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    Home » Desserts » Italian Lemon Pastry Cream Recipe

    Italian Lemon Pastry Cream Recipe

    March 18, 2018 , Updated March 28, 2025 Maria 53 Comments

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    A bowl of pastry cream surrounded by lemon peels and lemons.

    A rich and thick lightly scented lemon-infused pastry cream recipe made with eggs, milk, sugar, cornstarch, butter and a pinch of salt. This gluten-free pastry cream is called crema pasticcera in Italian and is an essential component in so many Italian desserts. Follow the tips included to make the best pastry cream!

    A bowl of pastry cream surrounded by lemon peels and lemons.

    What do éclairs, Napoléons, cream puffs, Boston Cream Pie, tarts, Zuppa Inglese and so many other desserts have in common?

    If you guessed pastry cream, you would be right!

    Pastry cream also referred to as crème pâtissière in French and crema pasticcera in Italian, is (according to Wikipedia) a thick custard made from a mixture of cooked ingredients.

    These cooked ingredients usually consist of:

    • milk
    • eggs
    • starch
    • sugar and
    • flavorings.

    … and you won’t believe how easy they all come together to make the most luxurious filling. 

    Instructions

    The whole process begins by infusing 2 cups of milk with one organic lemon peel.

    The addition of lemon peel to milk.

    So, in a heavy, medium saucepan, combine the lemon peel and milk over medium heat. When the milk starts to steam, remove it from heat and allow it to stand for about 10 minutes. During this time, the milk will get infused with the lemon.

    While the milk is being infused with the lemon, let’s start cracking the eggs.

    In a glass bowl, whisk the room temperature eggs ( 2 egg yolks plus 1 whole egg) with ½ cup of granulated sugar for about 1 minute. 

    Add 3 tablespoons of sifted cornstarch and a pinch of salt. Whisk continuously for about 5 minutes or until the mixture becomes light-colored.

    The before and after pictures of the color changes of whisking eggs, cornstarch and sugar together for a few minutes.

    Notice how the mixture becomes lighter and paler in color after just five minutes of whisking. Whisking the dry ingredients with the eggs is key if we want a smooth and thick consistency.  So don’t be shy… whisk away!

    The next step is to combine the two mixtures.

    Remove the lemon peel from the warm milk. While whisking continuously, add a ladle of warm milk to the egg mixture. Then, gradually add all the milk while whisking continuously.

    It’s now time to transfer the newly formed egg and milk mixture back to the saucepan over medium/medium-low heat.

    Whisk continuously for about 5 minutes. You will notice that the mixture will thicken. Do not allow the mixture to come to a boil, as this can potentially cause the mixture to separate.

    Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.

    The final step in making pastry cream is the incorporation of butter.

    The whisking of 2 tablespoons of butter into the finished product is optional, but it guarantees to add flavor and a lovely gleam to the finished product.

    Plastic wrap is placed in direct contact with the pastry cream.

    The final step is to transfer this Italian cream to a glass or ceramic bowl and place a piece of plastic film directly on the custard. This will prevent the creation of a film or skin on the cream.

    Allow the mixture to cool for 20 minutes and then refrigerate.

    The only thing left to do is to wait a couple of hours for your pudding to get cold.

    Congratulations! You have just made the best pastry cream!!!

    Flavor variations

    • vanilla
    • almond
    • chocolate or cocoa
    • coffee
    • liqueurs (like Limoncello)
    • fruit purees

    Tips

    • Allow ingredients to come to room temperature before beginning the recipe.
    • Use a saucepan with a heavy bottom. Avoid using aluminum as this will create a grayish-looking cream.
    • Whisk continuously.
    • If your bowl is spinning away from you when combining the warm milk with the eggs, simply place a humid tea towel under your mixing bowl.
    • Use medium-low to medium heat to prevent the eggs from curdling.
    • Strain warm pastry cream through a strainer if ever the mixture forms any lumps.
    • Constant stirring! Yes, I said this already but it is important -no distractions so put away that cell phone.
    • The consistency is perfect for cream puffs and eclairs. 
    • If making a layered cake (for example Boston Cream Pie), adding 1 teaspoon of cornstarch will create a thicker cream.
    • If using whole milk, the addition of butter is not necessary. 

    How to store

    This thick and creamy Italian custard must be stored in the refrigerator and only for 4 days. Unfortunately, it splits when frozen so this is not an option.

    It is recommended to keep the plastic film directly on the surface of the cream to prevent a thick film from forming. If a crust forms, it is best to remove it. 

    Flour or cornstarch?

    Please note that the proportions and type of the ingredients used to make a vanilla cream filling can vary greatly. The type and amount of starch used to thicken the custard is just one example.

    I prefer using cornstarch, not only does this create a gluten-free pastry cream, but there is no “floury” aftertaste.

    I have tried so many ratios of flour to cornstarch over the years… once again, I am only sharing my personal preference.

    Whole milk or 2%?

    Using full-fat milk provides you with a rich and creamy pastry filling. That being said, the same results can be obtained by using 2 % milk and the addition of butter. 

    Pastry cream in a bowl.

    Recipe origins

    I was fortunate to live with two amazing women who just loved to cook and bake. It goes without saying that my mom and grandmother provided me with so much support and guidance as I began to show an interest, especially in baking.

    The initial inspiration for this crema pasticcera came from my mom. Through the years, I switched things around to suit my personal preferences.

    The end result is a rich, smooth and decadent filling that is just perfect for so many wonderful treats including these Zeppole di San Giuseppe.

    Enjoy!

    THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

    And if you are new here, welcome! You may want to sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter. You can unsubscribe any time you want.

    Ciao for now,

    Maria

    ★★★★★ If you have made this Italian cream recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

    Recipe

    Pastry cream in a bowl.

    Italian Lemon Pastry Cream Recipe

    A rich and thick lightly scented lemon-infused pastry cream recipe made with eggs, milk, sugar, cornstarch and a pinch of salt. This gluten-free pastry cream is referred to as crema pasticcera in Italian and is an essential component in many Italian desserts.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Save RecipeSaved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 72kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
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    Ingredients

    • 2 cups milk whole or 2%
    • 1 lemon (organic) peel
    • 1 egg room temperature
    • 2 egg yolks room temperature
    • ½ cup sugar, granulated scant
    • 3 tablespoons cornstarch sifted
    • pinch salt
    • 2 tablespoons butter see note

    Instructions

    • In a medium, heavy saucepan, over medium heat, combine the milk and lemon peel.
    • When the milk starts to steam, remove from heat (do not allow milk to boil). Let stand for at least 10 minutes allowing the lemon peel to infuse the milk.
    • Meanwhile, whisk eggs with sugar for one minute.
    • Sift cornstarch and salt together.
    • Add these dry ingredients to egg mixture.
    • Whisk continuously for about 5 minutes or until the mixture becomes light-colored.
    • Remove lemon peel from the milk.
    • While whisking continuously, add a ladle of hot milk to the egg mixture.
    • Gradually add all the hot milk while whisking.
    • Transfer mixture to saucepan and over medium heat, whisk continuously for about 5 minutes. Mixture will thicken. Do not allow mixture to come to a boil. 
    • Once the mixture has thickened, remove from heat.
    • Allow the mixture to cool down for a few minutes.
    • Add about two tablespoons of cut up butter and whisk into the mixture until fully incorporated,
    • Transfer mixture to a ceramic or glass dish.
    • Place a piece of plastic wrap in direct contact with the pastry cream.
    • Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes.
    • Refrigerate until ready to use  (should be used within 3 days).
    Enhance Your Cooking Experience!SCROLL UP for essential step-by-step photos embedded in the article above. When available, videos can be found in the next section. These visuals are designed to help you achieve perfect results every time. Happy cooking!

    Video

    Notes

    • Allow ingredients to come to room temperature before beginning the recipe.
    • Use a saucepan with a heavy bottom. Avoid using aluminum as this will create a grayish-looking cream.
    • Whisk continuously.
    • If your bowl is spinning away from you when combining the warm milk with the eggs, simply place a humid tea towel under your mixing bowl.
    • Use medium-low to medium heat to prevent the eggs from curdling.
    • Strain warm pastry cream through a strainer if ever the mixture forms any lumps.
    • Constant stirring! Yes, I said this already but it really is important -no distractions so put away that cell phone.
    • The consistency is perfect for cream puffs and eclairs. 
    • If making a layered cake (for example Boston Cream Pie) the addition of 1 teaspoon of cornstarch will create a thicker cream.
    • If using whole milk, the addition of butter is not necessary. 
    Each serving is equivalent to 2 tablespoons.
    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 46mg | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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    Filed Under: Desserts

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a retired dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brittney

      February 10, 2024 at 9:55 pm

      5 stars
      If you follow the directions to the tee and watch the video, it comes out perfect.

      Reply
      • Maria

        February 10, 2024 at 9:56 pm

        Thanks so much Brittney ♥ So thrilled to read this!

        Reply
    2. Andrea

      October 19, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      5 stars
      There’s such a subtle, gentle lemon taste! You can definitely taste it, savor it but without being overwhelming. Beautiful recipe! It’s a keeper! I’m using it to fill napoleons (I was looking for a twist to the common creme pat). Thanks for the recipe!!

      Reply
      • Maria

        October 20, 2022 at 9:38 pm

        So thrilled to read this! Thanks so much Andrea!

        Reply
    3. Lily

      December 11, 2021 at 12:21 pm

      Hi,
      I was wondering if I could use shortening in replace of butter?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Maria

        December 14, 2021 at 10:11 am

        Thanks for your interest Lily. Yes, butter and shortening can be interchanged. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Carrie Sorensen

      September 16, 2020 at 9:34 pm

      Turned out wonderful! I have a question if I wanted to use this in a tart topped with meringue could I bake it for a few min to get the meringue browned? I don’t have a kitchen torch
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Maria

        September 18, 2020 at 8:23 pm

        How wonderful Carrie. To be honest, I have never tried, but I am sure it works. The broiler gets very hot, very quickly. I would definitely keep an eye on it. Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Frank

      August 22, 2020 at 5:53 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic recipe, the instructions were so easy to follow. The taste was magnificent and the lemon really complimented it. Will be making this again! Thank you so much 🙂

      Reply
      • Maria

        August 22, 2020 at 9:31 am

        My pleasure Frank. Thanks so much for taking the time to share!

        Reply
      • Nika

        August 30, 2023 at 7:29 pm

        Can this recipe be doubled easily. Same measurements?

        Reply
        • Maria

          September 02, 2023 at 10:30 am

          Thanks for you interest Nika. Although I have never tried, it should work out perfectly.

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    Hi, I'm Maria! a dietitian (retired) and full-time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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