Boston Cream Pie

Recipe by Charlotte Rutledge
83 Reviews 4.1 out of 5 stars

The original Boston Cream Pie, created at Boston's Parker House hotel in the 19th century, featured sponge cake layered with cream and iced with vanilla and chocolate fondant. Our updated recipe reflects most Americans' idea of this cake: based, in fact, on a boxed mix from the 1950s! But traditional or not, Boston Cream Pie is simply delicious. Moist, tender vanilla layers are sandwiched around a rich, thick pastry cream, the whole cake topped with a dark chocolate ganache glaze. We think even those loyal to the traditional Parker House version will love this cake.

Prep
40 mins
Bake
30 to 35 mins
Total
5 hrs 10 mins
Yield
one 9" double-layer cake
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Boston Cream Pie - select to zoom
Boston Cream Pie - select to zoom
Boston Cream Pie - select to zoom
Boston Cream Pie - select to zoom

Instructions

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  1. To make the cakes: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly grease two 9" round pans or line with parchment paper rounds.

  2. Beat the sugar and eggs together until they're light and fluffy, about 2 minutes at medium-high speed using an electric or stand mixer. Slowly beat in the vegetable oil.

  3. Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. 

  4. Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to the egg mixture in the bowl, beating just enough to combine. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, then beat again, to fully incorporate any sticky bits.

  5. In a saucepan set over medium heat, bring the butter and milk just to a boil. Add the vanilla. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir the mixture until the butter is completely melted.

  6. Slowly add the hot milk mixture to the cake batter, mixing until everything is well combined. Scrape the bowl and mix briefly, just until smooth. The batter will be very thin.

  7. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.

  8. Bake the cakes for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, and the top feels set. Remove the cakes from the oven, cool them in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a rack to cool completely.

  9. To make the filling: In a medium-sized saucepan, stir together 2 cups (454g) of the milk, the sugar, and the salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.

  10. Meanwhile, whisk the cornstarch, egg yolks, and whole egg with the remaining 1/2 cup (113g) milk.

  11. Whisk about half of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks/cornstarch to temper the yolks. This keeps them from turning to scrambled eggs when you add them to the simmering milk.

  12. Pour the egg/milk mixture back into the remaining simmering milk in the pan, pouring it through a strainer to capture any bits of egg.

  13. Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat (this may happen very quickly), stirring constantly with a whisk, and cook for 2 minutes; the mixture will thicken significantly.

  14. Remove the filling from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

  15. Transfer the filling to a heatproof bowl, and top it with a piece of buttered plastic wrap (make sure it touches the top of the filling so it doesn't develop a skin). Refrigerate until cool.

  16. When the cakes and pastry cream are completely cool, spread the filling in an even layer over one layer then stack the second layer on top. Set aside.

  17. To make the glaze: Melt the chocolate and cream together until smooth and lump-free. Add the vanilla and stir well. Let the glaze sit for about 10 minutes to cool a bit and to thicken just a touch. Pour the glaze over the filled cake. Serve the Boston Cream Pie immediately, or cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

  18. Storage instructions: Store any leftover Boston Cream Pie in the fridge, well wrapped in plastic.

Tips from our Bakers

  • The original Boston Cream Pie, born at Boston's Parker House Hotel in the 1850s, featured two types of fondant icing (chocolate and vanilla), a rum-infused filling, and a garnish of sliced almonds. This recipe mimics not that cake, but a Betty Crocker mix launched in the 1950s, which made a much simpler dessert — and one that many American families enjoyed during its decades on the supermarket shelf.

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