Vanilla Pastry Cream
Photo: Eva Kolenko; Styling: Kelly Allen
Lighter and more delicate than the filling often used in commercial bakeries, this pastry cream lets summer fruit be the star.
How to Make It
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.
Ingredients
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
Directions
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.
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