Pastry Cream in 3 Minutes

Making custard quickly is possible using the microwave, which significantly reduces cooking time without compromising too much on flavor or texture. Here is a recipe to prepare pastry cream in approximately 3 minutes, ideal for when you need a quick filling for your desserts.

Ingredients:

1/2 liter of milk (500 ml)

4 egg yolks

100 g sugar (1/2 cup)

40 g cornstarch (1/3 cup)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Prepare the ingredients:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture is smooth and slightly pale.
• Dissolve the cornstarch in a little of the milk to form a smooth paste without lumps. Add this mixture to the rest of the milk and stir well.

Combine the mixture:

• Add the milk and cornstarch mixture to the bowl with the yolks and sugar. Stir everything well until completely combined. Add vanilla.

Cook in the microwave:

• Place the container in the microwave and cook on high power for 1 minute. Remove the bowl from the microwave (be careful, it will be hot) and beat the mixture well with a hand mixer or spoon.
• Place the container back in the microwave and cook for another minute. Remove and beat vigorously again. Repeat the process once more, cooking in 1-minute intervals and whisking between each interval, until the custard has thickened. This should take about 3 minutes total, but may vary depending on the power of your microwave.

Cool the pastry cream:

• Once the pastry cream has reached the desired consistency, cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming while it cools.

Use or store:

• Let the custard cool to room temperature. Then, you can use it immediately or refrigerate it until needed. Stir well before using if it has settled or separated slightly.

Tips:

• Avoid lumps:  Make sure to completely dissolve the cornstarch in the cold milk before combining it with other ingredients.
• Microwave:  The key to preventing the cream from cooking unevenly is to whisk well between each cooking interval.
• Personalization:  You can personalize the pastry cream by adding lemon zest, orange or even a touch of liqueur to give it a unique flavor.

This custard recipe is extremely quick and provides you with a delicious, smooth filling for your sweets and desserts, perfect for when you’re short on time!