The Pastry Cream: A Fundamental Ingredient for Italian Cakes and Desserts
Pastry cream is a fundamental ingredient in the preparation of many traditional Italian cakes and desserts. This soft and delicate cream is composed of milk, sugar, eggs, and flour, and is used to fill cakes, cream puffs, doughnuts, and many other sweets. In this article, we will guide you through the preparation of pastry cream, providing you with tips and tricks to achieve a perfect result.
Ingredients
- 500 ml of milk
- 200 g of sugar
- 3 eggs
- 30 g of flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder (optional)
Preparation
- In a saucepan, bring the milk to a boil with the sugar, salt, and vanilla (if using).
- In another bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk until they are well whipped.
- Add the flour to the eggs and mix until it is fully absorbed.
- Once the milk has reached a boil, slowly pour it into the bowl with the eggs, whisking continuously.
- Return the saucepan to the heat and cook the cream over low heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens and forms a smooth and creamy texture.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cream cool to room temperature.
Tips and Tricks
- It is important to whisk the cream constantly while it cooks to prevent lumps from forming.
- If the cream does form lumps, don’t worry: simply pass it through a sieve or strainer to remove them.
- Pastry cream can be stored in the refrigerator for several days or frozen for several months.
- To obtain a lighter and airier cream, you can add a little whipped cream to the cooled cream.
Uses of Pastry Cream
Pastry cream is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different ways. Here are some examples:
- Filling cakes and cream puffs
- Filling doughnuts and bomboloni
- Preparing desserts like crème brûlée or crema catalana
- Using as a topping for ice cream and desserts
Conclusions
Pastry cream is a fundamental ingredient in the preparation of many traditional Italian cakes and desserts. With this recipe and the tips provided, you will be able to prepare a soft and delicate cream, perfect for filling cakes and cream puffs or using as a topping for ice cream and desserts. Try making it and discover how it can elevate your dessert to a new level of flavor and quality.