Boston Cream Pie is a perfect end to a perfect dinner. We love to serve this Boston Cream Pie cake after a dinner of pork tenderloin, crock pot scalloped potatoes, roasted carrots, and caprese salad!

The Best Boston Cream Pie

What is Boston Cream Pie? Boston Cream Pie is a classic and well-loved cake (yes, cake, not pie! we’ll touch on this more in a bit!), and everyone should have a good recipe up their sleeve. This is one of my favorite recipes! This Boston Cream Pie recipe is made with a soft and fluffy vanilla cake base, a creamy vanilla pastry cream, and a silky chocolate ganache.

The best part is that this recipe is made entirely from scratch, no boxes or packets needed here. While Boston Cream Pie requires a bit of foresight (the pastry cream will need to chill for several hours), it’s actually not a complicated cake to make. It is, however, stunning and decadent. Let’s jump in!

How to Make Boston Cream Pie

Boston Cream Pie may look complicated with its many layers and fancy chocolate topping but don’t let its appearance intimidate you. Making Boston Cream Pie involves three main components:

  • Make the pastry cream
  • Mak the vanilla cake
  • Prepare the chocolate ganache and assembling.

For the Pastry Cream:

  • If possible, prepare the pastry cream the night before. To prepare, bring cream, milk, sugar, and salt to a simmer.
  • Whisk together egg yolks and cornstarch. Temper eggs by gradually whisking cream mixture into eggs.
  • Cook until thickened. Add butter and vanilla. Pour through a strainer and allow to cool completely and chill before using.

For the Cake:

  • Cream together butter, oil, and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
  • Whisk together dry ingredients and gradually stir into wet ingredients.
  • Divide cake batter into baking pans and bake. Cool.

Ganache & Assembly:

  • Melt together chocolate and cream until smooth. Allow to cool slightly while assembling the cake.
  • Evenly top one cake with pastry cream. Top with second cake.
  • Unlike ganache frosting, this ganache is poured over the top of the cake. Allow ganache to harden

Slice and serve!

So there you have it. The best Boston Cream Pie ever. Sure, a few steps are involved, but nothing too complicated or fancy.

More Cake Recipes You’ll Love

  • Banana Pudding Cake
  • Pumpkin Dump Cake – 3 Ingredients!
  • Chocolate Poke Cake From Scratch – kid approved
  • The Best Carrot Cake – a family favorite!
  • Vanilla Bundt Cake – gorgeous cake

What is Boston Cream Filling Made of?

Boston Cream Pie Filling is actually nothing other than a classic and simple pastry cream. Pastry cream is made of cream, milk, sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, vanilla, butter, and salt. Simple pantry staples that yield amazing results! I actually use the same pastry cream filling in my Boston Cream Pie that I use in my Cream Puffs.

Why is it called Boston Cream Pie?

I know what you’re probably thinking. This is clearly a cake, so why do we call it a Boston Cream Pie? Well, once upon a time, cakes and pies were often baked in the same tins. It is believed that this cake was first baked in a pie tin, and so the name Boston Cream Pie stuck.

While that may be the case, make no mistake that this “pie” is actually most definitely a cake! If you’re looking for a true pie, make sure to check out Apple Pie or Shoofly Pie instead!

Enjoy!

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Boston Cream Pie

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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