Chiboust cream

A cream puff filled with Chiboust cream

Chiboust cream is a classic French pastry cream that is lightened with meringue and often used as a filling for various pastries, including the famous Saint-Honoré cake. It is named after the Parisian pastry chef Chiboust, who is credited with its creation in the mid-19th century.

Composition

Chiboust cream is a combination of crème pâtissière (pastry cream) and Italian meringue. The pastry cream is made from milk, egg yolks, sugar, flour, and vanilla, while the meringue is made from egg whites and sugar. The two components are carefully folded together to create a light and airy texture.

Pastry Cream

The base of Chiboust cream is a rich and thick pastry cream. This is achieved by cooking a mixture of milk, egg yolks, sugar, and flour until it thickens. Vanilla is often added for flavor. The pastry cream is then cooled before being combined with the meringue.

Meringue

The meringue used in Chiboust cream is typically an Italian meringue, which involves cooking sugar to a soft-ball stage and then slowly adding it to whipped egg whites. This creates a stable and glossy meringue that can be easily incorporated into the pastry cream.

Uses

Chiboust cream is versatile and can be used in a variety of desserts. It is most famously used in the Saint-Honoré cake, where it is piped onto a base of puff pastry and surrounded by caramelized choux pastry balls. It can also be used to fill cream puffs, éclairs, and other pastries.

Preparation

The preparation of Chiboust cream requires careful attention to temperature and timing. The pastry cream must be cooled to room temperature before the meringue is folded in, to prevent the meringue from deflating. Once combined, the cream should be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator until needed.

Related Pages

• Crème pâtissière
• Meringue
• Saint-Honoré cake
• Choux pastry