Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 1/2 cups milk, divided
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Sprinkle the cornstarch over 1/2 cup of the milk in a small bowl and whisk to dissolve. Add the sugar and egg yolks and whisk well.

2. Bring the remaining 2 cups of the milk and the vanilla bean just to a simmer in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan over low heat. Remove the bean, scrape the vanilla seeds into the milk, and discard the bean. Gradually whisk the egg yolk mixture into the milk.

3. Cook, whisking often, until the sauce comes to a full boil, about 3 minutes. If using vanilla extract, stir it in now. Strain through a wire sieve into a bowl. Serve warm.

4. MAKE AHEAD

5. The sauce can be prepared up to 1 day ahead, cooled, covered, and refrigerated. Reheat in the top part of a double boiler over simmering water.

Email to a friend | Print this recipe | Back