Low Carb Vanilla Pastry Cream
A great low carb vanilla pastry cream is the basis for many fantastic low carb desserts. This pastry cream is luxurious, gluten-free and easy to prepare.
Servings 10
Calories 141kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup almond milk
- ⅓ cup erythritol
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 2 large whole eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ teaspoon stevia glycerite or more erythritol
- ¾ teaspoon granulated gelatin sprinkled over 1 tablespoon water (I used Knox)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Ready a strainer by the stove.
- Place the cream and almond milk in a medium sauce pan or pot (about a 6 cup capacity), and turn the heat to medium - low.
- Add the erythriltol, cornstarch, xanthan gum, and salt to a medium heat-proof mixing bowl and mix together with a small whisk. Add the two whole eggs and 3 large yolks to the dry ingredients in the bowl and whisk together.
- When the cream simmers, turn-off the heat and while whisking the egg mixture continuously, pour all of the cream into the mixing bowl in a thin stream.
- Put the pot back on the stove and scrape the egg and cream mixture into the pot. Set the bowl next to the stove with a strainer over the top.
- Turn the heat to medium low and begin whisking the pastry cream mixture. Nothing will happen for about 2 ½ minutes and then it will start to thicken-up slightly. Whisk a little faster. At about the 3 - 3 ½ minute mark, it will begin to thicken. Whisk briskly and cook for 1 minute more BUT don't let the mixture boil or the eggs will scramble.
- Turn off the heat and remove the pot from the stove, still whisking briskly for another minute. Whisk in the vanilla, stevia glycerite, butter and proofed gelatin. Then, pour the pastry cream through the strainer, catching any cooked egg bits.
- To cool, push a piece of plastic wrap right on top of the surface of the pastry cream and place in the refrigerator OR make a water bath by putting ice and water in a large bowl, setting the smaller bowl with the pastry cream into the water bath, and stirring until cool. Then cover and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight to activate the genatin. Makes about 2 cups.
Notes
NOTE: I have tried subbing the cornstarch/arrowroot powder with glucommanan (konjac), guar gum, xanthan gum and a combination of them all. It produces a gloppy product with a slippery mouth feel. I tested the recipe extensively 2 years ago when I posted it.
I updated the original recipe (August 2016) and reduced the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch/arrowroot powder to 1 tablespoon and then added ¾ teaspoon of gelatin. It's my opinion that it isn't quite as good as the original, but it did reduce the net carbs by 1 per each serving.
I try very hard to develop recipes that have the best taste and texture - almost like the real thing. Sometimes I use a higer carb or specialty ingredient to help me achieve phenomenal results.
*** Makes 2 cups with ¼ cup per serving.
*** Makes 2 cups with ¼ cup per serving.
Nutrition Facts
Low Carb Vanilla Pastry Cream
Amount Per Serving
Calories 141
Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Protein 3g6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition
Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g