Bavarian Cream Filling

This versatile Bavarian cream filling recipe is perfect for stuffing your favorite pastries and desserts. Bavarian cream is delicious served simply with fresh fruit, but this sweet pastry cream filling is also great for pies, cream puffs, and more!

What is Bavarian Cream?

Bavarian cream, known as Bayerische creme in German, is one of the quintessential German desserts. Although this thick custard vanilla-based filling is often credited to the French chef Marie-Antoine Carême with its creation in the late 1800s. This delicious dessert is commonly fortified with gelatin and set into molds to form its shape prior to serving.

Ingredients Needed

• Heavy whipping cream
• Vanilla extract - A vanilla bean can be substituted and simmered with the heavy cream instead.
• Unflavored Gelatin
• Milk - Cold water can be substituted if needed.
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Whipped cream

How to make it

Begin making your Bavarian cream by prepping the ingredients. The heavy cream and vanilla extract can be combined in a small saucepan. The Gelatin and milk should be mixed together and allowed to rest in a small bowl. And the sugar and egg yolks should be added to a separate medium bowl, then whisk egg yolks to fully combine with the sugar. (The egg whites can be discarded or used for another purpose)

Set the saucepan with heavy cream on the stovetop over medium heat and bring to a simmer, then shut off the heat and let cool slightly. Working with a couple of spoonfuls at a time, ladle small amounts of the warm cream into the bowl with the egg mixture to temper the eggs. It is important not to add too much hot cream at once or the eggs will curdle. If you are unsure of yourself, you can let the heavy cream cool to room temperature first.

Tip: If eggs curdle you can either start over or strain out the curds.

Once all of the cream and egg yolks have been combined add the mixture to a double boiler set over boiling water. Let the mixture cook until it thickens like a pudding then remove from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin and milk mixture. Next, fold in the whipped cream.

Your Bavarian cream will firm up as it sets, so it can be placed in molds to shape as desired. Place it in the refrigerator until fully chilled.

How to serve it

• Place in molds and serve topped with a fruit puree, fresh berries. or other fresh fruit.
• Use as a filling for a pie.
• Serve on puff pastries.
• Use for Bavarian cream donuts.
• Use as a filling for chocolate cupcakes.
• Use as a cake filling inbetween cake layers. This woudl be particularly delicious with chocolate cake!

How to store it

Your Bavarian cream needs to be refrigerated because it is made with dairy and egg products. It is best placed in an airtight container, or cover in plastic wrap, to avoid odors from the fridge altering its flavor. Enjoy within 3 to 5 days.

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