Pastry Cream

Directions

1. 1
   Pour the milk into a medium saucepan and place over medium-high heat.
2. 2
   Heat almost to boiling point.
3. 3
   Keep hot.
4. 4
   Put the 5 egg yolks into the mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
5. 5
   Beat at medium speed, gradually pouring in the cup of sugar.
6. 6
   Raise speed to high and beat until mixture thickens and turns a very pale ivory color.
7. 7
   Beat in the flour.
8. 8
   While still beating, gradually pour in the hot milk.
9. 9
   Pour and scrape contents of bowl back into saucepan.
10. 10
    Set over medium-high heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wire whisk.
11. 11
    It will get lumpy, but smooth back out again.
12. 12
    When mixture comes to boil, reduce heat to low and cook 2 to 3 minutes, still stirring.
13. 13
    Remove from heat and beat in vanilla extract.