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    Home » Recipes » Frostings, Fillings, & Toppings

    Published: Apr 25, 2022 by Sloane · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Master Pastry Cream Filling Recipe

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    My go-to master pastry cream filling recipe is made with just 6 ingredients! All you need to make this recipe is egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, whole milk, butter, and vanilla bean paste.

    pastry cream filling recipe in white bowl.

    This pastry cream filling recipe is super simple, versatile, and delicious! The egg yolks give it a gorgeous natural yellow color and the vanilla paste adds those beautiful vanilla bean specks! Pastry cream goes with just about anything - use it as a filling for a fruit tart, as the base for a german buttercream, or in these Boston Cream Whoopie Pies!

    For more light and creamy dessert recipes, try Banana Pudding Jars, Lemon Blueberry Jam Cake, and Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Expert Baking Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Baking in Grams
    • More recipes using pastry cream
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Ingredient Notes

    • Egg Yolks: You'll need 4 large egg yolks for this recipe. 
    • Sugar: Just enough granulated sugar is added to sweeten this pastry cream. You could also substitute an equal amount of brown sugar for a rich molasses taste, similar to the pastry cream in this Ginger Molasses Cranberry Pie. 
    • Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps to thicken the pastry cream to the perfect consistency.
    • Milk: I recommend using whole milk for optimum flavor. 
    • Butter: Use room temperature unsalted butter. 
    • Vanilla: For best flavor, add a touch of vanilla bean paste. It also adds those beautiful vanilla bean specks! Alternatively, add an equal amount of vanilla extract.

    See recipe card for full information on ingredients and individual quantities.

    Step by Step Instructions

    Here are step by step photos and instructions on how to make this master pastry cream filling recipe! For the full ingredient list and method, see the recipe card at the end of this post.

    egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in glass bowl.
    STEP 1
    egg, sugar mixture tempered with simmering milk in glass bowl.
    STEP 2

    STEP 1: Whisk. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch together for 2-3 minutes until light in color.

    STEP 2: Temper. Heat the milk in a saucepan, and bring to a simmer or about 200 degrees F. Once the milk is simmering, slowly pour half into the egg-sugar mixture, whisking at the same time to temper the eggs. Pour everything back into the saucepan and heat over medium heat, whisking constantly as it thickens.

    butter and vanilla bean paste on top of cooked pastry cream in white saucepan.
    STEP 3
    STEP 4

    STEP 3: Add butter and vanilla. Once the pastry cream is thick and a few big bubbles come to the surface, continue whisking for one more minute, then remove from heat. Immediately stir in the butter and vanilla.

    STEP 4: Chill. Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl and press plastic wrap up against the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill in the fridge (preferably) overnight or until ready to use.

    Expert Baking Tips

    • It can be difficult to tell when milk is simmering sometimes, so it's best to go by temperature (200 degrees F).
    • If you're in a rush and cannot chill the pastry cream overnight, you can place the bowl of pastry cream in a large bowl with ice water and whisk constantly until it has come to room temperature.
    creme patissiere recipe close-up photo to show details.

    Recipe FAQs

    How to make pastry cream:

    Pastry cream is surprisingly simple to make. It involves whisking egg yolks with sugar and cornstarch, then tempering the mixture with simmering whole milk. The mixture is then transferred back to the stove and heated until thick, then butter and vanilla are stirred in. It's best to make the pastry cream the day before you need it, so it can chill in the fridge overnight.

    How to thicken pastry cream:

    Cornstarch is key to thickening your pastry cream to the right consistency!

    Storage Tips:

    Pastry cream is best stored in the fridge up to 5 days. Be sure to press plastic wrap up against the surface to prevent a skin from forming.

    vanilla bean pastry cream in white bowl with spoon.

    Baking in Grams

    All of the recipes on this blog are carefully developed with gram measurements so you can easily recreate them in your own kitchen with success. Volume measurements are extremely inaccurate and leave room for significant errors. Not all measuring cups are made equally, so your one cup of flour will be different from my one cup of flour. By providing precise measurements in grams (aside from minor ingredients, which are given in tsp/tbsp), you can make these recipes accurately and with less cleanup! All you need is this kitchen scale. 

    If this still isn't enough to convince you, I have provided volume measurements in the recipe card. If you are interested in understanding the conversions, this is the best conversion chart.

    But trust me, once you try baking in grams you'll never turn back!

    Happy baking! x

    More recipes using pastry cream

    • banana pudding jar with spoon on top of stacked plates
      Banana Pudding Jars
    • slice of lemon blueberry jam cake on white plate with fork
      Lemon Blueberry Jam Cake
    • strawberry cheesecake cookies stacked
      Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
    • boston cream whoopie pies in white bowl
      Boston Cream Whoopie Pies

    If you tried this recipe, I'd love to know how it turned out for you! Leave a star rating & review below and post a picture (or video!) on Instagram and tag me so I can see your bakes! Not ready to make this recipe yet? Click the heart button on the right of your screen to save it for later 🙂

    📖 Recipe

    pastry cream filling recipe in white bowl
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save for LaterSaved!

    Master Pastry Cream Filling Recipe

    My go-to master pastry cream filling recipe is made with just 6 ingredients!
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Servings1 batch
    CourseFilling
    CuisineAmerican
    AuthorSloane
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    Kitchen Scale
    Electric Hand Mixer

    Ingredients

    • 4 egg yolks
    • 100 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
    • 16 g (2 tablespoon) cornstarch
    • 227 g (1 cup) whole milk
    • 28 g (2 tablespoon) unsalted butter, room temp
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

    Instructions

    • In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch together for 2-3 minutes until light in color.
    • Heat the milk in a saucepan, and bring to a simmer or about 200 degrees F.
    • Once the milk is simmering, slowly pour half into the egg-sugar mixture, whisking at the same time to temper the eggs.
    • Pour everything back into the saucepan and heat over medium heat, whisking constantly as it thickens.
    • Once the pastry cream is thick and a few big bubbles come to the surface, continue whisking for one more minute, then remove from heat.
    • Immediately stir in the butter and vanilla.
    • Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl and press plastic wrap up against the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
    • Chill in the fridge (preferably) overnight or until ready to use.

    Notes

    • It can be difficult to tell when milk is simmering sometimes, so it's best to go by temperature (200 degrees F).
    • If you're in a rush and cannot chill the pastry cream overnight, you can place the bowl of pastry cream in a large bowl with ice water and whisk constantly until it has come to room temperature.

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 1035kcal | Carbohydrates: 130g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 865mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 428mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 114g | Vitamin A: 2106IU | Calcium: 380mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag @sloanes.table on Instagram and write a star review below!

    More Frostings, Fillings, & Toppings

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      5 Ingredient Sugared Cranberries
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      Caramelized White Chocolate
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      Easy Swiss Meringue Buttercream

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sylvia B says

      March 28, 2022 at 5:50 pm

      These Boston cream Whoopie pies are amazing! They were not to hard to make. Very yummy! They will be one of my regulars I will make often!!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sloane! Welcome to Sloane’s Table! I am a Dartmouth College alumna, professional baker, recipe developer, and food photographer. Here, you will find tried & true bakery-worthy recipes ranging from simple sweets to technical pastries.

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