This Boston Cream Pie cake is not a pie! This is a beautiful vanilla cake with chocolate ganache and fresh pastry cream.
Boston Cream Pie has existed for a long time. It is a Boston-based recipe. According to the theory, the pie is called a pie because it was baked in a pie dish and then layered like a cake. It’s a pie that is a cake!
You may also know that I love the combination of vanilla cake, pastry cream, and chocolate ganache. Although I’ve made many Boston Cream Pie-inspired desserts, I have never had the classic recipe. Today, I’m making my version of the classic.
How can you make a Boston Cream Pie?
Make the pastry cream first before you can start making this cake. The pastry cream is a mixture of egg yolks, sugar, and milk. It is thickened with cornstarch and then cooked on the stove. You can add some butter or vanilla extract to enhance the flavor. Although it is easy to make, you want to ensure that the mixture is thick and well-mixed.
Fun fact: I made my first pastry cream years ago before starting this blog. I was asked to make Boston Cream Pie by a friend. I tried it and loved the results. We’ll say that there was more filling on the cake plate than the layers. Although I don’t know what went wrong, you would think I forgot to add the cornstarch because it was so thin. It was scary to try it again, but I now love it! It doesn’t matter if it seems scary initially; you will soon master it!
After making the pastry cream, let it cool in the refrigerator until thickened. You can make it a few days ahead if you need.
Next are the layers of the cake. Traditionally, a sponge cake is made. However, I chose to make a classic butter-based vanilla cake. It is delicious with the pastry cream, and it is moist. My favorite Challenge Butter was used. The butter is made from fresh milk and cream from family-owned dairy farms. It can be from a farm to a fridge in two days. There are no artificial flavors, hormones or fillers. This cake is perfect for it because of its creamy butter flavor.
After the pastry cream and cakes are prepared, they can be layered and then covered with simple chocolate ganache. It is a mixture of semi-sweet and cream with corn syrup. Although corn syrup can be substituted with honey or left out, I prefer it. It gives the ganache shine and gives this cake its dazzling look.
This is the final cake. It’s a delicious combination of moist cake and smooth pastry cream with dreamy chocolate! This is a classic cake you will return to again and again!
Description
Boston Cream Pie is not a pie but a classic cake! This is a beautiful vanilla cake with chocolate ganache and fresh pastry cream.
Ingredients
PASTRY CREAM
- 4 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup (155g) sugar
- 4 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 cups (480ml) milk
- 2 Tbsp ( 14g), salted Challenge Butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
VANILLA CAKE
- 2 1/2 cups (325g) all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (168g) unsalted Challenge Butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (310g) sugar
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups (300ml) milk
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
- 6 oz (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp corn syrup
- 1/2 cup (120ml), heavy whipping cream
Instructions
1. Make the pastry cream by placing the egg yolks into a medium-sized bowl and beating them together gently. Set aside.
2. Mix the milk, sugar, cornstarch, and cornstarch in a large saucepan until well combined.
3. Stir continuously over medium heat until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
4. Allow simmering for about 1-2 minutes before removing from heat. You don’t want to boil the mixture. Instead, simmer it for a few minutes.
5. Mix a small amount of milk mixed with the egg yolks. Whisk together and then add the egg mixture to this milk mixture. This ensures that the egg yolks are not overcooked.
6. Put everything back into the pan. Turn the heat back on and bring the mixture to a boil. Let boil for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Do not boil it for more than 2 minutes. If you do, it will become drier.
7. Add the butter and vanilla extract to the saucepan. Mix until smooth. Pour into a bowl, cover with clear wrap and press down against the top to prevent it from getting a film. Let cool in the refrigerator.
8. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans and place parchment paper circles on the bottom. Grease the sides. Pre-heat oven to 350°F (176°C).
9. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl.
10. Mix the butter, sugar, and oil in a large bowl. Beat until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Don’t skimp on creaming.
11. Mix the vanilla extract, eggs and milk until smooth. Make sure to scrape the sides of your bowl to ensure that all ingredients are properly incorporated.
12. Mix the batter with half the dry ingredients until it is well combined.
13. Mix the milk into the batter and stir until it is well combined. It will appear curdled, but that is normal.
14. Mix in the rest of the dry ingredients. Make sure to scrape the sides of your bowl to ensure that all ingredients are fully incorporated. Don’t overmix the batter.
15. Bake the batter in a single layer on the prepared pans for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick reveals a few crumbs.
16. Allow the cakes to cool in the oven for approximately 2-3 minutes. Then, transfer them to cooling racks and let cool completely.
17. Use a large, serrated knife to flatten the cakes.
18. First, place the first layer of cake on a platter. Next, top it with pastry cream. Stir the pastry cream with a whisk, if necessary, before adding to the cake.
19. Place the second layer of cake on top.
20. Make the chocolate ganache by adding corn syrup and chocolate chips to a medium bowl.
21. The heavy whipping cream should be heated to boiling point. Once it has boiled, add the corn syrup and chocolate chips. Let it sit for about 1-2 minutes before whisking until smooth.
22. Spread the chocolate over the top of the cake.
23. Keep the cake covered in plastic wrap until you are ready to serve it. The best cake is one that has been kept covered for at least 2 days.