Crème pâtissière is the vital component of a host of desserts and sweet snacks. To make a sweet soufflé, for example, you will first have to master the art of the pastry cream, then whisk the leftover egg whites until fluffy for a light, airy finish. Similarly, no trifle is complete without a thick, rich pastry cream applied liberally in layers with booze-drenched cake, jelly and fruit. It also makes a sublime doughnut filling.

Naturally, crème pâtissière is a must-have item when trying your hand at French pâtisserie. Try Pascal Aussignac’s classic strawberry tart recipe to start, which sees a pastry case filled with a loving layer of pastry cream and topped with fresh strawberries for a family-sized spin on tarte aux fraises. A classic clafoutis would also be incomplete without this decadent cream holding everything together.

Often when crème pâtissière is used as a filling for choux pastry items like profiteroles or eclairs, it is lightened with crème chantilly first – a combination that is known as crème diplomat, or crème légère. Pierre Koffmann has an excellent recipe for creme diplomat in his caramelised apple with arlettes dish, and Nancy Ann-Harbord’s host of éclair recipes demonstrate the level of flavour fun that you can achieve, once you have the knack. Raspberry and rose, gin and tonic and salted caramel-flavoured pastry creams are used to fill her choux creations for a lavish, creative take on a classic.