Sissy's Kitchen: Boston Cream Pie

I love Boston Cream Pie. I always have, even as a kid. My dad used to buy them at this pie place when I was little. Years later, I found a recipe for one in my stepdad's Betty Crocker cookbook. I was so excited! And then my stepdad said he really liked it too, so I knew I had to try it. Boston Cream Pie was actually the first thing I ever baked that wasn't from a box mix. Really, a pretty heavy undertaking for a fairly novice baker, but it turned out great. I now have my own Betty Crocker cookbook, but I've compared the recipes and they are the same. I usually make it for my stepdad's birthday, but I didn't get to this year, so when he invited us for Labor Day dinner, I said I'd make it for him.

For anybody who hasn't had a Boston Cream Pie (and if you haven't, what the heck are you waiting for), it's not actually a pie. It's a fabulously layered cake with a cream filling and a chocolate glaze. Really, it's heaven.

Boston Cream Pie
(from Betty Crocker)

Ingredients:
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar
1/3 c. shortening
3/4 milk
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg
Cream Filling
Chocolate Glaze

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and side of round pan, 9 x 1 1/2 inches, with shortening; lightly flour.

2. Beat all ingredients except Cream Filling and Chocolate Glaze in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.

3. Bake about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

4. Make Cram Filling and Chocolate Glaze. Split cake horizontally in half. Spread filling over bottom later; top with top layer. Spread glaze over top of cake. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Store covered in refrigerator.

Cream Filling
Ingredients:
1/3 c. sugar
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. milk
2 large egg yolks, slightly beaten
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix sugar, cornstarch, and salt in 2-quart saucepan. Mix milk and egg yolks; gradually stir into sugar mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 2 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Press plastic crap on filling to prevent a layer of skin from forming on top; cool.

Chocolate Glaze
Ingredients:
3 tbsp. butter or stick margarine
3 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate
1 c. powdered sugar
3/4 tsp. vanilla
About 2 tbsp. hot water

Melt butter and chocolate in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently; remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir in water, 1 tsp. at a time, until smooth and spreadable.

Sissy's Variations:
Since it was Labor Day and I didn't have anything else to do, I decided to make an attempt at Boston Cream Cupcakes. I've been wanting to do this for awhile. I made up another quick batch of batter and made a little over a dozen cupcakes.

I made another batch of cream filling, which I put in a pastry bag with a tip. I filled the cupcakes through a few different holes in the top. I thought I got enough in them, but we discovered upon eating them that I'm going to have to work on filling cupcakes.

The other thing I thought I wanted to try after having made it the day before was chocolate ganache instead of the chocolate glaze. They are pretty similar, but I was so nervous about screwing it up. The last couple of times I've made the glaze it hasn't quite turned out right. No matter what I do the texture is off--almost lumpy. So I thought the ganache would be perfect.

I went ahead made the chocolate glaze and decided to use it on the cake and the ganache on the cupcakes. Turned out, I had enough ganache to cover the cupcakes and the cake. I glazed the cake with the glaze and then topped it with the ganache. I think the outcome was prettier and had a richer chocolate flavor.