The French gallantly give the English credit for one of their favourite dessert sauces, made with sugar, egg yolks, and hot milk flavoured with vanilla. If yours tends to curdle you can buy crème anglaise in the supermarché in cartons ready to pour or drizzle over your dessert.
Crème bavaroise is crème anglaise with gelatine and whipped cream, used to make a bavarois or a charlotte.
Image by David Monniaux