bavarian cream: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Culinary
Quick answer
What does “bavarian cream” mean?
A rich, cold dessert made from a custard base (cream, eggs, sugar, gelatin) that is lightened with whipped cream, often set in a mold and served with fruit or a sauce.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rich, cold dessert made from a custard base (cream, eggs, sugar, gelatin) that is lightened with whipped cream, often set in a mold and served with fruit or a sauce.
A term used in professional baking and dessert menus to denote a specific type of set custard dessert. It can also refer to the flavored base (e.g., chocolate Bavarian cream) used as a filling for pastries, cakes, and doughnuts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties. The dessert is of French origin (Crème bavaroise) but is standard in international pastry terminology.
Connotations
Connotes a classic, somewhat upscale dessert. In the US, it is strongly associated with the filling for 'Boston cream' doughnuts/pies.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday conversation, but standard in cookbooks, baking contexts, and restaurant menus in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “bavarian cream” in a Sentence
[Dish] is made with Bavarian cream.[Pastry] is filled with Bavarian cream.To prepare/serve Bavarian cream.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bavarian cream” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Rarely used adjectivally) The Bavarian-cream filling was exquisite.
- A Bavarian-cream dessert.
American English
- (Rarely used adjectivally) She ordered the Bavarian-cream doughnut.
- A Bavarian-cream layer cake.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the food industry, catering, and restaurant menu descriptions.
Academic
Rare, except in culinary arts or food history texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing recipes, desserts, or bakery items.
Technical
A precise term in pastry-making and gastronomy, referring to a specific emulsion of custard, gelatin, and whipped cream.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bavarian cream”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bavarian cream”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bavarian cream”
- Misspelling as 'Bavarian creme' or 'Bavarian creme'.
- Pronouncing 'Bavarian' with a /væ/ (as in 'cat') instead of /ə/ (schwa) in the first syllable.
- Using it as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'two Bavarian creams' is less common than 'two portions of Bavarian cream').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Pastry cream (crème pâtissière) is a thick custard made with starch and is used as a filling. Bavarian cream is based on crème anglaise (egg custard), includes gelatin to set it, and is lightened with whipped cream, resulting in a lighter, mousse-like texture.
Traditionally, no, as gelatin is essential for setting. For a vegetarian version, agar-agar can be used, but the texture and setting properties will differ.
The dessert's origin is French (Crème Bavaroise), not German. It is believed to have been named in the 19th century in honor of the Bavarian region or a visiting dignitary, a common culinary practice of the time.
Both are aerated, chilled desserts. A Bavarian cream always contains a custard base and gelatin, giving it a smooth, firm, yet tender set. A mousse may not contain a cooked custard or gelatin; it is often stabilized by whipped egg whites or cream alone, making it lighter and less structured.
A rich, cold dessert made from a custard base (cream, eggs, sugar, gelatin) that is lightened with whipped cream, often set in a mold and served with fruit or a sauce.
Bavarian cream is usually formal / culinary in register.
Bavarian cream: in British English it is pronounced /bəˈveə.ri.ən kriːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /bəˈver.i.ən kriːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(None directly associated)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BAVARIAN wearing a CREAMy white hat made of delicious, wobbly dessert.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESSERT IS A LUXURIOUS CONSTRUCTION (it is 'set', 'molded', 'lightened').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary setting agent in a traditional Bavarian cream?