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    Home » Recipes » Tarts

    Strawberry Pastry Cream

    August 20, 2023 by Amee 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Strawberry Pastry Cream is the perfect Summer spin on a classic recipe! It's creamy, delicious, and pretty in pink!

    White bowl of Strawberry Pastry Cream with a silver spoon in it.

    This post may contain affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I’ll never link to anything I don’t use and love! Click here for full disclosure and privacy policy.

    This Strawberry Pastry Cream is a delicious twist on a classic! The rich flavor, creamy texture, and beautiful color will make you swoon!

    If you enjoy this recipe, check out the posts for my Strawberry Peach Tart, Strawberry Filled Cupcakes, and Chocolate Pastry Cream!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • How to Use Pastry Cream
    • FAQs
    • Other Recipes You May Like
    • Strawberry Pastry Cream
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    Here is everything that you need to make this pretty pastry cream! Measurements for each of the ingredients is included in the recipe card, below.

    Strawberry Pastry Cream ingredients on a white background.
    • Strawberries - For fantastic flavor! I used fresh strawberries, but frozen will work, too!
    • Lemon Juice - To balance the sweetness from the strawberries.
    • Sugar - For sweetness. Note that the sugar is divided between the strawberry reduction and the pastry cream.
    • Milk - For moisture and richness.
    • Heavy (Whipping) Cream - For moisture and creamy richness.
    • Vanilla Bean Paste - For wonderful vanilla flavor and beautiful black flecks in the pastry cream!
    • Salt - Helps to balance and enhance the flavor of the pastry cream.
    • Egg yolks - SIX egg yolks for extra richness!
    • Cornstarch - To help the pastry cream to thicken.
    • Unsalted Butter - For richness and flavor. The butter will incorporate easier if diced and softened.

    Hint: If you don't have milk and cream, you can use half and half instead! Also, this recipe will leave you with some leftover egg whites. Check out my 25+ Recipes Using Egg Whites post for details on how to store them, and some fabulous recipes to use them in!

    Top view of a white bowl filled with Strawberry Pastry Cream surrounded by fresh strawberries.

    Instructions

    Here's how to whip up this recipe, step by step! More details are included in the recipe card, below.

    Making strawberry pastry cream, step 1.

    Cook strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar until berries have softened.

    Making strawberry pastry cream, step 2.

    Process strawberry mixture in a food processor, strain, then cook the juice until reduced. Set aside.

    Making strawberry pastry cream, step 3.

    Whisk cornstarch, sugar, and egg yolks until smooth. Set aside.

    Making strawberry pastry cream, step 4.

    Combine milk, cream, sugar, vanilla bean paste, and salt. Cook until boiling.

    Making strawberry pastry cream, step 5.

    Temper the egg mixture with some of the hot cream mixture, then pour the tempered egg mixture into the saucepan.

    Making strawberry pastry cream, step 6.

    Cook until thickened, then remove from the heat and mix in butter and strawberry reduction.

    Variations

    If you'd like to vary the flavor of the pastry cream, you can just leave it flavored with the vanilla bean paste, or change up the type of berry you flavor it with!

    Storage

    The pastry cream can be stored in the refrigerator, with plastic wrap pressed to the entire surface, for up to four days.

    If you'd like to freeze the pastry cream for longer storage, you'll need to switch out the cornstarch for flour as a thickener. While I prefer the cornstarch, it will not freeze well. The flour will thicken the pastry cream, and will freeze and thaw without compromising the texture. The pastry cream will keep in an airtight container for up to a month.

    Slice of Strawberry Peach Tart on a white plate.

    How to Use Pastry Cream

    Now you've got this gorgeous pastry cream, how do you use it? Other than just eating it with a spoon, that is!

    • Make a Tart - Pastry cream makes a fantastic tart filling! Top it with fresh strawberries and peaches and you've got my Strawberry Peach Tart!
    • Fill Cream Puffs - Strawberry cream puffs would be an excellent way to use this pastry cream! Use as-is, or lighten it up with some whipped cream folded into the pastry cream. My recipe for Cookie Dough Cream Puffs has a fantastic base recipe for cream puffs to start from!
    • Make a Trifle - How amazing would this pastry cream be layered with fresh fruit and pound cake? Both the recipes for my Lavender Pound Cake and Cornmeal Pound
      Cake
      would be amazing flavors to use!

    FAQs

    Can I make this pastry cream with other fruits?

    Absolutely! You can leave the pastry cream as vanilla or use another berry to flavor it.

    Any suggestions for using the leftover egg whites?

    Yes! Check out my 25+ Recipes Using Egg Whites post for details on how to store them, and some fabulous recipes to use them in!

    Other Recipes You May Like

    • Slice of Strawberry Peach Tart on a white plate.
      Strawberry Peach Tart
    • Slice of Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake on white plate.
      Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
    • Apricot Tart on a white plate with a slice missing.
      Apricot Tart
    • Top view of Chocolate Pastry Cream in a white bowl surrounded by pieces of dark chocolate.
      Chocolate Pastry Cream
    White Bowl of Strawberry Pastry Cream with fresh strawberries.

    Strawberry Pastry Cream

    Amee
    This Strawberry Pastry Cream is a delicious twist on a classic! The rich flavor, creamy texture, and beautiful color will make you swoon!
    4 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Chill Time 3 hours hrs
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Pastry Cream, Tarts
    Servings 64 Tablespoons (4 cups)
    Calories 37 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you bake!

    Ingredients
     
     

    Strawberry Reduction

    • 8 oz strawberries, quartered
    • 2 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 2 teaspoon sugar

    Strawberry Pastry Cream

    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
    • ½ cup sugar, divided
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste (see note)
    • pinch salt
    • 6 egg yolks
    • ¼ cup cornstarch (see note)
    • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, diced and softened (½ stick)
    • ¼ cup strawberry reduction, from above
    • pink food coloring, if desired (see note)

    Instructions
     

    For Strawberry Reduction

    • In a medium saucepan, combine strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar. Cook over medium heat until juice simmers and berries have softened.
    • Transfer mixture to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse the mixture until smooth. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the berry mixture, returning the juice to the saucepan. You should have about ½ cup juice.
    • Cook juice over medium-low heat until reduced to about ¼ cup. Remove from the heat and set aside.

    For Pastry Cream

    • In a small bowl, combine cornstarch (see note), ¼ cup sugar, and egg yolks. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.
    • In a medium saucepan, combine milk, cream, ¼ cup sugar, vanilla bean paste (see note), and salt. Cook mixture oven over medium heat until it reaches a boil. Remove from the heat.
    • Using a heatproof measuring cup, pour about one cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. This step tempers the eggs. Once the mixture is combined, pour the tempered egg mixture into the saucepan with the cream mixture.
    • Cook pastry cream over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it just starts to boil. Mixture will thicken as it cooks.
    • Remove the pan from the heat, and whisk the pastry cream until it cools slightly. Mix in butter and strawberry reduction until fully incorporated.
    • Pour the pastry cream into a medium bowl. Cover with plastic, pressing the wrap to the surface of the pastry cream to ensure it doesn't form a skin. Refrigerate until completely cooled, at least 3 hours.
    • The pastry cream can be stored in the refrigerator, with plastic wrap pressed to the entire surface, for up to four days.
      If you'd like to freeze the pastry cream for longer storage, switch out the cornstarch for flour as a thickener. While I prefer the cornstarch, it will not freeze well. The flour will thicken the pastry cream, and will freeze and thaw without compromising the texture. The pastry cream will keep in an airtight container for up to a month.
      Enjoy!

    Notes

    Note on cornstarch: If you'd like to freeze the pastry cream for longer storage, switch out the cornstarch for flour as a thickener. While I prefer the cornstarch, it will not freeze well. The flour will thicken the pastry cream, and will freeze and thaw without compromising the texture. 
    Note on vanilla bean paste: I always have vanilla bean paste on-hand and prefer it's flavor to extract, so that's what I use. If you don't want to use vanilla bean paste, you can add vanilla extract at the end of cooking the pastry cream.  
    Note on food coloring: While not necessary, as the pastry cream will still have a pretty pink color without it, you can add a few drops of pink food coloring if you'd like it to be more vibrant.
     

    Nutrition Estimate

    Serving: 1 tablespoonCalories: 37kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 3mgPotassium: 17mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 107IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.1mg

    Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate.

    Tried this recipe?I'd love to hear all about it! Leave a review below, then snap a pic and tag me on Instagram!
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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Jess

      February 14, 2024 at 12:24 am

      4 stars
      Recipe tasted great! The strawberry flavor really shines & perfect texture for pastry cream!
      The one thing I would note is the color turned grayish/ muddy looking after adding the strawberry mix to the pastry cream. I added 2 drops of red food coloring for a triple batch & it was then beautiful in pink.

      Reply

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