Strawberry Bavarian Cream

This strawberry Bavarian cream, often called Creme Bavaria or Creme Bavarois, is rich, decadent, and delicious. It's made with pastry cream, whipped cream, and strawberries. A perfect make-ahead dessert to impress family and friends.

Table of Content

• Why make this dessert
• Ingredients and substitutes
• Step by step instructions
• Frequently asked questions
• Printable Recipe

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Technically, Bavarian cream also known as Bavaria is a dessert similar to pastry cream, thickened with gelatin instead of flour or cornstarch. In fact, it is a custard sauce thickened with eggs and that's exactly what we're going to do!

Why make this dessert

• This is a fairly simple and easy recipe compared to most other time-consuming desserts. Fewer steps and so much more impressive result.
• Making pastry cream can be intimidating due to the process of tempering the eggs. But, I am using a simple process that does not need tempering of egg yolks. And that is why this is my fool-proof method.
• It needs a few hours of chilling time, so it must be made ahead of time, which makes it perfect for entertaining.
• The quick process and timeline for this dessert is:
  • Step 1 - Soak gelatin and strawberry puree (10 mins)
  • Step 2 - Pastry cream - preparing + cooling - 40 minutes
  • and Step 3 - Whip and fold the whipping cream - 5 minutes
  • Step 4 - make the strawberry topping - 10 mins
  • Step 5 - Pour into molds - chill - 4 hours

Ingredients and substitutes

• Milk - You definitely want to use whole milk, not low fat. The dessert needs to have some body to set. And low-fat milk will be very delicate and not as flavorful as regular full-fat milk.
• Sugar - I usually prefer to use castor sugar because it dissolves quickly in desserts like these. But regular granulated sugar works just as well.
• Cream - Again you wanna use a full fat 35 to 38% whipping cream, which will add taste and body to your Bavarian cream.
• Gelatin - This helps set the Bavarian cream and gives it the right texture. As I said above, you can use agar-agar as well. Just follow the package instructions and prepare the agar-agar. Add it at the same stage mentioned below.
• Strawberries - You can use frozen or fresh strawberries for this Bavaria dessert. However, do not use dried strawberries as they do not blend well.

Step by step instructions

Strawberry glaze

• Cook the chopped strawberries, sugar, and half the water in a heavy bottom saucepan over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
  Pro tip - Very high heat will evaporate all the liquid without helping the sugar dissolve, so be patient and cook gently.
• Next, combine the cornstarch with the remaining water and add it to the saucepan. Continue to cook stirring constantly.
  Pro tip - It is important that the cornstarch comes to a boil and the mixture will go from opaque to transparent glossy.
• Once the mixture is transparent and glossy, take it off the heat. Pour it through a strainer and use a flat spatula to press down as much of the fruit as possible. Cool until ready to use.
  Pro tip - Straining will remove the skin and fruit fiber giving us a smooth sauce consistency.

Bavarian cream

• Place strawberries in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Strain through a sieve to remove fiber. Set aside for later.
• In a small bowl, soak gelatin in 2 tbsp water - set aside to bloom for 5 min.
• In a heavy bottom saucepan, combine egg yolks, sugar, salt, and cornstarch with a whisk. Scrape the vanilla bean and add it in (or add vanilla bean paste).
  Pro tip - The mixture will appear dry at first but it will cream as you continue to combine.
• Gently pour ½ cup whipping cream over whisking constantly to prevent lumps, followed by the milk.
  Pro tip - Make sure to scrape the sides of the pan to get any dry cornstarch pockets.

Stovetop

• Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. The custard is done when it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  Pro tip - It is important not to rush this process as we want the cornstarch to be cooked. Otherwise, the mixture will thicken but taste starchy.
• Once the custard is ready, remove from heat and add the soaked gelatin. Combine until all the gelatin is dissolved. Add the strawberry puree and combine well.
  Pro tip - The heat in the pastry cream is enough to dissolve the gelatin so no need to place it on heat.
• Strain the custard into a clean bowl. Cover with plastic wrap making sure the plastic touches the top surface to prevent skin. Chill on the counter until room temperature.
  Pro tip - Straining will remove any undissolved gelatin or curdled egg giving a smooth velvety finish to the Bavarian cream.

• In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the remaining whipping cream to soft peaks. Gently fold it into the cooled pastry cream as shown in the video.
  Pro tip - The pastry cream must be cool to room temperature. If warm it will melt the whipped cream and you will lose volume.
• The Bavarian cream is ready to pour into individual serving cups as I have. You can also use 6 x 5 oz ramekins or similar serving dishes.
  Pro tip - I like to pour the Bavarian cream in a piping bag (without a tip) this makes it easier to pour and distribute evenly.
• Transfer the dessert to the fridge to chill for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.
  Pro tip - Place the dessert cups on a baking tray lined with a paper towel. The paper towel prevents them from moving and the baking tray makes it easier to move around.

Assemble

• Once chilled, top the Bavarian cream dessert with the strawberry topping. Let chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
  Pro tip - Bavarian cream can also be served on its own without any fruit sauce. The classic strawberry Bavarian cream topped with a swirl of whipped cream is also delicious.

More Bavarian cream recipes

Frequently asked questions

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Printable Recipe