Step 1

If you’re using powdered gelatin, place the water (regular tap water, not warm) in a small bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin powder over it, and gently stir it to hydrate the gelatin. Set aside to let it bloom for at least 10 minutes, and until the custard is cooked.

Step 2

If you’re using sheet gelatin, place some cold tap water in a big bowl or dish that is big enough to fit the gelatin sheets. You can cut them in half if needed.

Step 3

Completely submerge the gelatin sheets in the water. It's OK if the sheets stick to each other.

Step 4

When the gelatin sheets have bloomed, they should be very soft. You can keep them soaked in water until the custard is cooked. Before adding the gelatin sheets, you must take them out of the water and squeeze them in your hands to remove the excess water before adding them to the custard.

Step 5

In a small saucepan, place the milk and salt and heat until the milk is steaming, and it's just about to simmer. The milk does not need to come to a boil to make custard with it.

Step 6

While the milk is heating, in a separate bowl, place the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and cornstarch. Whisk very well until the egg yolks start to look a little pale and thick, and there are absolutely no lumps in the mixture.

Step 7

Temper the egg mixture by pouring the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture in a SLOW and THIN stream while constantly whisking the egg yolk mixture. This will ensure that the egg mixture warms up gently without turning into scrambled eggs. You would only need to add about ½ - ¾ of the milk mixture to achieve this.

Step 8

Once the egg mixture is tempered, add the tempered egg mix back into the pot with the rest of the milk, and return it back to the stove.

Step 9

Heat the custard base over medium low heat while whisking very frequently. Make sure to use the whisk to get all the corners and edges of the pot to ensure that the milk is not “setting” anywhere and forming scrambled eggs.

Step 10

The custard will start to thicken, but keep whisking until the custard starts to come to a boil. To check if the custard is boiling, you will need to pause whisking for a few seconds at a time to check if there are any bubbles breaking the surface.

Step 11

After the first bubbles break the surface, keep cooking the custard while constantly whisking for a further 1 - 2 minutes.

Step 12

When the custard has finished cooking, remove it from the heat and pass it through a sieve into a large bowl.

Step 13

Add the butter and bloomed gelatin and whisk until the butter and gelatin have dissolved and mixed in completely with the custard.

Step 14

Place a plastic wrap over the surface of the custard, and make sure that the plastic wrap is touching the whole surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming on top.

Step 15

Allow the custard to cool down to room temperature. Do not keep it in the fridge, as the gelatin will set the custard. If that happens, you'll need to whisk the custard before adding the meringue, and the gelatin will not set as well as you would want it to afterwards.

Step 16

When the custard is at room temperature (between 72 - 75°F), you can start to make the Italian meringue.

Step 17

Place the egg whites in a dry, clean metal mixing bowl. Add a pinch of cream of tartar and salt. Keep the bowl in your stand mixer and set it aside until the syrup is ready.

Step 18

Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Using a spoon or spatula, move the sugar around to make sure the sugar is hydrated by the water.

Step 19

Heat the sugar syrup over medium / medium high heat. Swirl the pan to dissolve the sugar as the water heats up.

Step 20

When all the sugar has dissolved, close the pot with the lid, and let the mixture boil for about 1 - 2 minutes. This will allow water to wash down the sides of the pot to re-dissolve the sugar that may have crystallized. Alternatively, you can use a clean pastry brush dipped in cold water to brush the sides of the pot.

Step 21

Keep cooking the sugar syrup until it reaches 235°F / 113°C. Make sure to swirl the pot from time to time to evenly heat the syrup.

Step 22

When the sugar reaches 235°F / 113°C, you can start to mix the egg whites on low speed.

Step 23

The sugar syrup is ready to use when it reaches 240°F / 115°C (firm ball stage). It's OK if it’s anywhere between 240 - 245°F (115 - 118°C).

Step 24

At this point, the egg whites should be whisked to soft peaks.

Step 25

Pour the sugar syrup into the egg white mixture in a thin, slow stream while whisking the eggs on medium speed. Make sure to pour the sugar syrup between the bowl and the whisk to prevent the sugar syrup from splattering everywhere.

Step 26

Once all the sugar is added, increase the speed of the mixer to high and whisk the meringue until you have glossy, stiff peaks. This should only take a few minutes.

Step 27

Add about ⅓ of the meringue mix into the room temperature custard, and mix to loosen up the custard base.

Step 28

Add the rest of the meringue and fold it in until there are no more white streaks in the custard. Be gentle when you fold in the meringue because if you mix it too vigorously, you will lose the air and it may deflate too much.

Step 29

It's very important to use the creme chiboust while it’s at room temperature, since it will set in the fridge. If you do want to keep the creme chiboust in the fridge, you will need to whisk it again before using. However, keep in mind that this will deflate the mixture AND not set as well again, because the gelatin has been disrupted.