A Can Of Powdered Delight: Bavarian Creme Delights

Bavarian cream, also known as crème bavaroise or simply bavarois, is a French dessert that is a combination of panna cotta and ice cream. It is made with egg-based cooked custard (milk thickened with eggs), gelatin or isinglass, and whipped cream. The dessert is usually set in moulds and served with any flavour sauce of choice. It can also be used as a filling for cakes, pies, tarts, cream puffs, and doughnuts.

How to make Bavarian cream

Making Bavarian cream from scratch can be a little time-consuming, but it's a versatile dessert that can be used in many recipes. Here is a detailed guide on how to make it, adapted from various sources.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cold water
• 3 cups of milk
• 3-4 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1/2 to 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream
• Sugar (varying amounts)
• Salt

Method:

• Start by stirring together cold water and gelatin in a small bowl. Set this aside to soften.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
• Bring milk to a boil in a separate saucepan.
• Now, slowly pour the hot milk into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly to create a smooth custard.
• Return this mixture to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
• Strain the custard into a large bowl. Add the softened gelatin and vanilla, stirring until the gelatin is melted.
• Allow the custard to cool to room temperature.
• In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream to medium stiffness.
• Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled custard.
• Immediately pour the Bavarian cream into serving dishes, such as parfait glasses or moulds. You can also use it as a cake filling.
• Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Tips:

• You can add a light coating of butter to the serving dishes/moulds before pouring in the Bavarian cream.
• If using as a cake filling, ensure the cake is completely cooled before adding the Bavarian cream.
• For a fruit-flavoured variation, replace 1/2 to 3/4 cup of milk with fruit puree.
• For a coffee-flavoured variation, add 1-2 tablespoons of instant coffee granules to the custard.
• For a chocolate Bavarian cream, add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the custard while cooking.

Enjoy your homemade Bavarian cream!

Using Bavarian cream as a cake filling

Bavarian cream is a versatile dessert that can be used as a cake filling, or in pastries, donuts, banana pudding, and cupcakes. It is a traditional custard, similar to pastry cream but thickened with gelatin. The basic ingredients include egg yolks, sugar, milk, vanilla extract, gelatin, and whipped cream.

• Ensure your cake is completely cooled before adding the Bavarian cream.
• Create a dam by piping a ring of frosting along the edge of the cake layer to prevent the cream from leaking out.
• For a thicker layer of cream, double the recipe.
• Adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more whipped cream or powdered sugar to the heavy cream before whipping.
• If your cake is heavy, add more gelatin for a sturdier filling.
• To fill a cake, use a spatula to spread the Bavarian cream onto the cake layers.
• For a tasty variation, add a layer of strawberries or raspberries on top of the Bavarian cream between the cake layers.
• If you are filling cupcakes, a piping bag can be useful for adding the cream without making a mess.
• Always use a cooled cream mixture before adding the whipped cream to ensure the proper consistency.
• If you want to add some colour or flavour to your Bavarian cream, you can replace some of the milk with fruit puree or add cocoa powder.

Using Bavarian cream as a dessert

Bavarian cream, also known as crème bavarois or bavarois, is a delicious dessert that is super simple to make. It is a combination of panna cotta and ice cream, resulting in a creamy, silky smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Here are some tips on how to make and use Bavarian cream as a dessert:

Making Bavarian Cream:

The first step is to make crème anglaise or pouring custard. Heat milk in a saucepan until it steams, and whisk together egg yolks, sugar, salt, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Slowly add the hot milk to the egg mixture, constantly whisking to temper the eggs. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until the custard thickens. Once cooked, add butter and bloomed gelatin, whisking until dissolved. Set the custard aside to cool to room temperature.

While the custard is cooling, prepare your serving dishes or molds. Traditionally, fluted molds are used for a beautiful presentation. You can also serve the Bavarian cream in small dishes or as one big pudding in a tray.

Once the custard has cooled, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks and gently fold it into the custard until well combined. Pour the mixture into your prepared molds or dishes, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Bavarian cream is a versatile dessert that can be served in a variety of ways:

• As individual molded desserts: Unmold the Bavarian cream from the fluted molds and serve on plates.
• In small serving dishes: Serve the Bavarian cream without unmolding, providing individual portions for each guest.
• In a large dish: Serve the Bavarian cream as one big pudding, allowing guests to serve themselves.
• As a cake filling: Use Bavarian cream as a layer within cakes for a decadent treat.
• As a topping: Try using Bavarian cream as a topping for cobbler or other desserts.
• As a filling: Fill donuts, cream puffs, or pastries with Bavarian cream for a creamy treat.
• As a frosting: Use Bavarian cream as a unique frosting for cakes or cupcakes.
• In a charlotte: Line a mold with ladyfingers and fill it with Bavarian cream for a traditional dessert.
• On its own: Simply mound the Bavarian cream in a bowl and top with fresh fruit for a simple yet delicious dessert.

Flavor Variations:

You can easily customize the flavor of Bavarian cream to suit your taste preferences:

• Coffee bavarian cream: Add instant coffee granules to the custard.
• Chocolate bavarian cream: Stir in cocoa powder while cooking the custard.
• Fruit-flavored bavarois: Replace some of the milk with fruit puree or freeze-dried powder.
• Butterscotch bavarois: Swap out the white sugar for dark brown or muscavado sugar.
• Tea-infused bavarois: Infuse the milk with tea by steeping it in hot milk before making the custard.

Storage and Serving Tips:

Bavarian cream is best served fresh, as it does not freeze well or last long in the fridge due to its egg and dairy content. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but it is recommended to make it the day before serving for the best quality. Always cover it well when storing, and enjoy your creamy, delicious dessert!

The history of Bavarian cream

Bavarian cream, also known as crème bavarois or bavarois, is a custard-based dessert that is typically set in moulds and served as individual portions, or in a tray for people to help themselves. It is made with crème anglaise, gelatin, and whipped cream, and can be flavoured with chocolate, coffee, fruit, or other ingredients.

The exact origins of Bavarian cream are unknown, but it is thought to have originated in South Germany (Bavaria) or France. During the 17th and 18th centuries, many French chefs worked at the court of the Wittelsbach Princes, a German family that ruled Bavaria from the 12th century to 1918. It is possible that these chefs learned the recipe for Bavarian cream while working in Bavaria and brought it back to France, where it was then known as Crème Bavaroise (Bavarian Cream). The famous French chef Carême, who worked in the early 18th century, included recipes for Bavarian cream in his cookbooks.

Bavarian cream can be served in a variety of ways, including as a cake or pastry filling, or as a doughnut filling (as made famous by Dunkin' Donuts). It can also be garnished with fruit or a sweet sauce.

Other custard desserts

Bavarian cream, also known as crème bavarois, is a custard-based dessert. Custards are a timeless classic and are enjoyed all over the world. Here are some other custard-based desserts:

Vanilla Custard Desserts

Vanilla custard desserts are creamy treats with a smooth custard base infused with vanilla. They can come in the form of puddings, tarts, mousse cakes, or crème brûlées. Some examples include:

• Kremšnita – a dessert made of sheets of crispy puff pastry, filled with vanilla custard, also known as cremeschnitte, krempita, kremšnita, krémes, cremsnit, and cremes.
• Canelés (Cannelés) de Bordeaux – French pastries with a crispy caramelized crust and a soft custard interior.
• Flan Cake – a dessert that combines silky flan with a moist vanilla sponge cake and caramel topping.
• Vanilla Meringue Mousse Cake – a cake with two vanilla sponge layers filled with vanilla meringue mousse, topped with chocolate glaze and decorated with fresh raspberries.

Chocolate Custard Desserts

Chocolate custard desserts combine the lusciousness of custard with the decadent taste of chocolate. They can come in the form of choux pastry, mousse cakes, or chocolate flan. Some examples include:

• Chocolate Cream Puffs – chocolate cream puffs, filled with chocolate pastry cream and topped with chocolate ganache.
• Chocolate Eclair Cake – a dessert featuring two layers of fluffy chocolate choux pastry, sandwiched with a generous silky smooth chocolate cream filling.
• Chocolate Magic Custard Cake – a cake with a magical ability to separate into three distinct layers while baking, creating a creamy custard layer between a dense cake layer and a light and fluffy sponge layer on top.

Fruit Custard Desserts

Fruit custard desserts are a popular choice for special occasions or as a sweet treat any time of the day. They combine fruity and creamy flavours. Some examples include:

• Raspberry Mille Feuille (Napoleon) – a summer treat that combines fresh raspberries with custard.
• Strawberry Bread Pudding – a delightful and easy-to-prepare treat.
• Strawberry Clafoutis – a classic French dessert that combines fresh strawberries and creamy yogurt in a light and fluffy custard.
• Passion Fruit Cake Roll – a showstopping dessert filled with silky smooth vanilla pastry cream and tangy passion fruit curd.

Frequently asked questions