How to Make Bavarian Cream

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 13, 2022 Tested

Bavarian cream is a classic dessert that is otherwise known as crème Bavaria or Bavaria. It is often served by itself or with a fruit sauce, and it can also be piped into doughnuts or cream puffs. Bavarian cream consists of thick custard flavored with vanilla that is lightened with whipped cream and chilled. This article will show you how to make a traditional Bavarian cream.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups (295.7 ml) whipping cream
1 1/4 cups (295.7 ml) heavy cream
1 tbsp. (13.8 g) powdered gelatin
3 tbsp. (44.4 ml) milk
1/4 cup (48 g) granulated sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) vanilla extract

Steps

1
Split 1 vanilla bean and place it in 1 1/4 cups (295.7 ml) heavy cream. Pour it into a saucepan and slowly bring it to a boil over low heat. When it boils, turn off the heat and let it sit for 1 hour.
2
Extract the bean from the cream. Scrape the seeds from the bean pod and then add them to the cream. Discard the pod.
- If you are using vanilla extract, place 1 tsp. (4.9 ml) vanilla extract in the cream instead of splitting the vanilla bean.
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3
Add 1 tbsp. (13.8 g) of powdered gelatin to 3 tbsp. (44.4 ml) milk in a small bowl. Set aside.
4
Whisk 1/4 cup (48 g) of granulated sugar and 5 egg yolks together in a bowl.
5
Warm the cream mixture back up on the stovetop. Once it is warm, whisk it slowly into the egg mixture. Place the cream and egg mixture in a bowl over simmering water.
6
Stir until the mixture thickens. When it coats the back of a wooden spoon, remove it from the boiling water and add the gelatin/milk mixture. Stir. This is your custard.
7
Place the bowl in an ice bath and stir as it cools. Stop when it is at room temperature.
8
Whip 1 1/4 cups (295.7 ml) of whipping cream with a hand or countertop mixer.
9
Fold the whipped cream into the cooling bowl of Bavarian cream. Pour mixture into ramekins or other small bowls. As the Bavarian cream cools and sets, it will form into the shape of your bowl.
10
Refrigerate until the mixture has set, (4 to 5 hours). Gently remove from the small bowls onto a plate.
11
Serve with raspberry sauce or lemon juice.

Community Q&A

Question

Do eclairs need to be refrigerated?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

If they won't be eaten for some time, yes.
Question

Can I add rum to Bavarian cream?

Community Answer

Yes, but it will make it slightly runny.
Question

How do I use this as a filling for a cake?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

In layered cakes, just pipe some cream between the cooled layers of the cake. You also can hollow out a cake and pipe cream in. Make sure the cake/cream is cool, not warm, or the cake will collapse.