Homemade pastry cream is so versatile!  Every good baker should have a go-to recipe.  Learn how to whip up this creamy, egg-y filling like a pro, with this easy video tutorial!  (Gluten and dairy free.)

I use this homemade pastry cream as a filling in sooo many things! It's so rich and creamy, and the video tutorial makes it all so easy ;) #glutenfree #dairyfree

Good morning, friends!  How was your holiday weekend?  Ours was very busy, with birthday festivities, holiday celebrations, and lots of time with family.  Plus I am still in the process of getting everything back in order, after the big kitchen paint project.  I thought I would have been able to share lots of gorgeous pics with you by now, but it’s funny how these things always seem to take longer than we expect them to.  Look for something from me by the end of this week though, for sure!

For today’s post I’m sharing a basic recipe that every good baker should have in her back pocket.

I use this homemade pastry cream recipe as a filling in sooo many things! It's so rich and creamy, and the video tutorial makes it all so easy ;) #glutenfree #dairyfree

Pastry cream is a “building block recipe” that can be used in so many ways.  As a filling for cakes, eclairs, layered into parfaits, or as a base for a cream pie, you will never run out of uses for this versatile item.

I use this homemade pastry cream recipe as a filling in sooo many things! It's so rich and creamy, and the video tutorial makes it all so easy ;) #glutenfree #dairyfree

I think any time we hear about tempering eggs we tend to get a bit nervous, but this is truly so easy you could practically do it in your sleep.  To prove just how do-able homemade pastry cream can be, I made you a little video! You can find it in the recipe card below.

I use this homemade pastry cream recipe as a filling in sooo many things! It's so rich and creamy, and the video tutorial makes it all so easy ;) #glutenfree #dairyfree

Hopefully this shows how easy homemade pastry cream is to make.  If you’ve never tasted it before, it’s sort of like a cross between creme brulee and vanilla pudding.  I used to make huge hotel pans of it every week, back in my days in the professional kitchen, and we always used regular dairy milk.  But now, in my home kitchen, it’s just small batches, and lately I’ve really been loving coconut milk pastry cream, for a dairy-free option.  And it’s also naturally gluten-free, so this is a really great thing if you or someone you love has food allergies or sensitivities.

Some tools/ingredients you may need for this recipe:

This post contains affiliate sales links.

Print
Homemade Pastry Cream
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Chill Time
2 hrs
Total Time
30 mins
 

Homemade Pastry Cream is so versatile! Every good baker should have a go-to recipe. Learn how to whip up this creamy, egg-y filling like a pro! (Gluten and dairy free.)

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: creme patissiere, filling, pastry cream
Servings: 10 (a little over 1 1/2 cups total)
Calories: 109 kcal
Ingredients
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups milk (dairy, nut, soy, or coconut milk)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Place the yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine.
  2. Heat the milk in a small pot until small bubbles form around the edge, and wisps of steam are rising from the surface.

  3. Add the hot milk to the egg mixture, a little at a time, whisking to combine.  

  4. When all the milk has been added, transfer the mixture back to the pot and place over medium-low heat. Cook the pastry cream, whisking, until thickened.

  5. Stir in the vanilla, and pour the pastry cream through a fine mesh strainer, into a heat-safe bowl.  

  6. Use the back of a ladle to press the mixture through the sieve.  

  7. Press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface, and refrigerate.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Pastry Cream
Amount Per Serving
Calories 109 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 120mg 40%
Sodium 137mg 6%
Potassium 60mg 2%
Total Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Sugars 11g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin A 4.3%
Calcium 5.5%
Iron 1.6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.