I have been asked several times recently to make Boston Cream Pie for a birthday dessert.
In chronological order, they were for Mark, and then friends David and Appy. For the latter two, it was suggested by their wives as their “favorite.”
By the title and lead photo of this post, you can guess that Boston Cream Pie is no pie. But why call it a pie when it is clearly a cake?
Naturally, I went to my most trusted source, Markipedia. Being a native New Englander and a historian, I just assumed he would know. He did not. Disappointed? No, just shocked.
Wikipedia, however, had some good 411 for me. And it aligns with the little I knew from my mother. She always said her recipe was from the Parker House Hotel in Boston, a prime claimant for creation of both this cake and the eponymous Parker House Rolls.
Apparently, in the 19th century, pies and cakes were made in the same kind of baking tin and, thus, the terms cake and pie were sometimes interchangeable. Who knew?
Boston Cream Pie is also known by other names – chocolate cream pie, cream pie, and custard cake. To me, the latter makes the most sense…
This cake is unbelievably easy to make, and even the custard isn’t fussy at all. My mother – and Mark’s mother, for that matter – used to complain about making it, as it really is three distinct recipes: cake, custard, ganache.
But no one of those three recipes is difficult. So do yourself a favor and make this treat!
~ David
Boston Cream Pie
Cake
1 cup cake flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup whole milk
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
pinch salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
Custard
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
pinch salt
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
Ganache
2 ounces (2 squares) semisweet chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons whole milk, plus extra if needed
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Cake
Grease a 9-inch round cake pan. Place all cake ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer. With mixer at low speed, beat ingredients until just mixed, constantly scraping bowl occasionally with rubber spatula. Increase speed to high; beat 2 minutes, occasionally scraping bowl. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely.
Custard
In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, whisk together the all custard ingredients except the vanilla. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until mixture thickens and boils, about 20 minutes; boil 1 minute. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in vanilla. Refrigerate filling until cool but not set, about 30 minutes.
Ganache
Meanwhile, in a heavy 1-quart saucepan melt chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter over low heat. Remove from heat. Whisk in confectioner’s sugar and 2-3 tablespoons milk until smooth and of easy-spreading consistency.
Assembly
With a sharp serrated knife, cut cake horizontally in half to form 2 layers. Place 1 cake layer on cake platter; spread evenly with all the cooled custard. Top with second cake layer, pressing down gently but firmly. Frost top of cake with ganache. Refrigerate until serving time.
Make 10 servings.
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Nutmeg
July 14, 2018 at 2:55 pmI can see why you have had requests for that cake! Yummy.
Cocoa & Lavender
July 14, 2018 at 3:03 pmIt’s like an éclair cake! So good, Carolyne!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
July 14, 2018 at 5:24 pmIf I hadn't lived in New Hampshire for some years, I wouldn't have known the answer…Boston Cream Pie. Yours looks great and I'm sure it was enjoyed by all.
Cocoa & Lavender
July 14, 2018 at 7:06 pmI don’t think anyone in New England gives it a second thought, Karen! Thanks!
Marcelle
July 14, 2018 at 5:39 pmMy favorite too!! It's the best!! Yours looks scrumptious and thank you for sharing this recipe, David! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
July 14, 2018 at 7:06 pmMy pleasure, Marcelle – where did you first have it?
Fran @ Gday Souffle
July 15, 2018 at 2:32 amWow, this cake looks so good, I could eat each of the components raw before assembling them- even the custard with the raw eggs! However, I will restrain myself and wait until this dessert has been assembled properly and baked to perfection!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 15, 2018 at 4:22 pmYou are so right, Fran – each of the parts is wonderful on its own!
2pots2cook
July 15, 2018 at 12:43 pmI have never made Boston Cream Pie but this is a perfect timing since my father has a birthday within two days 🙂 Thank you David !
Cocoa & Lavender
July 15, 2018 at 4:22 pmHope he has a very happy birthday, and enjoys the cake!
2pots2cook
July 18, 2018 at 4:33 amOh yes, he did enjoy! Keeper, definitely !
Cocoa & Lavender
July 20, 2018 at 6:33 pmThat does my heart good! Have a wonderful weekend!
Gerlinde de Broekert
July 15, 2018 at 2:53 pmI have never baked a Boston Cream Pie but have eaten some good ones when I lived in Massachusetts. I will absolutely make this in the future.
Cocoa & Lavender
July 15, 2018 at 4:24 pmI’m surprised at how many people have never heard of it, Gerlinde! I guess it really is an east coast thing! Where in Massachusetts did you live?
Unknown
July 15, 2018 at 4:13 pmlovely… it looks rather italian too actually (in Italy we would have used pan di spagna, a butterless sponge cake) . stef
Cocoa & Lavender
July 15, 2018 at 4:24 pmExcept for the butter, it is very Italian, Stefano. Not too sweet, and very simple.
Valentina
July 15, 2018 at 9:58 pmNot only have I never made one, I don't even think I've had a bite of one! I can't believe it! I better get on it. Love learning bits of food history, too. 🙂
Cocoa and Lavender
July 16, 2018 at 1:19 pmIt’s such an East Coast thing, Valentina – I am not surprised that you haven’t tried one! Hope you like it!
Nicole (Riegl Palate)
July 15, 2018 at 11:51 pmOne of my favorites! I'm going to give this a try with gluten-free flour. I had a fabulous great aunt who lived in Boston. When Ed and I would visit her we'd stay at the Parker House just down the street from her apartment. Loved their rolls and Boston Cream Pie!
Cocoa and Lavender
July 16, 2018 at 1:20 pmThe rolls are one of my favorites, too… Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without them! Let me know how it works with GF flour!
Jill
July 16, 2018 at 3:03 amI remember eating this as a child in the 1950-60's. My mother used the Duncan Hines mix which included cake mix, pudding mix and glaze mix. It seemed fine until I had yours David!!
Cocoa and Lavender
July 16, 2018 at 1:21 pmPeople always tell me I am being too picky when I say I won’t use cake mixes… but there is a real difference in flavor and texture when made from scratch! I’m glad you and David liked it!
All That I'm Eating
July 16, 2018 at 11:48 amThis looks amazing! I can just imagine how good it tastes, I really need to try making one of these so I can have a slice (or two!).
Cocoa and Lavender
July 16, 2018 at 1:22 pmOr three… Have you ever seen one in the UK, Caroline? Just curious if they made it across the pond or not…
Kitchen Riffs
July 18, 2018 at 3:57 pmI've always heard this originated at the Parker House, too. And I *think* Fanny Farmer made it popular with home cooks. Well, home bakers, actually. Anyway I haven't had this for years. I need to make it again, and soon — it's really a nice pie. Cake. Whatever. 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
July 20, 2018 at 6:35 pmJohn, once I am digging into a piece, you could call it Tofu and I would be happy! 🙂 I forgot that Fannie Farmer was instrumental in getting this recipe out. I wonder how her recipe differs from mine. Will be checking tonight!
Emma @ Bake Then Eat
July 18, 2018 at 9:21 pmYum, will you make one for my birthday? 😉
Cocoa & Lavender
July 20, 2018 at 6:35 pmYes, I will!
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness
July 19, 2018 at 5:58 pmDear David, we all love, love Boston Cream Pie. It counts as one of my kids favorite treat for birthdays as well. I really enjoy the combination of homemade vanilla custard, sponge cake and chocolate ganache. Although your recipe is similar to mine, it is a bit different…
Liebe Grüße,
Andrea
Cocoa & Lavender
July 20, 2018 at 6:36 pmHow do they differ, Andrea? Is it mostly the cake? I don’t think of this once as a sponge…
Sippity Sup
July 19, 2018 at 6:57 pmI've always surmised (with absolutely no supporting evidence) that this "cake" was called a "pie" because like a pie the "crust" is rally just a vehicle for the creamy filling. No you've proven me the fool. Pass the pie… GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
July 20, 2018 at 6:36 pmOr the cake. I like your theory, Greg!
Frank
July 20, 2018 at 1:32 pmI'm shocked that "Markopedia" didn't have an entry on this… ! 😉 Anyway, believe it or not, I've never had a Boston Cream Pie, as far as I can remember. Reminds me that I've been meaning to explore American cookery. Funny thing, growing up in the US, I know, but I feel I know very little about it!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 20, 2018 at 6:38 pmI actually asked the “authority of the huose” and he really didn’t know! I was shocked! This might be a good dessert for you, Frank – it’s not as sweet as many!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
July 20, 2018 at 1:45 pmDavid, it's probably been 15 years since I last made a Boston Cream Pie–now I won't rest until I make one! (Of course–you know me and sugar–I'd only use about 3 or 4 tablespoons of sugar in the custard.) And as you said in one of the comment replies, cake mix is just not the same! Which reminds me, do you wonder, as I do, when you see recipes for "doctoring up" a cake mix, why they don't just make it from scratch?!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 20, 2018 at 6:41 pmI can’t believe you just asked that, Jean – I was just having a heated discussion about “doctoring” cake mixes and was being called a snob for standing by cakes from scratch! If a from-the-box cake isn’t good, take the hint! Sheesh!
I often use 1/4 cup sugar in this, Jean – especially if the chocolate ganache uses a sweeter chocolate! Enjoy!
John | heneedsfood
July 21, 2018 at 11:15 pmWow, "doctoring" cake mixes is a thing? Some people really ought to stay out of the kitchen, or learn a very few basic cooking skills Yep, I'm a snob too, David.
Now, this cake of yours – or pie – is beyond easy to make. And mighty tasty, I'm sure. That custard looks like perfection!
Cocoa & Lavender
July 22, 2018 at 4:43 pmYes, doctoring is a thing. Maybe it’s just in the US. I hope it doesn’t spread!
This cake is beyond easy and so good!
Christina | Christina's Cucina
July 25, 2018 at 3:59 amI'm with Valentina! Never made one or tasted one! I'm sure I'd like your version, other's not so sure! 😉
Cocoa & Lavender
July 25, 2018 at 2:44 pmI think you should try one! You might like it (too much!).
Inger@Art of Natural Living
August 3, 2018 at 9:18 pmThis is beautiful David–right down to the shine on the ganache. Don't know if you've quite convinced me it's not hard though 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
September 1, 2018 at 3:49 pmOh, pshaw, Inger – you can do this with your eyes closed!
Becky Blackhall
August 7, 2018 at 11:50 amThis is my husband's FAVORITE for birthday cake choice every year. So glad to have a trusted recipe to try it out for myself this fall!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 1, 2018 at 3:50 pmThis is a really trustworthy recipe, Becky! Let me know if you try it and like it!
Becky Blackhall
October 23, 2018 at 2:55 pmGiving it a whirl this morning!… outcome t.b.a.!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 23, 2018 at 3:00 pmFeel free to call if you have any questions! I’m around all morning…