For a low carb version, I switched the traditional cornstarch for arrowroot powder. Tapioca starch could also be used, but is slightly higher in carbs. Making low carb pastry cream is a bit challenging as you absolutely will need to use some sort of starch in this French pastry cream recipe.
This sugar-free French pastry cream is the perfect filling for low-carb desserts. It’s easy to double the batch so you’ll have plenty of creme patissiere if you need more. I came up with this recipe while I was working in my new Keto Chaffles book where I used this deliciously creamy vanilla custard pastry filling to make keto approved eclairs.
Caramel Pastry Cream: Add 3/4 cup chopped caramel (213g, or 21 to 23 unwrapped individual caramels) to the hot, strained pastry cream, stirring until melted and the mixture is smooth.
Place the saucepan over med-high heat and let the mixture boil for 2 minutes until it is thick and smooth. Take the pan from the heat and pour the pastry cream into a heat proof bowl. Cover the pastry cream with a plastic film, lightly press so plastic film can touch the pastry cream when covered and prevent a skin forming on top.