French Cream Filling Recipes

NO-FUSS PASTRY CREAM

Steps:

• Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk together milk and egg yolks in a glass measuring cup; add to saucepan along with butter and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let boil 1 minute, still whisking; then remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
• Strain pastry cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto surface of cream to prevent skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours and up to 2 days. Just before using, whisk until smooth.

OPERA CREAMS (AKS FRENCH CREAMS)

Steps:

• Combine sugar, cream, and cream of tartar in a 3-qt.
• heavy saucepan.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves.
• Cook to 236°F.
• Watch carefully to avoid boiling over.
• If sugar crystals form on the side of pan, wipe them off.
• (To prevent this problem, place the lid on just as candies start to boil, for 1 minute. This washes the crystals down automatically.) Pour out onto marble slab (do not scrape pan).
• Let stand until lukewarm, about 5-10 min.
• Work like fondant, until creamy& light in color.
• Add vanilla and work into mix.
• Shape in pieces as desired.
• Dip in melted chocolate.

FRENCH PASTRY CREAM

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat 2 cups milk to boiling.
• While milk is heating, whisk egg yolks, sugar and remaining 1/4 cup milk.
• Whisk in cornstarch and flour until smooth.
• Temper the egg mixture by slowly whisking in about 1/3 of the heated milk, then whisking in the remaining milk.
• Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until mixture thickens and boils.
• Whisk constantly.
• Reduce heat to low and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in vanilla or other flavorings.
• Pour into a bowl, press plastic wrap on the surface to prevent a skin from forming and cool to room temperature before chilling for at least 2 hours.