The Key to the Ideal Pastry Cream

The New York Times Recipes: The Key to Perfect Pastry Cream

Guidelines

Get the milk mixture ready.

Half the granulated sugar (1/4 cup) and the whole milk should be combined in a medium pot.

the vanilla bean’s seeds. Add vanilla extract last, if using.

After setting the pot on medium heat, carefully simmer the mixture. Stir from time to time to

make sure the sugar gets dissolved.

Get the egg mixture ready.

Whisk together the egg yolks, 1/4 cup of the remaining granulated sugar, and the

cornstarch until the blend is creamy and light in hue. It will need two to three minutes.

Gently Warm the Eggs:

When the milk mixture is heated, gradually add around one-third of it to the egg mixture while continuously whisking to

soften the eggs. This stage gradually raises the temperature of the eggs so they don’t curdle.

Return the tempered egg mixture and the remaining hot milk to the pot, and continue to

Always stir the mixture.

Heat the pastry cream.