Nutella Pastry Cream Recipe: Indulge in Creamy Hazelnut Heaven

Indulge your taste buds with the delightful combination of Nutella and pastry cream in this delectable recipe. This creamy, chocolate-hazelnut filling is perfect for filling eclairs, donuts, or even spreading on your favorite pastry. Let's dive into this mouthwatering creation.

Nutella pastry cream is a twist on the classic pastry cream, infusing the rich flavors of Nutella into a velvety, smooth custard. The result is a harmonious blend of chocolate, hazelnut, and vanilla that will leave you craving more. So, let's get started on this irresistible recipe.

Ingredients and Preparation

The first step in creating this divine dessert is gathering your ingredients. You'll need a combination of both pantry staples and a few specialty items to create the perfect Nutella pastry cream.

Here's a list of ingredients you'll need:

• 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 tbsp (15ml) pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (125g) Nutella
• 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Creating the Pastry Cream Base

Begin by creating a pastry cream base. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, 1/4 cup of sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil and thickens. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and set it aside.

Cooking the Eggs

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar until the mixture is pale and thick. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from cooking.

Once fully combined, pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil and thickens again. This should take about 2-3 minutes.

Adding Nutella and Finishing the Cream

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the Nutella until it's fully incorporated. The heat of the pastry cream will melt the Nutella, creating a smooth, creamy mixture.

Stir in the vanilla extract and cold butter, one cube at a time, until the butter is fully melted and incorporated. This will give the pastry cream a rich, velvety texture.

Chilling the Pastry Cream

Pour the Nutella pastry cream into a clean bowl and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate the cream for at least 2 hours, or until it's completely chilled and ready to use.

Once chilled, your Nutella pastry cream is ready to fill your favorite pastries or simply enjoy it on its own. The combination of chocolate, hazelnut, and vanilla creates a unique and delicious flavor that's sure to become a favorite.

Embrace the joy of baking and create something truly special with this Nutella pastry cream recipe. Happy cooking!