PASTRY CREAM

Makes 12 servings (about 2 cups)

INGREDIENTS

1⁄4 cup cornstarch 3⁄4 cup sugar (divided use) 2 cups whole milk (divided use) 4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten 1 pinch salt 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine the cornstarch with ¼ cup of the sugar in a mixing bowl, then stir in 1⁄2 cup of the milk. Blend the yolks into the cornstarch mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon until completely smooth.

Prepare an ice bath. Combine the remaining 1 1⁄2 cups milk with the remaining 1⁄2 cup sugar and the salt in a nonreactive saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat.

Temper the egg mixture by gradually adding about one-third of the hot milk mixture, whisking constantly. Add the remaining milk mixture to the eggs. Return the mixture to the saucepan and continue cooking over medium heat, vigorously stirring with a whisk, until the mixture comes to a boil and the whisk leaves a trail in the pastry cream, 5 to 7 minutes. As soon as the pastry cream reaches this stage, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and the butter.

Transfer the pan to the ice bath. Stir occasionally until the pastry cream is cool, about 30 minutes.

Transfer pastry cream to a storage container and place parchment or waxed paper directly on the surface. Cover the container tightly and refrigerate until needed, up to 3 days. Nutrition information per serving: 419 calories; 190 calories from fat; 21 g fat (12 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 155 mg cholesterol; 170 mg sodium; 54 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 32 g sugar; 7 g protein.