Name: Italian Pastry Cream Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup milk (whole or 2%); ¾ cup cream whipping/whole/heavy cream (at least 30% fat); 4 large egg yolks room temperature; ½ cup granulated sugar or fine sugar; 2½ tablespoons all purpose flour; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup milk ((divided)); ⅓ cup sugar; 3 large egg yolks; ½ teaspoon vanilla; 3 tablespoons flour ((whisk in a small bowl))

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This Italian Pastry Cream, is an easy creamy and rich vanilla flavored recipe. Made from scratch with simple ingredients. It is perfect for filling your favorite desserts such as cake, cookies pies and tarts! Careful before tasting it with a spoon, you might not stop!

If you are a lover of Italian pastries or even cakes, then learning to make an Italian Vanilla Pastry cream is definitely a must. And not nearly as hard as you may think. And don’t stop at this classic, this Chocolate Pastry Cream and Coffee Pastry Cream are also must tries!

This Traditional Italian Pastry Cream Recipe, is easy but you must give it 100 percent of your attention. From start to finish you need approximately 20 minutes.

Recipe Ingredients

Milk – 2% or whole milk, I would not recommend skim milk
Cream – whole, whipping or heavy cream with at least 30% fat
Egg yolks – room temperature
Sugar – granulated or fine
Flour – all purpose flour is used as a thickener for the cream
Vanilla – you can use vanilla extract or even vanilla bean paste, many Italians like to use the vanilla pods.

What is fine sugar?

Fine or Caster sugar is slightly finer and dissolves more easily than regular granulated sugar. You can substitute it at a 1 for 1 basis or you can make your own fine sugar just by blending granulated sugar until fine.

What are room temperature eggs?

Eggs should not be left at normal room temperature (68F- 70F/ 20C – 21C) for more than two hours or if your house is warmer no more than one hour. This is according to the FDA.

A quicker way to achieve room temperature eggs is to place the eggs in the shell in a bowl of warm or very warm water (not boiling or very hot) for 5 minutes, make sure the water is covering them, and then you will have room temperature eggs.

The difference between Custard and Pastry Cream

The difference is basically the eggs, whole eggs are used in custard and just egg yolks in pastry cream also known as crème patissière. Pastry cream is the perfect filling for pastries, pies and cakes, such as a Fresh Fruit Flan or Pumpkin Pastry Cream Crostata.

How to make the Perfect Pastry Cream

In a medium pot, heat over low the milk and cream, do not boil. Remove from heat and let cool to warm. In a medium pot add yolks and sugar, whisk together until combined, then add the flour and vanilla.

Place the pot over low / medium heat, slowly add the warm milk/cream mixture, whisking continuously until thickened, be sure to cook until thickened or you will have a runny pastry cream. It should have a silky texture.

With this recipe there is no need to strain it through a fine mesh strainer.

Pour the hot pastry cream into a heat resistant glass or ceramic bowl, cover the surface of the cream with a piece of plastic wrap (make sure wrap touches the cream mixture) and refrigerate at least 2-3 hours before using.

To bring the chilled cream back to a creamy consistency, it’s a good idea to either use a hand beater or strongly whisk it before using.

Tips for making the best Vanilla-Flavored Pastry Cream

When adding your hot milk/cream mixture make sure to let it cool a bit so that you don’t end up cooking the eggs.
The most important part? (the secret) Is to never stop stirring, this way you will have the perfect pastry cream without any lumps. Keep stirring until the pastry cream has thickened.
I find using a good whisk is the best way to get my Italian Pastry Cream perfect.
Then immediately place the hot cream in a glass or ceramic bowl, cover with plastic wrap, make sure the plastic is touching the pastry cream and refrigerate for at least a few hours before using.

Different ways to use Italian Pastry Cream

It makes a delicious filling for these Italian Cream Filled Pastries / Pasticiotti or even Layer Cakes, fresh fruit tarts or how about Bignè or cream puffs or even eclairs? Make sure you don’t start eating it with a spoon or you will end up having to make more!

Pastry cream in a bowl with a spoon beside it.

How long will Pastry Cream last in the Refrigerator?

The pastry cream will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to use fresh milk that has a longer expiry date.

Can it be frozen?

Never freeze pastry cream because it will never have the same creamy texture once it is thawed.

And if you have never tasted Italian Pastry Cream you must give it a go. You won’t be disappointed. Whatever you decide to fill with this Traditional Pastry Cream I certainly hope you enjoy it.

More Recipes to make with Pastry Cream