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    Home » Spreads, Frostings and Sauces

    Modified: Jun 7, 2024 by Sweet Sensitive Free

    Gluten free Vegan Pastry Cream

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    I’ve actually made this gluten free vegan pastry cream many times before and I don’t really know why it took me so long to share it. Sorry!
    This eggless pastry cream is very easy to make and so versatile, it's the perfect filling for many desserts, like fruit tarts and bignets. Try it in this gluten free pastry cream pie! And don't miss the recipe for the vegan chocolate pastry cream too!

    how to make dairy free egg free pastry cream

    This vegan creme patissiere (French term for pastry cream) is:

    • without xanthan gum
    • it contains no butter, no milk, no egg, no cornstarch
    • easy, quick and thick
    • small batch, enough to fill a regular pie or tart
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Steps to make vegan pastry cream
    • Questions and Tips
    • 📖 Full Recipe

    Ingredients

    • Gluten free, plant based milk, soy would be the best option as it contains proteins, but I've made it with rice milk and it works just as great
    • Vegan butter, or margarine
    • Gluten free starch, I've used both potato and tapioca starch, they work great. Whatever starch you choose, make sure it is certified gluten free
    • Brown sugar, white sugar or other sweeteners are ok too
    • Vanilla bean, or vanilla extract
    • Lemon zest, when cutting it, leave the white part out as it has a bitter taste
    • Turmeric powder, this one is optional, it only adds color if you want a yellow vegan pastry cream, but you can leave it out if you want to

    See the recipe card below for all the quantities

    Steps to make vegan pastry cream

    • add the margarine to a saucepan on low heat and let it melt, add the starch and whisk quickly
    • add a small part of the plant based milk and keep whisking the mix
    • pour the remaining milk, keep whisking vigorously to avoid clumps
    • add the sugar (start with 2 spoons, taste it before adding more)
    • add the lemon zest, vanilla and turmeric (this one is optional)
    • keep whisking, it will take a good 10 minutes before the cream thickens
    • once you have a thick and smooth pastry cream, remove from stove and cover with cling film (also directly on the cream) to avoid the surface to dry

    Questions and Tips

    What’s the best plant based milk for the vegan pastry cream?

    I’ve made it with rice milk and soy milk and they both work well in the recipe.
    Soy milk is a bit better, as its proteins help thicken the cream

    Can I use white rice flour for this recipe?

    I wouldn’d advice it, white rice flour gives the cream a slightly transparent, unappetizing look and texture.
    Gluten free starch makes the pastry cream smoother and more uniform.

    What do I do if some clumps form in the pastry cream?

    For a smooth vegan pastry cream you can “sift” it.
    Pour the cream in a sifter (better if it’s a fine mesh one) and press the cream through it with a spatula.

    Can I avoid using the turmeric?

    Absolutely! In this recipe turmeric is only used to add the yellow color typical of traditional pastry cream.
    If you decide to add it, start with a very small pinch, stir and taste. If you add too much it changes the cream's taste.

    I hope you will enjoy this eggless and dairy free cream!

    If you make this recipe or have questions, leave me a comment down here! And a 5 star rating if you have loved it would help me grow the blog 😉
    For all the updates, follow me on Pinterest and Instagram and tag me if you make this or any of my recipes! I absolutely LOVE to see what you make and share it in my stories!

    Ciao!
    Sonia

    how to make dairy free egg free pastry cream

    📖 Full Recipe

    bowl with no egg no butter pastry cream

    Gluten free Vegan Pastry Cream

    Make your gluten free vegan pastry cream at home, few simple ingredients to make this scrumptious dairy free pastry cream for your desserts!
    4 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Dessert

    Equipment

    • 1 non stick saucepan
    • 1 whisk or spoon
    • 1 kitchen scale
    • cling film to cover the cream

    Ingredients
      

    • 50 gr margarine/vegan butter
    • 50 gr gluten free potato starch (or other gf starches)
    • 2-3 tablespoon brown sugar
    • seeds of 1 vanilla pod (or 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract)
    • zest of half a lemon (3-4 large strips, not grated)
    • pinch of turmeric powder (optional, only for coloring)
    • 500 gr plant base, gluten free milk

    Instructions
     

    • place a small non sticking saucepan over low heat, add the margarine/vegan butter and let it melt, then add the gluten free starch and quickly stir everything together with a whisk or spoon, in order to avoid clumps 
    • add a small part of the plant based milk and keep whisking the mix
    • add the remaining milk, keep whisking vigorously to avoid clumps
    • add the sugar (start with 2 spoons, taste it before adding a third spoon)
    • add the lemon zest, vanilla and turmeric (this one is optional)
    • keep whisking, it will take a good 10 minutes before the cream thickens
    • once you have a thick and smooth pastry cream, remove from stove and cover with cling film (also directly on the cream) to avoid the surface to dry
    • let it cool down before using it in other desserts

    Video

    Keyword cream, dairy free, egg free, gluten free, pastry, vegan
    Loved this recipe?Let me know how it was! Leave a comment and rating down below!

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      Creamy Gluten free Vegan Glass Desserts!
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      50 Delicious Dairy free Sauces!
    • Vegan Chocolate Pastry Cream (Gluten free)
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kimberly says

      March 20, 2022 at 2:46 pm

      4 stars
      I usually add less sugar as I prefer it not too sweet, but I've already made this pastry cream a couple of times, one without the lemon zest, and I have to say everyone at home really enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
      • Sweet Sensitive Free says

        March 20, 2022 at 2:48 pm

        Thank you Kimberly, I'm so glad you like this recipe! Sweetness is very personal indeed, I too always add sugar a bit at a time 🙂

        Reply
    2. Nandita says

      October 11, 2023 at 12:39 am

      can we pipe design or pipe tiny flower for cakes?

      Reply
      • Sweet Sensitive Free says

        October 11, 2023 at 7:44 am

        Hi! Unfortunately I don't think this pastry cream would keep the shape when designing flowers or else

        Reply

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    Hi! So grateful you're here! I'm Sonia, welcome to my little Italian corner of the world where I share comforting recipes without gluten and mostly vegan, to help you enjoy a much easier and definitely tastier allergen-free life!

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