Crème Fraîche Pastry Cream
 
Makes about 4 cups
Ingredients
  • 3 cups (720 grams) whole milk
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped and reserved
  • 8 large egg yolks (149 grams)
  • ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons (56 grams) cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (120 grams) crème fraîche
Instructions
  1. In a large saucepan, whisk together milk, ½ cup (100 grams) sugar, and vanilla bean and reserved seeds. Heat over medium heat until steaming. Discard vanilla bean.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, salt, and remaining ½ cup (100 grams) sugar. Gradually add warm milk mixture to egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return mixture to saucepan, and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and boiling, 4 to 5 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Stir in butter in two additions. Cover with a piece of plastic wrap, pressing wrap directly onto surface of cream to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until completely chilled, about 4 hours or overnight.
  3. Whisk pastry cream until smooth. Fold in crème fraîche. Use immediately.
Recipe by Bake from Scratch at https://bakefromscratch.com/mille-feuilles/