Boston Cream Cake
🍰 Ingredients
For the Cake
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 large eggs
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1 cup milk
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Pastry Cream Filling
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2 cups whole milk
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1/2 cup sugar
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4 large egg yolks
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1/4 cup cornstarch
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2 tablespoons butter
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Ganache
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1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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1 tablespoon butter (optional, for shine)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Cake
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
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In a bowl, beat sugar and softened butter until fluffy.
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Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
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In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk, mixing just until combined.
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Divide batter between pans and bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Cool completely.
2. Make the Pastry Cream
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Heat milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling.
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In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
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Slowly pour warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking.
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Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick.
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Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
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Cover with plastic wrap touching the surface and refrigerate until cool.
3. Make the Ganache
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Heat the heavy cream until just simmering.
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Pour over chocolate chips in a bowl.
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Let sit 2–3 minutes, then stir until smooth.
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Add butter for extra shine (optional).
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Let cool slightly until thickened but still pourable.
4. Assemble the Boston Cream Cake
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Place one cake layer on a serving plate.
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Spread the chilled pastry cream evenly over the top.
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Gently place the second cake layer on top.
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Pour the ganache over the cake, letting it drip down the sides.
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Chill for at least 1 hour before cutting.
✨ Tips for Success
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Cool everything completely before assembling so the cream doesn’t slide.
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For a taller cake, use 3 layers and increase pastry cream slightly.
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Cake is even better the next day as the flavors meld.
If you’d like, I can give you a Boston Cream Poke Cake, Boston Cream Cupcakes, or a no-fail shortcut version using boxed cake mix and instant pudding.