Boston Cream Pie

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Okay, I won't lie to you. This definitely isn't the easiest thing in the world to make. You have to melt, fold, boil, beat, whisk. Pretty much every sort of baker definition in the book is used in this recipe. If you can get past the baker jargon and have a few hours to spare, this is well worth the wait.

Sponge cake is so light and airy and the pastry cream is amazing. It's thick and creamy and sweet enough to satisfy a sweet tooth. The chocolate that is drizzled on top is just the icing on the cake (literally). So even though this might make your kitchen a disaster, the end result is well worth the wait and effort. Whoever you are making it for will appreciate it, too. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

Pastry Cream:

• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1/8 cup  all-purpose flour
• Scant 3 tablespoons  cornstarch
• 1 1/4 cups reduced-fat milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Sponge Cake:

• 5 large eggs
• 3/4 cup granulated white sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup plain cake flour
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. reduced-fat milk
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter

Chocolate Glaze:

• 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter

Pastry Cream: In a medium-sized heatproof bowl, mix the sugar and egg yolks. In another bowl, sift or whisk the flour and cornstarch together and then add to the egg mixture, mixing until you get a smooth paste. Meanwhile in a small saucepan, bring the milk just to a boil over medium heat. Pour the milk slowly into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. (Strain if necessary.) Then place the egg mixture into a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until boiling, whisking constantly. When it boils, continue to whisk constantly for another minute or so until it becomes thick. Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Pour into a clean bowl and immediately cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a crust from forming. Let the cream cool in the refrigerator for a few hours. 

Sponge Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Butter and line the bottoms of two-8 inch (23 cm) round cake pans with parchment paper. While the eggs are still cold separate three of the eggs, placing the yolks in one bowl and the whites in another bowl. To the yolks, add the two remaining eggs. Cover the bowls with plastic wrap and allow the eggs to come to room temperature (about 30 minutes). Meanwhile, in a bowl whisk together the flours, baking powder, and salt. Place the milk and butter in a small saucepan, over low heat, and warm until the butter melts. Remove from heat, cover, and keep warm.

In your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, (or with a hand mixer) beat the whole eggs and yolks and 1/2 cup (100 grams) of sugar on high speed until they are thick and fluffy (3-5 minutes) (when you slowly raise the beaters the batter will fall back into the bowl in a slow ribbon). Beat in the vanilla extract. In a clean bowl, with the whisk attachment, (or with a hand mixer) beat the egg whites at low speed until foamy. Increase the speed to medium-high and gradually add the remaining sugar, beating until soft, moist peaks form. Gently fold a little of the whites into the batter to lighten it, and then add the rest of the whites folding just until incorporated. Sift half of the flour mixture over the top of the batter and gently fold through with a rubber spatula or whisk. Sift the remaining flour over the batter and fold in. Make a well in the center of the batter and pour the melted butter/milk mixture into the bowl. Gently but thoroughly fold the butter mixture into the batter. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake for about 18 - 20 minutes or until light brown and springy to the touch. (A toothpick inserted in the middle will come out clean.) Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Immediately run a spatula around the inside of the pans and then invert the cakes onto a wire rack. Remove parchment paper and re-invert. Cool completely.

Chocolate Glaze: Place the chopped chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Bring the cream and butter just to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Immediately pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and gently stir until chocolate has melted. Set aside until it has thickened to pouring consistency.

Assemble: Place one cake layer on your serving plate, bottom side facing up. Spoon the pastry cream onto the cake, spreading to make an even layer. Place the second cake layer (top side up) onto the filling. Pour the glaze onto the center of the cake and, using an offset spatula, spread the glaze to the edges of the cake, allowing the glaze to drip down the sides. Let the cake sit until the glaze sets, about one hour. This cake is best eaten the same day it is made. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers. Serves 8-10.

Source: Adapted from Joy of Baking