Boston Cream Pie is the perfect classic dessert that looks fancy but is totally doable at home. You get two soft cake layers filled with a smooth vanilla custard, then the whole cake is topped with a glossy chocolate ganache that sets into the prettiest finish (yes, it’s gorgeous AND delicious!)
What makes this recipe so good is the combination of textures. The chilled custard layer stays creamy and rich, the cake stays soft, and the ganache adds that rich chocolate bite that makes every slice feel like a bakery dessert. This is one we love making for birthdays and family celebrations.
If you love this recipe, be sure to try Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Cake, Eclairs, and Chocolate Cream Pie, all rich desserts that are always a hit.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Make ahead friendly. Components can be prepared ahead for easier assembly.
- Impressive but simple. Looks bakery style but is very doable at home. Make this easy cake recipe even easier by using store bought cake rounds!
- Custard thickens smoothly. Egg yolks and cornstarch create a rich filling that sets as it chills.
- Easy, glossy ganache. Hot cream melts the chocolate chips into a smooth topping that sets beautifully.
Boston Cream Pie Ingredients
Cake
- White or yellow cake rounds baked and cooled (2, 8 inch): Provides the soft, fluffy layers that hold the custard filling. You will need two fully baked round layers of yellow cake, white, or Vanilla Cake. I prefer 8 inch rounds but 9 inch cake pans also work. Purchase at the bakery, use a box cake mix, or your favorite homemade recipe.
Custard
- Egg yolks (4 large): Creates a rich, smooth custard base. See How to Separate Egg Whites from yolks.
- Sugar (½ cup): Sweetens the custard and balances the flavors.
- Cornstarch (¼ cup): Thickens the custard so it sets properly between the layers.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Whole milk (1½ cups): Forms the base of the custard and creates a creamy texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Adds classic flavor to the custard.
- Butter cut into pieces (2 tablespoons): Adds richness and smoothness to the custard.
Ganache
- Heavy whipping cream (¾ cup): Creates a smooth, pourable ganache.
- Semi sweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Melts into the ganache for a rich chocolate topping.
How to Make Boston Cream Pie
PASTRY CREAM FILLING. In a medium saucepan, whisk 4 large eggs, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, and ¼ teaspoon salt until well combined and no lumps remain.
Whisk in 1½ cups milk until well combined. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat for 2 to 4 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk constantly.
Remove from heat and whisk in 1 tablespoon vanilla. Add 2 tablespoons pieces of butter, and stir until completely melted and smooth.
Pour the custard into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until completely chilled.
ASSEMBLE. Level 2 (8-inch) sponge cake rounds. Place one of the cake rounds on a serving plate.
Gently spread the cooled custard evenly over the cake layer with an offset spatula. Add the second cake layer on top.
GANACHE. Add 1 cup chocolate chips to a medium bowl. Add ¾ cup heavy whipping cream to a separate microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, and heat one minute on high, or until boiling.
Pour the hot milk mixture over the chocolate chips and let stand for one minute. Using a fork, stir the ganache until it is smooth and the chocolate has melted completely.
Pour the chocolate glaze over room temperature cake, spreading evenly. Let stand 30-60 minutes, until the ganache has cooled and set.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Whisk the custard constantly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth texture.
- Despite your best efforts, the egg mixture might scramble a little. To ensure a smooth custard, pour the cooked cream through a fine-mesh strainer to catch any small bits of egg that may have scrambled.
- If the cream is still too runny after 4 minutes add more cornstarch.
- Chill the custard completely before assembling so it holds its shape.
- Level the cake layers for a more even and stable dessert.
- Let ganache cool slightly before pouring so it spreads evenly.
- The ganache topping can thicken and make it tricky to cut clean slices. Use hot water to heat the blade of a large kitchen knife, wipe it dry, and slice. The hot blade should cut right through all the layers.
- Pipe a spiderweb. Use white icing to pipe on a spiral design that starts in the center and extends to the edge. Use a toothpick or wooden skewer to pull the white icing out every few centimeters along the entire spiral. Be sure to stop before you touch or connect your pulled icing with the line of icing in the spiral.
- The chocolate ganache is a simple classic, but you can also add a dusting of powdered sugar, toasted coconut, sliced almonds, and dark or white chocolate shavings.
Boston Cream Pie Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 (8-inch) white or yellow cake rounds, baked and cooled
for the custard:
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup corn starch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
for the ganache:
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Custard
- In a medium saucepan, whisk eggs, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until well combined and no lumps remain.
- Whisk in milk until well combined. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat for 2 to 4 minutes, or until thickened. Whisk constantly.
- Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla. Add pieces of butter, and stir until completely melted and smooth.
- Pour the custard into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until completely chilled.
Assemble the cake
- To assemble the cake, level 2 (8-inch) cake rounds using a serrated knife or cake leveler.
- Place one of the cake rounds on a serving plate, and gently spread the cooled custard evenly over the cake layer. Add the remaining cake layer on top.
Ganache
- Add chocolate chips to a medium bowl. Add heavy whipping cream to a separate microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup, and heat one minute on high, or until boiling.
- Pour the hot whipping cream over the chocolate chips and let stand for one minute. Using a fork, stir the ganache until it is smooth and the chocolate has melted completely.
- Pour the ganache over the cake, spreading evenly. Let stand 30-60 minutes, until the ganache has cooled and set.
Notes
- Whisk the custard constantly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth texture.
- Despite your best efforts, the egg mixture might scramble a little. To ensure a smooth custard, pour the cooked cream through a fine-mesh strainer to catch any small bits of egg that may have scrambled.
- If the cream is still too runny after 4 minutes add more cornstarch.
- Chill the custard completely before assembling so it holds its shape.
- Level the cake layers for a more even and stable dessert.
- Let ganache cool slightly before pouring so it spreads evenly.
- This cake can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until ready to serve.
- The ganache topping can thicken and make it tricky to cut clean slices. Use hot water to heat the blade of a large kitchen knife, wipe it dry, and slice. The hot blade should cut right through all the layers.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Prepare the different elements of the cake ahead of time and assemble the cake before serving. Freeze the cake layers up to a month ahead of time. The custard can be made 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Cover the leftover Boston cream pie recipe loosely with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. I do not recommend freezing the cake as the cornstarch in the cream filling will compromise the texture when it thaws.
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Thank you Alicia from The Baker Upstairs.
This recipe was first shared June, 2019.
Not the best recipe for flavor or consistency. Needs better directions when it comes to the custard.
Thanks for your feedback and for giving the recipe a try!
needing help with making the custard thick, its wanting to stay runny and I’ve also had it in the fridge for 2 hours. how long does it need to be in the fridge before using it on the cake?
I want to use this recipe but I’m making a 10 inch. How would I alter to make a bigger cake?
I’m not exactly sure. I would probably 1.5x or double the recipe and then just fill with the amount of custard preferred (you can always use the photos as a guide) and top with the ganache similarly. You might have extra of the custard/ganache doing it that way, but better safe than sorry I guess! 🙂
This was easy and delicious, our guests were full of compliments!
Thankyou
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that you all enjoyed the recipe!!
I’m gluten free and lactose intolerant, so I used King Arthur gluten free yellow cake mix and Lactaid whole milk. This cake was outstanding! Have made it 4 times since February. My sister asked for a Boston Cream pie for her birthday and since it has been years since I have even baked a yellow cake, I panicked. But I found this recipe and adapted it to my food allergies and was hugely surprised. It was so easy to create and tasted great! The second time I made the cake I reduced the vanilla in the custard by 1 teaspoon as I thought the flavor was too strong, but that’s my preference. If using gluten free cake mix, DON’T use Betty Crocker gluten free. No taste and very gritty. Everyone keeps asking me to bring this cake! Best cake ever and a showstopper!
Thank you so much for sharing!! I love that you found the recipe and tweaked it to work for you. And it sounds like it has been a success!! I’m so glad you all enjoy the cake!
Hi,I’m making this soon,one question,after cake is all assembled,I put it back in the fridge for 30-60 minutes before serving,right ? It says to let stand,I’m assuming I put it in fridge for this.
Thankyou,
I know it will be a hit!
Yay! You can let it set out at room temperature to set. You could also put it in the fridge. It would definitely set quicker if put in the fridge. I hope you enjoy it! You’ll have to let us know how it turns out.
Can I use a lactose free milk for the custard? and a dairy free heavy whipping cream for the ganache? Please let me know, I’m looking forward to trying this out soon. thank you.
Yes, both of those substitutions should yield a similar result. I have never tried it using the dairy free options, but I imagine they would work fine. You’ll have to let me know how it turns out!
Do I stir or wisk the filling while it’s being heated?
I whisk it. The whisk helps to create a much smoother custard.
I made the boston creme cake for my daughTer’s bIrthday and Everyone raved about how delicious the cake was. It was messy to cut but the guests didn’t mind one bit. It was all gone in a matter of minutes. She said it was better than Nana’s, and Nana’s was her favorite until now.
Woohoo!! Love to hear things like this! Thank you so much for letting me know!
Boston cream Pie is a favorite of my husbands. the picture you took of the cake slice looks sooo yummy! What recipe do you use for your cake?
Love Bostom cream flavor! This recipe is from Alicia at http://www.thebakerupstairs.com/. I am not sure if she used a store bought cake or made from scratch. But, you can always leave her a comment regarding the recipe.
Making this for my son’s birthday party!