Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Nicole B.

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total time1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

This Bavarian cream is light, airy and delicious and can be flavored with hazelnut liqueur or served with a fruity raspberry sauce. Both versions make a great dessert that's easy to make.

For a summer dessert variation of this recipe, also check out this lemon Bavarian cream that's subtly flavored with ginger!

Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (1)
Jump to:
  • About the recipe:
  • What's in Bavarian cream?
  • How to make Bavarian cream:
  • How to serve it:
  • How to store Bavarian cream:
  • How long does it keep?
  • How to use it:
  • How to make the raspberry sauce:
  • More delicious mousse and custard recipes:
  • Full Printable Recipe
  • Comments

About the recipe:

This recipe is adapted from an old cookbook titled The Centennial Collection of Favorite Recipes from Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah KY, Second Edition 1975. The recipe in the book is a Charlotte Russe (a Bavarian cream and ladyfinger cake). For the recipe here I took the cream part only and flavored it in two different ways: with hazelnut liqueur and with a raspberry sauce. Both versions taste absolutely amazing and are easy to make.

What's in Bavarian cream?

Bavarian cream is made with eggs, cream, gelatin, sugar and flavorings.

Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (2)

For another light and airy mousse, be sure to also try this easy 3-ingredient white chocolate mousse!

How to make Bavarian cream:

See full ingredients & instructions in the recipe card below!

Step 1. Start this recipe with powdered, unflavored gelatin. The gelatin needs to "bloom," which means that it needs to soak in a liquid for a few minutes. The liquid I used here is simply cold water.

Step 2. Once the gelatin is soaking in water, you can get to work on the actual custard. Start by whisking egg yolks with sugar, vanilla extract (and hazelnut liqueur, if you're making the hazelnut version) by hand. Once the mix is nice and creamy, set it aside.

Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (3)

Step 3. Next, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks, then set them aside.

Step 4. In a separate bowl, beat heavy cream with sugar to stiff peaks. Set that aside as well.

RECIPE TIP: Whip the egg whites first, then use the same beater(s) to whip up the cream. As long as you do the steps in this order, there is no need to clean the beater(s) in between.

Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (4)

Step 5. By now the gelatin should have soaked up all the water (as shown in the photo below). Briefly heat the saucepan on the stovetop just enough to completely dissolve the gelatin (a few seconds).

Step 6. Whisk the gelatin into the egg mix.

Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (5)

Steps 7 & 8. Add the whipped cream and whisk it in.

Steps 9. & 10. Add the egg whites and quickly whisk them in as well. Fill the Bavarian cream into individual glasses or a serving bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (6)

How to serve it:

For the hazelnut version, pipe or spoon a small dollop of whipped cream on and sprinkle with chopped pistachios.

For the raspberry version, make the raspberry sauce (see step-by-step instructions below). Drizzle the sauce over the Bavarian cream and top with a dollop of whipped cream.

How to store Bavarian cream:

Store Bavarian cream in the refrigerator but consume on the same day you make it.

How long does it keep?

You can keep the Bavarian cream refrigerated for several hours but you should consume it on the same day that you make it.

How to use it:

In addition to making Bavarian cream a stand-alone dessert, you can use it as a filling for cream puffs, donuts and eclairs.

How to make the raspberry sauce:

Step 1. Add frozen raspberries, sugar and lemon juice to a saucepan.

Step 2. Simmer the mix until the sugar is dissolved and the raspberries are breaking down (about 7 minutes).

Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (7)

Step 3. Strain through a sieve, let cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge until you're ready to use it.

Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (8)

More delicious mousse and custard recipes:

  • White Chocolate Mousse (no gelatin, no eggs)

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  • Spiced Eggnog

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  • 10-Minute Individual Chocolate Trifles with Mascarpone

    10 Minutes

  • Dark Chocolate Espresso Pots de Creme (no-bake)

    3 Hours 15 Minutes

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating or comment! Thanks!

Full Printable Recipe

Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (13)

Bavarian Cream Recipe

Recipe adapted from The Centennial Collection of Favorite Recipes from Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah KY, Second Edition 1975.

This light Bavarian cream is easy to make and can be flavored in different ways.

4.54 from 13 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Chill Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine French, German

Servings 4

Calories (estimated) 228 kcal

Equipment:

  • measuring cups and spoons

  • saucepan

  • mixing bowls

  • whisk

  • standing mixer or handheld mixer

  • rubber spatula

  • citrus juicer (for the raspberry version)

  • sieve (for the raspberry version)

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon powdered, unflavored gelatin
  • 2 large eggs, separated
  • cup + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup heavy cream

For the hazelnut liqueur version:

  • 2 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur
  • chopped pistachios as garnish, optional
  • whipped cream as garnish, optional

For the raspberry sauce version:

  • 2 cups frozen raspberries
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • whipped cream as garnish, optional

Instructions:

  • Add the gelatin along with 3 tablespoons of cold water to a pan. Let sit for 4 minutes.

  • While the gelatin is soaking up the water, whisk egg yolks with ⅓ cup sugar, vanilla (and hazelnut liqueur, if using) until creamy.

  • Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks, set aside.*

  • In a separate bowl, whip the cream with the remaining 1 teaspoon sugar to stiff peaks. Set aside.

  • Once the gelatin has soaked up all the water, heat it briefly on the stovetop just until dissolved (a few seconds).

  • Whisk the gelatin into the egg yolk mix.

  • Whisk in the cream.

  • Whisk in the egg whites.

  • Quickly fill the mix into individual glasses or a serving bowl. (Try to work fast, the gelatin will set quickly.)

  • Chill the Bavarian cream in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Consume on the same day you make it.

For the hazelnut liqueur version:

  • Garnish with a small dollop of whipped cream and chopped pistachios (optional).

For the raspberry sauce version:

  • Add raspberries, sugar and lemon juice to a saucepan. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved and the raspberries are breaking down (about 7 minutes).

  • Strain through a sieve.

  • Let the sauce cool to room temperature, then cover and store in the fridge until you're ready to use it.

  • Drizzle the sauce over the Bavarian cream right before serving. (The sauce will slowly "bleed" into the custard if it sits on it for long. That's why you want to wait until you serve before drizzling it on.)

  • Top with a dollop of whipped cream.

Notes:

*As long as you whip the egg whites before whipping the cream, there is no need to clean the beater(s) in between the two steps.

Nutrition Information (Estimated):

Calories: 228kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 4.3gFat: 8.2gSaturated Fat: 4.2gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 39mgPotassium: 136mgFiber: 4gSugar: 32gCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition values provided on this website are generated from a nutrition database and are estimates only. The accuracy of the nutrition information for any recipe on this website is not guaranteed. Nutrition values can vary quite a lot depending on which brands are used.

Keywords: bavarian cream, bavarian mousse

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Treva B

    I made this for my dessert challenge tonight and it was delicious!

    Reply

    • Nicole B.

      That's wonderful, I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving such a nice comment, it's much appreciated. :)

      Reply

  2. Lj

    Loved this easy recipe!

    Reply

    • Nicole B.

      That's wonderful to hear! Thank you so much for coming back and giving a rating/feedback, I really appreciate that. :)

      Reply

  3. Nicky @ Kitchen Sanctuary

    Oh my! they look amazing! I don't have any hazelnut liqueur in, but I do have almond liqueur.........

    Reply

    • Nicole B.

      Ooooh, I have a feeling almond liqueur will work great too!

      Reply

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Bavarian Cream Recipe (with Raspberry or Hazelnut) (2024)

FAQs

What flavors are in Bavarian filling? ›

A Bavarian cream can be flavoured with chocolate, coffee, fruit, or the like and is usually molded in a fancy shape and garnished with fruit or a sweet sauce.

What is the difference between Bavarian cream and custard cream? ›

While both are custard-based fillings, Bavarian cream is lightened with whipped cream and set with gelatin, giving it a mousse-like texture, while pastry cream is a thick and creamy custard made with eggs, milk, sugar, and flour or cornstarch.

How is a Bavarian cream different from a fruit based mousse? ›

Bavarian creams differ from mousses in that they are usually made by thickening a custard sauce with gelatin, then folding in whipped cream (not whipped egg whites). Mousses can be served “standalone” in a dessert cup or used as filling for cakes and Charlottes.

What is Bavarian cream made of? ›

Bavarian Cream is made from a Crème Anglaise base (milk, vanilla, egg yolks and sugar), thickened with Gelatine and lightened with Whipped Cream. Pastry Cream (or Crème Pâtissière) is relatively similar to a Crème Anglaise but is thickened on the stove with Cornstarch (or sometimes flour).

What are the 3 basic elements Bavarian creams always consist of? ›

A bavarian, also known as bavarian cream or bavaroise, is made of three basic elements: custard sauce (flavored as desired), gelatin, and whipped cream. That's all there is to it. Gelatin is softened in cold liquid, stirred into the hot custard sauce until dissolved, and chilled until almost set.

What's the difference between Bavarian cream and Boston cream? ›

Bavarian cream involves milk, eggs, sugar, and often vanilla extract, the same as Boston cream. But then the two ingredient lists diverge: Bavarian cream includes heavy cream and gelatin, while Boston cream involves cornstarch.

What is the difference between Bavarian cream and diplomat cream? ›

Although often confused with diplomat cream, Bavarian Cream (or Crème Bavarois in French) has a base of Crème Anglaise versus Creme Patissiere and is mixed with whipped cream and gelatin. While gelatin is used optionally in diplomat cream, it is required for Bavarian cream.

What is the culinary term for Bavarian cream? ›

Bavarian cream, crème bavaroise or simply bavarois is a French dessert consisting of an egg-based cooked custard (milk thickened with eggs) and gelatin or isinglass, into which whipped cream is folded. The mixture sets up in a cold mold and is unmolded for serving.

Is Italian cream and Bavarian cream the same? ›

Italian Buttercream: A type of meringue-based icing which is used on the exterior of the cake and filling the cake. Light and not overly sweet, Italian Buttercream is flavored, using fruit purees, various emulsions, chocolate, cookies, etc. Vanilla Bavarian Cream: Vanilla pastry cream lightened with whipped cream.

What can make your Bavarian cream is too rubbery? ›

In the production of Bavarian creams and other desserts stabilized with gelatin, why is it important to measure the gelatin carefully? If not enough gelatin is used, the dessert will be too soft to hold its shape. If too much is used, the cream will be too firm and rubbery.

What type of dessert is made from ladyfingers filled with Bavarian cream? ›

So what is a Charlotte Russe? Charlottes are a category of chilled desserts made by pouring some type of mousse into a flat-bottomed mold lined with cake strips or often ladyfingers. A Charlotte Russe features a whipped cream mousse set with gelatin that's known as Bavarian cream.

What makes Bavarian cream different? ›

Bavarian cream uses heavy cream and whipped cream. Boston cream mainly uses milk and eggs and is a sort of custard. Bavarian cream is usually served with fruit puree or a fruit sauce. Boston cream is served mostly with chocolate.

What is another name for a Bavarian cream dessert? ›

Bavarois, otherwise known as bavarian cream or creme bavaroise, is a type of sweet, velvety custard dessert. The base for bavarois is crème anglaise, which is thickened by adding egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and cream or milk.

What are some fun facts about Bavarian cream? ›

The origins of Bavarian cream date back to the 17th century, when it was believed to have been introduced by French chefs working for the Wittelsbach princes of Bavaria. It gained mass popularity in the United States in the late 19th century, with its recipes appearing in renowned cookbooks.

What is Bavarian cream donut filling made of? ›

Bavarian Cream Donuts are a classic for a reason. Fried dough rolled in sugar and filled with custard (Pastry Cream + whipped cream), they are a totally irresistible and decadent treat. I will show you exactly how to make them step by step!

What is Bavarian filled? ›

Some American "Bavarian Cream doughnuts" are filled with a version of a crème pâtissière (pastry cream), some are filled with true bavarois. The "Bavarian Cream" part of the name refers to the type of doughnut filling, with doughnuts including chocolate-frosted and non-chocolate-frosted varieties.

Is Bavarian filled the same as Boston cream? ›

The texture is the biggest difference

Bavarian cream involves milk, eggs, sugar, and often vanilla extract, the same as Boston cream. But then the two ingredient lists diverge: Bavarian cream includes heavy cream and gelatin, while Boston cream involves cornstarch.

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