

They do provide some calcium (from the milk) and a bit of protein. That being said, these are more of a joy than a health food.

So don't feel guilty, just savor every bite of this best cream puff filling recipe .

So there you have it! A few extra thoughts to make your puff pastry recipes dessert experience even more brilliant.

Don’t be afraid to experiment! Now go make some absolutely amazing cream puffs ! You got this!