Chef John's Boston Cream Pie

Serves: 5

Jonathan Flatley

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

49

Spice

43

Sweetness

55

Sourness

38

mins

Prep time (avg)

5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

3

Eggs

1.25 cups

Water

2 tbsps

Cornstarch

6 tbsps

White Sugar

1 cup

Whole Milk

1 tsp

Butter

1 pinch

Salt

Directions:

1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)

2

Spray 2 (8-inch) cake pans with cooking spray

3

Stir yellow cake mix, 3 eggs, water, and vegetable oil in a bowl until moistened

4

Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally

5

Divide cake batter between the two prepared cake pans

6

Bake in the preheated oven until cakes have risen and are lightly golden brown, 33 to 38 minutes

7

Check for doneness after 25 minutes

8

A toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes should come out clean

9

Allow cakes to cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the pans

10

Cool cakes completely, about 40 minutes

11

Whisk 3 eggs, cornstarch, and sugar in a large bowl until well mixed and lemon colored, 2 to 3 minutes

12

Set aside

13

Heat 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whole milk, and 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to boil

14

Reduce heat to low; pour egg mixture into cream mixture and whisk until thick, about 1 minute

15

Pour egg and cream mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl; discard any chunks

16

Whisk vanilla and salt into the egg and cream mixture until combined

17

Cover with a layer of plastic wrap pressed against the surface

18

Chill in refrigerator to form a pastry cream texture, 3 to 4 hours

19

Place chocolate in a large bowl

20

Heat 1 teaspoon butter and 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted

21

Pour cream mixture over chocolate and whisk until smooth

22

Set aside until cooled, but still pourable, about 20 minutes

23

Place one cake layer on a plate, flat side up

24

Spread pastry cream to within 1-inch of the edge of cake

25

Place second cake layer on top, rounded side up

26

Press gently to push pastry cream to the edge

27

Pour chocolate mixture over top of the cake and spread so it drips over the edge