Recipe lost- recipe found for the family favorite Boston Cream Pie. It’s a pie that is really a cake; light, delicate layers filled with vanilla custard and iced with a rich chocolate glaze. Memories gathered from Beacon Street and the fine foods of Boston bring forward a little gem of classic dessert.
If you haven’t enjoyed a real Boston Cream Pie this is a recipe to try. A lovely little heirloom recipe that combines three culinary basics: sponge cake, vanilla pastry cream (crème pâtissière) and chocolate glaze (ganache). First sampling the “pies” during a summer in Boston, I would return home to Beacon Street each day armed with an arsenal of new recipes gathered from the fine cuisine of Boston.
Every little jewel recipe has a story and Boston Cream Pie is no exception. The short story is that it was most likely called a “pie” because in mid-nineteenth century New England pie tins were common but most home bakers did not have cake pans. The recipe was named in honor of city of Boston because the first “cream cake” recipe claims to have come from the Parker House Restaurant (yes, of Parker House Rolls fame) in 1856. Boston Cream Pie was finally made the official state dessert of Massachusetts in 1996.
Recipe lost – During a holiday visit my son put in a request for the beloved Boston Cream Pie, however, the 1931 KC Baking Powder Cook Booklet that contained the recipe had gone missing (a very slim little jewel that likes to hide among the cookbooks). Recipe found – the wonderful Canal House Cookbook, Volume 6, contained a Boston Cream Pie recipe that sounded like the real deal and most happily it was indeed.
The only slight adaptation was made out of necessity – without cake or pastry flour, I made a cake flour substitution by adding cornstarch to all-purpose flour. My tips include using a whisk while making the pastry cream filling to ward off any lumps and pouring rather than spreading the chocolate icing, beginning from the center and working outward, creating a beautiful thick glaze that artfully cascades down the sides of the pie.
Boston Cream Pie a little heirloom jewel to share in this Happy New Year 2012.
P.S. The little missing cookbook was found – more recipes to follow- also a very special thanks to my son for assisting me with this photo shoot.
As always, enjoy. B
Oh my, looks perfectly delicate and such a great story about the recipe!
That silly little cook booklet is one I picked up at a tag sale then -it keeps disappearing and reappearing, but a chance to try a new recipe. Thank you and Happy 2012!
Looks lovely!
Hi Natalie! Thank you for being a part of Bijouxs!
Looks devine! Pinned ya on Pinterest.
Loved baking up this family favorite. Thanks for the pin Tammy!
absolutely gorgeous —this would definitely make me shut my “pie hole”! no doubt just as delicious as it looks
-rip
This little gem would be a walk in the park for a pastry chef like you! Happy New Year Rip!
I’m a sucker for good Boston Cream Pie, but never bothered to make it homemade before! Thanks for posting the recipe!
Hi Erika! Very happy to hear from a young chef – keep cooking! A lost recipe lead me to another new recipe – the continual joy of cooking. Thank you!
Boston cream pie was the first “fancy” food I fell in love with. You should have seen my little league team when I brought to the pizza party! GREG
It’s evident you have always been a man of great taste! Happy New Year Greg!
Thank you for this recipe! I made it and it turned out beautifully. One for dessert after dinner with friends and another as a gift. I have now recommended your site to several friends. Please keep posting, it’s elegant.
Hi Matthew! I am so happy that you enjoyed the Boston Cream Pie(s) they are a family favorite, a little jewel recipe lost and then found. Thank you so much for your kind words about Bijouxs and hope to hear from you again.
I haven’t had Boston Cream Pie in years! I remember always seeing it in cafeterias when I was growing up. Of course it was nothing compared to yours!
I just made this and it was fantastic!
Yay! These ‘pies’ are one of our family favorites! Thank you so much!