This Vanilla Bavarian Cream – called Crème Bavaroise in French – is a super light and flavourful cream filling or dessert. It is made from combining a Pouring Custard (Crème Anglaise), Gelatine and Whipped Cream.
What is Crème Bavaroise
Crème Bavaroise (or Bavarian Cream) is a traditional French Pastry recipe that combines Crème Anglaise (pouring Custard), Gelatine and Whipped Cream. It was created in France in 19th century by the chef Marie Antoine Carême.
It can be served on its own either in a cup like a Mousse or set in a mold like a Panna Cotta. Alternatively, it can be used as a Cream Filling for many pastries, desserts and cakes.
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What is Bavarian cream filling made of:
- Milk: use Full Cream / Whole Milk for the best flavour and texture. It will work with a plant-based / dairy-free milk too if needed.
- Vanilla: a fresh Vanilla Bean will give you the best flavour. Alternatively, use Vanilla Paste instead. Vanilla extract will work but wont give you as strong of a vanilla taste.
- Eggs: only the Egg Yolks, at room temperature. Keep the egg whites for another recipes like Financiers Cakes.
- Gelatine: I used Gelatine Powder dissolved in a little bit of cold water. You can use gelatine sheets or gelatine leaves instead too.
- Cream: Thickened or Heavy Cream – or a cream that contains at least 30% of fat. The fat content is very important here as a cream that has less than 30% fat wont whip.
- Chocolate: either add some cocoa powder to the milk or melt chocolate in the custard while still warm. For the chocolate option, the ratios will need to be slightly adjusted.
- Fruit: replace part (or all) of the milk with a fruit puree or juice like I did for this Lemon Meringue Cake.
- Coffee: add some instant coffee powder to the milk before heating it up to flavour the bavarian cream with coffee.
- Praline Paste: give your cream a delicious caramelised and nutty flavour with the addition of Hazelnut Praline Paste!
Why we love this recipe
Deliciously light and creamy, this Bavarian Cream is one of the most delicious cream filling or dessert you can make! Prepared with 6 simple ingredients, it is a delicate cream that is extremely versatile.
Bavarian Cream (Crème Bavaroise)
FAQ
What is the difference between Bavarian cream and Boston cream?
What is the difference between Bavarian cream and cream?
What is Dunkin Bavarian cream?
Is Bavarian cream white or yellow?
What is a vanilla Bavarian cream?
A classic French dessert that is delicious as it looks. A vanilla Bavarian Cream also called Creme Bavaria or Creme Bavarois is a custard-based dessert made with vanilla pastry cream as a base. Infused with vanilla or liquor then lightened with fresh whipped cream. A simple, easy, yet very impressive dessert that’s perfect at any time of the year.
Is Bavarian cream the same as pastry cream?
Do not confuse Bavarian cream with other custard creams such as pastry cream, creme anglaise, or cream mousseline. Bavarian cream is highly versatile and has a variety of purposes to enhance the flavor and texture of many desserts.
What is Bavarian cream made of?
Bavarian Cream is made from a Crème Anglaise base (milk, vanilla, egg yolks and sugar), thickened with Gelatine and lightened with Whipped Cream. Pastry Cream (or Crème Pâtissière) is relatively similar to a Crème Anglaise but is thickened on the stove with Cornstarch (or sometimes flour). It is richer and not as stable as a Bavaroise.
What is the difference between vanilla pudding and Bavarian cream?
The difference already becomes obvious with the ingredients: Vanilla pudding is made with starch and mild, while Bavarian Cream is made with eggs, gelatine, cream, and milk. The process to thicken or jel it is different. While you can make a vanilla pudding much faster, the Cream has a much better taste and a nice fluffy consistency.