pastry cream
noun
: a thick custard that is made of eggs, sugar, milk, flour or cornstarch, and usually flavoring and that is typically used as a filling for pastries and other baked goods
Once you've become comfortable with the technique for making pastry cream, opportunities abound for the versatile baker's staple. You can use it as a filling for cream puffs, éclairs, fruit tarts, and cakes …—
Kristina Razon
Kristina RazonPastry cream is an anomaly among custards. Although overheating a typical custard can lead to curdling, it's vital to bring pastry cream almost to a boil. Doing so sets the eggs and activates the starch, thereby ensuring a proper consistency.—Bryan Roof
Bryan RoofGuests will go wild for these little pies. They're at once delicate and decadent, the airy puffs of crisp meringue giving way to rich, vanilla-flavored pastry cream and a sprightly mix of fresh fruit.—Lillian Cho
Lillian ChoExamples of pastry cream in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But worked into a pastry cream filling, the sweet, honeyed flavor blooms beautifully to create something thrilling and memorable.
—Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
So then your pastry cream is the same stiffness.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
The cake was excellent with a warm cinnamon and vanilla flavor, but the pumpkin pastry cream, which was delicious by the way, just didn't have enough body to work as a filling.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025
Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on surface of the pastry cream.
—Emily Teel, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025
Get the recipe > Sweet corn pastry cream is layered with blueberry compote and buttery shortbread in this late-summer trifle.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
Its 6 fillings include hazelnut spread, pastry cream, pistachio spread, dark chocolate, apricot jam and mixed berry jam.
—Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
End your meal on a sweet note with one of their fun desserts, like the butternut squash cheesecake, served with a healthy dollop of honey-orange pastry cream and crunchy pecan.
—Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2025
Finish off with winter citrus pavlova—olive oil cake with yuzu pastry cream, mandarin pate de fruit, and caramelized pistachios.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
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Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
So then your pastry cream is the same stiffness.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
The cake was excellent with a warm cinnamon and vanilla flavor, but the pumpkin pastry cream, which was delicious by the way, just didn't have enough body to work as a filling.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025
Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on surface of the pastry cream.
—Emily Teel, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025
Get the recipe > Sweet corn pastry cream is layered with blueberry compote and buttery shortbread in this late-summer trifle.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
Its 6 fillings include hazelnut spread, pastry cream, pistachio spread, dark chocolate, apricot jam and mixed berry jam.
—Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
End your meal on a sweet note with one of their fun desserts, like the butternut squash cheesecake, served with a healthy dollop of honey-orange pastry cream and crunchy pecan.
—Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2025
Finish off with winter citrus pavlova—olive oil cake with yuzu pastry cream, mandarin pate de fruit, and caramelized pistachios.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pastry cream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastry%20cream. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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