tastes or smells natural Use vanilla judiciously—a little bit goes a long way Source: www.nielsenmassey.com FRENCH-STYLE, 82 PERCENT FAT BUTTER Butter is another crucial ingredient in our recipes It is important to use one containing 82 percent fat, which is the fat content of good butter in France If the fat content is 82 percent, the butter will contain 2 percent protein and only 16 percent water This will make a stable product that will bake nicely in the oven The solid ingredients in a recipe are what make the product hold its shape Pastry made with butter that contains a lower amount of fat, and thus a higher amount of water, will collapse slightly in the oven The water will also create a lot of steam in your oven and slow down the baking of your product My students and I have been using Plugra butter for many years; it is a very consistent product with a great flavor profile Butter keeps well in the refrigerator for two weeks; you should be sure to use it by then, before it starts to get rancid or pick up other refrigerator smells It can be kept in the freezer for up to a month The price varies depending on where you buy it Source: Whole Foods Market, www.plugra.com HEAVY CREAM AND MILK All of my recipes are calibrated using regular heavy cream that contains 35 percent fat and whole milk with 3.5 percent fat As much as possible, use organic milk and cream Heavy cream and whole milk keep well in the refrigerator until their expiration date Do not substitute fat-free or reduced-fat milk for whole ... recipe are what make the product hold its shape Pastry made with butter that contains a lower amount of fat, and thus a higher amount of water, will collapse slightly in the oven The water will also... Butter keeps well in the refrigerator for two weeks; you should be sure to use it by then, before it starts to get rancid or pick up other refrigerator smells It can be kept in the freezer for up to a month The price... create a lot of steam in your oven and slow down the baking of your product My students and I have been using Plugra butter for many years; it is a very consistent product with a great flavor profile