John Barricelli's Pastry Cream

(1)
Yield:
5 cups

Ingredients

  • 4 cups whole milk

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped

  • Pinch of salt

  • 8 large egg yolks

  • ½ cup cornstarch

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine milk, 1/2 cup sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, and salt. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a simmer.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Whisking constantly, slowly pour about 1 cup of the hot-milk mixture into the egg-yolk mixture. Continue adding milk mixture, 1 cup at a time, until it has been incorporated. Pour mixture back into saucepan, and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens and begins to boil, about 2 minutes. Remove and discard vanilla bean.

  3. Transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add butter; beat on medium speed until butter melts and mixture cools, about 5 minutes.

  4. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours or up to 2 days. Just before using, beat on low speed until smooth (you can also whisk by hand).

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