Light sweetness and a soft custard feel make Creme Patissiere a natural fit for desserts that need a creamy layer. Spread it in cakes, pipe it into pastries, or spoon it under fresh fruit.
If you’ve enjoyed a cream puff, an éclair, or a Boston cream pie, you already know pastry cream. Creme Patissiere is a simple vanilla custard-style filling used in pastries, fruit tarts, doughnuts, and many other desserts.
It adapts well to different uses. You can beat it with softened butter to make a richer crème mousseline for cakes, and it works very well in my Mille-Feuille recipe. It’s quick to prepare, keeps well in the fridge, and is always useful to have on hand when you’re baking.
What Is Pastry Cream?
Pastry cream, also called Crème Pâtissière, is a cooked custard made with milk, egg yolks, sugar, and flour or cornstarch for thickening. It is smooth, rich, and holds its structure once cooled.
It is the classic filling used in éclairs, cream puffs, fruit tarts, layer cakes, and many traditional French and Italian desserts.
What I Like About This Creme Patissiere
- Uses simple pantry ingredients, so you can make it anytime without planning ahead.
- Comes together quickly on the stove, which makes it practical on busy baking days.
- Works well as a standalone cream and fits easily into many desserts without needing extra additions.
Key Ingredients for Creme Patissiere
Milk
Whole milk gives the cream a smooth finish and a fuller flavour. Lower-fat milk works, but the texture becomes lighter and less rounded.
Egg Yolks
Provide richness and give the cream its natural yellow colour. Yolks also contribute to a smoother texture as the cream thickens on the stove.
Sugar
Sweetens the mixture and helps the yolks whip to a pale base. White sugar keeps the flavour clean and lets the vanilla stand out.
Vanilla Extract
Adds warmth and depth and lifts the overall flavour of the cream. Vanilla bean or paste works as well if you prefer a stronger aroma.
Find the complete list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Creme Patissiere
Step 1: Using an electric mixer, whip the egg yolks and sugar until pale and fluffy.
Step 2: Add the vanilla extract to the milk and stir to combine.
Step 3: Slowly pour in the milk while whipping, add the sifted flour, and mix until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a pot and heat over medium until it comes to a boil.
Step 4: Reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes, stirring with a whisk, until the cream thickens.
Step 5: Remove from the heat and let it cool before using.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In this recipe, the milk, yolks, sugar, and flour are whisked together while still cold, then warmed slowly on the stove. Tempering is only needed when hot milk is added straight to raw yolks.
The cream needs enough time on medium heat to reach a full boil while you whisk. It continues to firm up as it cools, but proper thickening starts in the pot.
A smooth texture comes from gradual heating and fully mixed flour. Sifting the flour and whisking steadily as the cream thickens helps prevent lumps.
Vanilla extract works well and mixes smoothly into the cream. You can also use a vanilla pod, but the milk needs to be heated with the pod and left to infuse for about 15 minutes before using the vanilla-flavoured milk in the recipe.
Extra Help from the Kitchen
Use a Heavy-Bottomed Pot – Steady, even heat keeps the cream from catching on the base and helps it thicken cleanly without forming dark spots at the bottom of the pot.
Sift the Flour – Early sifting removes small clumps and helps the mixture stay smooth from the start, which means the cream cooks evenly and needs less work after thickening.
Watch for the First Bubble – Once the cream starts to boil, the first bubble tells you the mixture has reached the right temperature to thicken fully without overcooking.
Whisk Before Using – Creme Patissiere firms up in the fridge, so whisking before filling pastries returns it to a soft, even consistency that spreads smoothly.
Variations and Twists
Chocolate Pastry Cream – Melt dark chocolate and stir it into the thickened cream to create a deeper version suited for cakes, pastries, and layered desserts.
Banana Pastry Cream – Mash ripe banana and blend it into the cooled cream to create a smooth banana filling that works well for trifles or pudding-style desserts.
Strawberry Pastry Cream – Add finely ground freeze-dried strawberry powder to the warm custard for a natural berry flavour and a thicker texture.
Lemon Pastry Cream – Warm the milk with finely grated lemon zest to add a clear citrus note that pairs with fruit desserts or simple cakes.
Ways to Use Creme Patissiere
Desserts – Works well in fruit tarts, trifles, pudding cups, and glass desserts. It adds a soft custard layer that rounds out the flavours.
Filling – Fits nicely inside éclairs, profiteroles, doughnuts, choux buns, and sponge cakes. Each pastry gets a smooth, custard-like centre with a gentle sweetness.
Layered Pastries – Sits evenly between pastry sheets for Mille-Feuille or puff pastry slices. The contrast between the crisp layers and the soft filling creates a balanced bite.
Cakes – Spreads easily between sponge layers, inside a roulade, or under fresh fruit. It gives cakes a light richness without making them heavy.
Fruit Desserts – Balance berries, peaches, citrus, or bananas. The cream forms a smooth base that supports the fruit’s freshness and ties the flavours together.
Chilled Treats – Works well with small glasses with biscuits or crumble. It forms a smooth base that turns simple ingredients into a refreshing dessert.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store Crème Patissiere in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Press cling film directly on the surface before closing the container to keep the texture smooth.
Freezing is not recommended because the cream loses stability once thawed. Whisk briefly after chilling to restore an even texture before filling pastries or cakes.
Creme Patissiere Recipe (French Pastry Cream)
Light sweetness and a soft custard feel make Creme Patissiere a natural fit for desserts that need a creamy layer. Spread it in cakes, pipe it into pastries, or spoon it under fresh fruit.
Ingredients
- 250 ml – 1 cup milk
- 25 g – 0.9 oz flour – sifted
- 3 egg yolks
- 75 g – 5 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
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Using an electric mixer, whip the egg yolks and sugar until pale and fluffy.
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Add the vanilla extract to the milk and stir to combine.
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Slowly pour in the milk while whipping, add the sifted flour, and mix until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a pot and heat over medium until it comes to a boil.
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Reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes, stirring with a whisk, until the cream thickens.
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Remove from the heat and let it cool before using.
Recipe Notes
- You can use a vanilla pod as an alternative to vanilla extract. Split it open, add it to the milk, warm it gently, and leave it to infuse for about 15 minutes before using the flavoured milk.
- If you need a gluten-free option, you can replace the flour with rice flour and follow the recipe as written.
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