Indulge in this classic American dessert, the Boston Cream Pie. This recipe features a sponge cake filled with creamy custard and topped with a smooth chocolate ganache. It's the perfect balance of light and rich flavors. With a total preparation time of 1 hour, you can impress your friends and family with this decadent treat. Serve it as a delightful dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
- For the Sponge Cake:
- - 2 cups all-purpose flour
- - 2 teaspoons baking powder
- - 1/2 teaspoon salt
- - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- - 1 cup granulated sugar
- - 2 large eggs
- - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- - 3/4 cup milk
- For the Custard Filling:
- - 2 cups whole milk
- - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- - 1/4 cup cornstarch
- - 1/4 teaspoon salt
- - 4 large egg yolks
- - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Chocolate Ganache:
- - 1 cup heavy cream
- - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake pans from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the custard filling. In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks until well combined.
- Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
- Gradually whisk the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk.
- Cook the custard over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens and comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
- Stir in the butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Transfer the custard to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate until chilled.
- Once the cakes and custard are completely cooled, it's time to assemble the Boston Cream Pie. Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
- Spread the chilled custard evenly over the cake layer.
- Place the second cake layer on top of the custard and gently press down to secure it.
- In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer.
- Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips and butter. Let it sit for a minute to allow the chocolate to melt.
- Stir the chocolate mixture until smooth and glossy.
- Pour the chocolate ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Use a spatula to smooth the ganache evenly over the top and sides of the cake.
- Refrigerate the completed Boston Cream Pie for at least one hour before serving to allow the ganache to set.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Boston Cream Pie is often referred to as a pie, but it is actually a cake.
It was first created by a French chef at Boston's Parker House Hotel in the mid-19th century.
The original 19th-century recipe used a rum syrup as a flavoring for the cake layers.
The Boston Cream Pie became Massachusetts' official state dessert in 1996.
The pie gained popularity during the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893.