Pastry Cream

2 cups milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine first 4 ingredients in top of a double boiler; bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, beating constantly until thickened. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Pour into a bowl; cover with heavy-duty plastic wrap, pressing wrap directly onto cream. Chill. Makes 2 cups.