In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining ¼ cup of sugar.
Add the cornstarch and whisk until smooth and pale, about 2–3 minutes.
3. Temper the Eggs
Once the milk mixture is warm, slowly pour about ⅓ of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. This step raises the temperature of the eggs gradually to prevent curdling.
Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk.
4. Cook the Pastry Cream
Return the saucepan to medium heat.
Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 2–3 minutes.
Let the cream cook for an additional 1–2 minutes to fully activate the cornstarch.
5. Finish the Pastry Cream
Remove the saucepan from heat.
Stir in the butter until fully melted and incorporated. If using vanilla extract, add it now.
For a silky texture, strain the pastry cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
6. Cool and Store
Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming.
Allow the cream to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours.
Tips for Success
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh milk, eggs, and butter result in the best flavor and texture.
Stir Constantly: This ensures the cream is smooth and prevents lumps.
Strain for Perfection: Straining removes any small lumps or cooked egg bits, ensuring a velvety consistency.
Prevent Skin Formation: Plastic wrap directly on the surface is key to maintaining a smooth texture.
Variations
Chocolate Pastry Cream: Stir 4 oz (113 g) chopped dark chocolate into the hot pastry cream after removing it from heat. Mix until fully melted and smooth.
Coffee Pastry Cream: Dissolve 2 tbsp instant coffee granules into the warm milk mixture before combining with the eggs.
Uses for Pastry Cream
Éclairs and Cream Puffs: Pipe cold pastry cream into éclairs or cream puffs for a classic French dessert.
Cake Filling: Spread between cake layers for a rich and smooth filling.
Tarts: Fill baked tart shells with pastry cream and top with fresh fruit for a stunning dessert.
