Boston Cream Pie Cake
Boston Cream Pie Cake – classic yellow cake with a custard filling and chocolate ganache.
Boston Cream Pie
It’s a classic cake that has been long overdue for me to make! I’ve had this one on my list for a couple years now and it’s one you’ve been requesting quite a bit lately too.
This cake has been around for decades and decades. It’s such a classic combination of flavors: yellow cake, vanilla custard and chocolate ganache. So as I thought about making my own version of this cake, I just knew I needed to keep it as simple and delicious as the original. No straying from a formula that’s already proven to be a hit.
For the cake, I used my classic yellow cake. Instead of making three layers, however, I only used two layers since the custard wouldn’t hold two layers above it. This also makes stacking the cake super easy. Plus there’s no frosting to decorate with!
For the custard, I made a homemade vanilla custard. However, you can certainly use a vanilla pudding mix for the filling if you’re in a time crunch and can’t make your own custard.
And to top this one off, we’re using a simple chocolate ganache. You can make it with semi-sweet or dark chocolate. I wouldn’t use milk chocolate, as it will change the ratio of chocolate to cream and won’t provide the same flavor.
Helpful Tips
- Make the custard ahead of time – you want the custard to be plenty stable to hold a cake layer on top of it. I recommend you make the custard at least a day before you plan to serve the cake
- If you’re in a pinch for time, skip the homemade custard and use vanilla pudding instead.
- Make the cake layers ahead of time and freeze the layers wrapped well in plastic wrap to keep them fresh.
Boston Cream Pie Cake
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter room temperature
- 1/3 cup (72 g) canola oil
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 5 whole eggs room temperature
- 2 eggs yolks room temperature
- 3 cups (345 g) cake flour
- 2 teaspoons (8 g) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (5.6 g) salt
- 1 cup (240 g) sour cream room temperature
- 1 teaspoon (4.2 g) clear vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon (4.2 g) butter extract
For the Custard
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons (17 g) corn starch sifted
- 2 cups (480 g) whole milk
- 1 tsp (4.2 g) vanilla extract
For the Ganache
- 1/2 cup (116 g) heavy cream
- 1 cup (150 g) semi sweet or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
FOR THE CAKE
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Prepare two 8" round cake pans with non-stick spray, parchment and another coat of spray. Set aside.
- In a medium size bowl, sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, canola oil, and sugar on high until fluffy and smooth, about 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs and egg yolks, one at a time to the bowl and beat on medium until well incorporated.
- Turn the mixer on low and add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until fully incorporated. Then add half of the sour cream and blend well, followed by another 1/3 of the flour mixture, the second half of the sour cream and lastly, add the remaining flour mixture and mix until incorporated.
- Add the clear vanilla extract and butter extract and beat on low until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix on low for another 30 seconds.
- Evenly distribute the cake batter among the two pans (about 25 to 28 ounces in each) and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cakes comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. Make sure not to over bake.
- Remove cakes from the oven and let cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto cooling racks.
- Once completely cooled, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the freezer or refrigerator to chill before frosting.
For the Custard
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk the sugar and egg yolks. Add the cornstarch and whisk until the mixture is light yellow and a bit thick.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and vanilla. Just before the milk begins to boil, remove it from the heat.
- Very slowly, add the milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly to avoid curdling the eggs. When you’ve combined all the milk with the egg mixture, pour the mixture back into the saucepan and return to the stove.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat until it has thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Ganache
- In a microwave safe bowl, heat the cream for about one minute. Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for about two minutes. Stir to combine and create a silky, smooth texture.
- Let cool slightly before using on the cake.
Assembly
- Place the first cake layer, top side up, on a cake plate.
- Evenly spread about 1.5 to 2 cups of the custard over the cake layer, being careful to not get too close to the edge of the cake.
- Place the second cake layer, top side down, on the custard.
- Carefully spread the chocolate ganache over the top of the cake, allow the chocolate to fall over the sides of the cake.
Does the custard soak into the cake after it is assembled??
YUUUUUUUM!!!!
Am I right in assuming this will need to be served and eaten right away? Will the custard absorb into the layers?
Dear Courtney, can I use 1 cup of buttermilk instead of I cup of sour cream? Will the texture of the cake be different?
Yes you can.
Hi!! What if I can’t find butter extract near me,…what is a good substitute in a time crunch since I’m not able to order the butter extract to arrive om time.
Thanks!
Hi! Do I have to use clear vanilla extract?
No.
What brand chocolate do you personally use for chocolate ganache, if you don’t mind sharing!?
Guittard
8″ pans are too small. I was suspicious and was right. It is baking all over my oven. The batter tasted good.
The batter works for 8 inch. Could be a problem with your leavening agent or altitude.
A friend asked me to make her a Boston Creme cake for her birthday – there will be about 30 people in attendance. I suspect this wouldn’t quite feed that many people? Would the easiest thing to do be to make 6″ layers to stack on top of the 8″ layers?
The chocolate instruction is easy and comes out great. The cream comes out a little runnier than wanted, even when refridgerated for the recommended time. I ended up adjusting it with more cornstarch. The cake however, is dense but moist. I would leave out the BUTTER EXTRACT. It gives a rancid after taste. I made this several times and finally left out the butter extract and it was SO much better.