# What You'll Need:
→ Dairy
01 - 2 cups whole milk
02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Tea
03 - 3 tablespoons hojicha loose leaf tea or 3 hojicha tea bags
→ Eggs
04 - 4 large egg yolks
→ Sweeteners
05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
→ Starch & Flavorings
06 - 3 tablespoons cornstarch
07 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - Pinch of salt
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat 2 cups whole milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. Add hojicha tea, remove from heat, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
02 - Pour the hojicha-infused milk through a fine mesh sieve, pressing the tea leaves to extract maximum flavor. Discard the spent leaves.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together 4 large egg yolks, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, and a pinch of salt until smooth and pale.
04 - Gradually pour the warm hojicha-infused milk into the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
05 - Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbling, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Remove from heat and whisk in 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
07 - Transfer the pastry cream to a clean bowl and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent skin formation. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until completely cool and set.
08 - Before using, whisk briefly to smooth out the cream and achieve the desired consistency.
