Classic Vanilla Bavarian Cream

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A classic French dessert that is delicious as exotic 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.

If you've had a Bavarian Cream before you know what I mean when I say that the very words Vanilla Bavarian Cream get your taste buds singing. Silky smooth and luxurious mouthfeel you can never forget. Right?

What is the difference between Bavarian cream and custard?

A custard is made mainly of milk, eggs, and sugar. Bavarian cream is a custard-based dessert. It uses heavy whipping cream in addition to custard. A Bavarian cream also uses gelatin to set as compared to cornstarch in a custard.

What is Bavarian cream made of?

A true French Bavarian Cream or Creme Bavarois starts with a vanilla pastry cream made of milk, eggs, and sugar. After the pastry cream is cooled more whipping cream is added to lighten the dessert. Gelatin is used to set the bavarian cream.

I'm a huge fan of exotic desserts and this has got to be one of my favorites. Not just because it's so impressive but mostly because it's so simple and easy to make. I also make a strawberry bavarian cream or strawberry bavarian cream cake?

About this recipe

This is a fairly simple and easy recipe. One that can be made ahead of time and left to cool in the fridge so you can be free to do other preparations for your guest. It's also a dessert that's perceived to be difficult to make but not really.
Here are the steps at a glance so you can see it's a very easy dessert to make.

• Step 1 - Soak gelatin
• Step 2 - Prepare vanilla pastry cream then add gelatin - 20 minutes
• Cool the pastry cream - 20 mins
• Step 3 - Whip the heavy whipping cream - 5 minutes
• Combine heavy whipped cream and pastry cream
• Step 4 - Pour into molds - chill
• Garnish and serve

Ingredients and substitutes

• Milk - You definitely want to use whole milk, not low fat. The dessert needs to have somebody to set, 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.

Step by step instructions (pin)

• Soak gelatin in 2 tbsp water - let sit for 5 min.
• Place in microwave for 30 secs until dissolved - keep warm.
• In a saucepan combine sugar, egg yolks, salt, and cornstarch with a whisk.
• Gently pour cold milk and cream over whisking constantly to prevent lumps
• Scrape the vanilla bean and add it to the milk
• 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
• Once the custard is ready, remove from heat and add the melted gelatin mixture. Combine until all the gelatin is dissolved.
• Strain the custard while still warm into a clean bowl to remove any undissolved gelatin or curdled egg
• Cover with cling wrap making sure the plastic touches the top surface to prevent skin.
• When the vanilla pastry cream is cool to the touch (not chilled).
• Whip the cream to soft peaks then fold it into the prepared custard.
• This is now ready to pour in molds
• Pour the mixture into individual serving cup - 5 oz ramekins or similar
• These can be unmolded and served on a plate garnished with whipped cream or fresh fruits.
• I like to serve these in, fancy cups topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit

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Frequently asked questions

Can you make an eggless vanilla Bavarian cream dessert?

Yes, you can make this an eggless version of the Bavarian Cream too! Just follow my recipe here - eggless vanilla bavarian cream recipe

What do you garnish creme Bavarois with?

This dessert really takes very little to make it look fancy. Personally, I love to either top it with whipped cream or just a piece of fruit. My kids love the little chocolate-coated nuts too. I have made this a few times so I have given you several pictures to show you how I serve this.

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