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Traditional Boston Cream Pie

2022-10-31

By Cake Master

American Cuisine

Dessert

How to Make Delicious Boston Cream Cakes with Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, and Air Fryer: Quick, Creamy, and Perfect Every Time

How to Make Perfect Boston Cream Cake with a Slow Cooker: Gently Cook Custard and Sponge for a Creamy Delight

Use the slow cooker’s "Low" setting to slowly cook the custard filling to perfection. After preparing the custard, pour it into a pre-baked sponge cake base and allow it to cook gently while keeping the filling smooth and creamy.

Instant Pot Boston Cream Cake: Speed Up Custard and Cake Prep with the 'Saute' and 'Pressure Cook' Functions

Take advantage of the Instant Pot’s "Saute" function to prepare the custard quickly before transferring it to a cake pan for pressure cooking. Use the "Pressure Cook" setting to bake the cake, ensuring a soft, moist texture in a fraction of the time.

Air Fryer Boston Cream Cakes: Light, Fluffy Sponge with a Crispy Finish and Perfect Custard

The air fryer is perfect for making individual Boston cream cakes. Cook your sponge cakes at 320°F for about 10-12 minutes, then top with your custard and chocolate glaze. The air fryer’s even heat ensures a light, fluffy cake with a crispy finish.

Tips and Suggestions on Boston Cream Pie

Making the perfect sponge cake

The base of Boston Cream Pie is a light and airy sponge cake that can be tricky to make. The cake should rise evenly and have a delicate texture that can support the filling and glaze without crumbling. It's important to follow the recipe and be gentle when folding in the dry ingredients and beaten egg whites.

Preparing the pastry cream

Boston Cream Pie is filled with rich and creamy vanilla pastry cream that also requires some skills to make. It should be smooth and not too thick or too runny, with a velvety texture and intense flavor. Some recipes call for tempering the egg yolks and heating the milk and cream gradually to avoid lumps or curdling.

Assembling the cake

The final challenge is to assemble the cake without making it collapse or leak. After the sponge cake has cooled, it should be sliced in half horizontally to create two even layers. The pastry cream should be spread on top of the bottom layer, leaving a margin around the edges. The top layer should be placed carefully on top of the cream, pressing it slightly to release any air bubbles. Finally, the chocolate glaze should be poured over the cake, allowing it to spread evenly and coat the sides as well.

Perfecting the glaze

The chocolate glaze is the signature characteristic of Boston Cream Pie, and it should be glossy, smooth, and thick enough to stay on top of the cake. Some recipes call for making a simple ganache with chocolate and heavy cream, while others use a more complex custard-based glaze that includes corn syrup, butter, and milk.

Chilling and serving the cake

After the Boston Cream Pie has been assembled and glazed, it should be chilled for at least an hour to set the cream and glaze. The final challenge is to cut the cake into even slices without deforming it or smudging the glaze. Some people prefer to serve Boston Cream Pie with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra richness and contrast.

Classic Boston Cream Pie Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk and starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Remove the cakes from the oven and cool them in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. For the custard filling, whisk together flour, salt, and 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl.
    8. For the custard filling, whisk together flour, salt, and 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl.
  8. Combine egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and remaining milk in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
  9. Remove from heat and stir in flour mixture. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let mixture cool for 5-10 minutes, then whisk in heavy cream.
  10. Cut the cakes in half horizontally to make 4 layers. Spread the custard filling between each of the layers.
  11. For the chocolate glaze, heat the cream and chocolate together in a double boiler until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted.
  12. Let the glaze cool for a few minutes, then pour it over the top of the cake and let it drip over the sides. Chill the cake for 1-2 hours to set the ganache before serving.

Cooking Time

Preparation Time 30 min

Cook Time 30 min

Total time 1 hour

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 550
  • Fat: 29 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 68 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 48 g
  • Protein: 7 g

Variations for Boston Cream Pie

Vegan Boston Creme Pie

This version is made with dairy-free ingredients, featuring rich chocolate ganache and a luscious vanilla custard, creating a delightful vegan twist on the classic Boston Cream Pie.

Vegan Boston Creme Pie

Orange Boston Cream Pie

This version is made with vibrant orange-infused cake layers, smooth orange custard, and a glossy chocolate ganache, offering a refreshing twist on the classic Boston Cream Pie.

Orange and Vanilla Bean Boston Cream Pie

Red Velvet Boston Cream Pie

This version is made with luscious red velvet cake layers, decadent vanilla custard, and a rich chocolate ganache, marrying classic flavors with a bold twist.

RED VELVET BOSTON CREME PIE

Maple Boston Cream Pie

This version is made with moist maple-flavored cake layers, creamy maple custard, and a luscious dark chocolate ganache for a delightful twist.

Maple Cream Pie

Fig Boston Cream Pie

This version is made with sweet fig jam-infused cake layers, creamy orange-flavored custard, and a sprinkle of caramelized sugar for added depth.

Fig Pie with Orange Cream

White Chocolate Boston Cream Pie

This version is made with layers of soft vanilla cake, rich white chocolate custard, and a glossy white chocolate ganache for a decadent treat.

White Chocolate and Rhubarb Boston Cream Pie

Boston Cream Poke Cake

This version is made with a moist vanilla cake infused with creamy custard, topped with a rich chocolate glaze for a delightful twist.

Boston Cream Poke Cake

Boston Cream Pie Macaron

This version is made with delicate almond macarons filled with velvety vanilla custard and topped with a smooth chocolate glaze for a sophisticated treat.

Boston Cream Pie Macaron

Matcha Boston Cream Pie

This version is made with a green tea-infused sponge cake, rich matcha buttercream, and a velvety white chocolate ganache for a Japanese-inspired twist.

Grain Free Matcha Boston Cream Pie Recipe

Boston Cream Pie Recipe Review

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