Creme Patissiere (Vanilla Pastry Cream)

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 0.33 cups white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 eggs yolks
• 0.25 cups unsalted butter , cubed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. 1

   Whisk 1/3 of the cold milk and cornstarch together in a medium bowl until smooth.

2. 2

   Pour remaining milk and sugar into a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until milk begins to simmer; remove from heat and set aside.

3. 3

   Stir egg and egg yolks into cornstarch mixture; gradually whisk in hot milk. Pour mixture back into the small saucepan; cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Remove custard from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla until smooth.

5. 5

   Transfer into a bowl and cover directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin forming; allow to cool before using.