If there's one dessert that always disappears first at family gatherings, it's Boston Cream Pie. It looks fancy, but it's actually really doable at home. You get soft cake layers, creamy pastry cream in the middle, and a shiny chocolate ganache on top. The kind of dessert that makes people stop mid-bite and go, "Oh wow."
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If you love this, you might also want to check out my vanilla bean cheesecake recipe - another creamy classic that everyone goes crazy for.
What makes boston cream pie so special
Despite the name, Boston Cream Pie is actually a cake. It's two layers of light sponge cake, filled with a rich pastry cream, and topped with a glossy chocolate ganache. This combination has been a favorite since the 1800s, when it was first made at the Parker House Hotel in Boston.
Ingredients you'll need
This recipe is made in three parts: the pastry cream, the cake, and the ganache.
For the pastry cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ¾ cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
For the cake
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for sprinkling
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the pans
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
For the chocolate ganache
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (or ⅔ cup chocolate chips)
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Step-by-step instructions
Make the pastry cream
- Fit a fine-mesh strainer over a medium bowl. Cut the butter into small cubes.
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until smooth. Add the milk and whisk again.
- Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens, about 8 minutes. Keep whisking until it bubbles, then cook 1 minute more.
- Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
- Strain the pastry cream, then press plastic wrap directly onto the surface. Chill at least 3 hours (or up to 3 days).
Bake the cake
- Preheat oven to 325ºF. Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans, then dust with flour.
- Whisk flour and baking powder in a bowl.
- Melt butter with milk (microwave or stovetop), then stir in vanilla and salt.
- Beat eggs and sugar with a mixer until pale, thick, and doubled in size (about 6 minutes).
- On low speed, slowly add the milk mixture, then the flour mixture in spoonfuls. Mix just until combined.
- Divide batter evenly into pans and bake 22-25 minutes, until golden and a tester comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes, then remove and let cool completely.
Assemble the cake
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread the pastry cream evenly over the top.
- Place the second cake layer on top, bottom-side up, and press gently.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
Make the ganache
- Chop the chocolate and place it in a bowl with corn syrup and salt.
- Heat cream until just bubbling, then pour over chocolate. Let sit 1 minute.
- Whisk until smooth, then pour over the chilled cake, letting it drip down the sides.
- Chill 30 minutes until set.
Tips for the best boston cream pie
- Chill the pastry cream long enough so it holds its shape.
- Don't rush the eggs and sugar-whipping them long enough gives you that light cake texture.
- For neat slices, run your knife under hot water before cutting.
Variations you can try
- Mini boston cream pies: Bake cupcakes and fill each with pastry cream before topping with ganache.
- Extra chocolatey: Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the cake batter.
- Vanilla bean pastry cream: Use vanilla bean paste for deeper flavor.
FAQ
Yes! It can be stored in the fridge up to 3 days. Just give it a good stir before using.
It's best fresh, but it will keep in the fridge up to 3 days.
I don't recommend freezing once it's assembled, but you can freeze the cake layers separately.
Honey works as a substitute, though the texture will be slightly different.
Recipes you may like
📖 Recipe
Boston Cream Pie
Classic Boston Cream Pie with soft sponge cake layers, rich vanilla pastry cream filling, and a glossy chocolate ganache topping. Elegant, nostalgic, and easier than it looks.
Ingredients
Pastry Cream:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ¾ cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Cake:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
Chocolate Ganache:
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate or ⅔ cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Instructions
- Make the pastry cream: In a saucepan, whisk yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until smooth. Add milk, whisk, and cook over medium heat until thickened and bubbling, about 8 minutes. Cook 1 more minute. Remove from heat, whisk in butter and vanilla, then strain. Cover with plastic wrap directly on surface and chill at least 3 hours.
- Bake the cake: Preheat oven to 325ºF. Grease, line, and flour two 9-inch cake pans. Whisk flour and baking powder. Melt butter with milk, then add vanilla and salt. Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale, about 6 minutes. On low, add milk mixture and flour mixture. Divide into pans and bake 22–25 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in pans, then completely.
- Assemble: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread pastry cream evenly. Top with second cake layer, bottom-side up. Press gently and chill at least 2 hours.
- Ganache: Place chopped chocolate, corn syrup, and salt in a bowl. Heat cream to a simmer and pour over chocolate. Let sit 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Pour over cake, letting it drip down sides. Chill 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Cake keeps in fridge for up to 3 days. Pastry cream and cake layers can be made ahead. For clean slices, warm knife under hot water.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 390Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 160mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 1gSugar: 28gProtein: 6g
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