Ingredients:
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup of cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 6 ounces of dark chocolate, finely chopped
Instructions:
Step 1: Heat the milk
In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt until well combined.
Step 3: Temper the eggs
Add the egg yolks to the dry ingredient mixture and whisk until smooth. Gradually pour in the hot milk while continuing to whisk vigorously. This process, known as tempering, helps prevent the eggs from curdling.
Step 4: Cook the mixture
Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute while stirring continuously.
Step 5: Add the butter, vanilla, and chocolate
Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the butter, vanilla extract, and chopped chocolate. Stir until the butter and chocolate are melted and the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 6: Strain the pastry cream
To ensure a silky smooth texture, strain the pastry cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl. This will remove any lumps or bits of cooked egg.
Step 7: Cover and chill
Place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until chilled and set.
Step 8: Use as desired
Your homemade chocolate pastry cream is now ready to be used in your favorite desserts. Fill tart shells, pipe into eclairs, or layer between cake layers for an indulgent treat.
With this step-by-step guide, making chocolate pastry cream from scratch is easier than you might think. So go ahead and take your desserts to the next level with this delicious and versatile filling.