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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Easy Boston Cream Pie Recipe (Using Cake Mix)

    Easy Boston Cream Pie Recipe (Using Cake Mix)

    Published: Oct 20, 2020 · Modified: Jan 27, 2021 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

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    Boston cream pie is a yellow buttery sponge cake with creamy custard filling this is topped with a fudgy chocolate ganache glaze. This recipe keeps it easy, using a cake mix for simplicity, but with a quick technique that keeps the sponge cake texture.

    Slices of cakes on plates, with remaining cake on a cake plate.

    The History of Boston Cream Pie

    Why is it called pie when it is a cake? That is the million-dollar question!

    Apparently, back in the mid-1800s when it was invented, pie plates were the most common cooking vessel. These cakes were originally baked in pie plates, and thus called "pie."

    Boston cream pie was named the official state dessert of Massachusetts in 1996. If you want to know more about iconic Massachusetts food, take a look at our state dinner post.

    And if you love old-fashioned dessert recipes you are definitely going to want to check out my Granny Cake recipe as well as Sugar Cream Pie!

    How Do You Make Boston Cream Pie?

    There are three simple components to this cake:

    1. Cream Filling
    2. Sponge Cake
    3. Chocolate Ganache Frosting

    Step One: Make the Cream Filling

    • We start with making the cream filling because it takes a while to cool.
    • Combine the egg yolk, sugar, and cornstarch together. It will look a little bit like cooked egg yolk.
    • Add this yolk mixture and the half and half to a saucepan and cook on medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Raise the temperature and let it boil for one minute.
    • Remove the pan from the stove and whisk in butter and vanilla.
    Egg whites and sugar in bowl.

    Step Two: Refrigerate the Cream Custard

    • The custard should be nice and thick, but it will continue to thicken as it cools.
    • Transfer the custard into a bowl. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the the custard and press along the top, as well as on the sides of the bowl, to remove any air pockets. The plastic wrap should be directly along the surface of the custard. This keeps a film from forming on the top of the custard.
    • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
    Boston cream filling in a bowl, covered with plastic wrap.

    Step Three: Beat Egg Whites for the Cake

    • This recipe takes the easy route to a buttery sponge cake and uses a cake mix. Another recipe that uses cake mix as a shortcut are these Easy Black Forest Cupcakes! For this recipe, the coveted sponge-cake texture is achieved by whipping the egg whites separate from the yolks. Beat them on high speed with a whisk attachment until they form stiff peaks.
    • To test if they are stiff, use a spoon or your whisk attachment to scoop into the egg whites. If it leaves a crevice and a peak that stands tall, it is ready. If the peak starts to droop, beat it some more.
    Bowl of egg whites that were beaten to stiff peaks.

    Step Four: Mix Cake Ingredients

    • Put all of the cake ingredients, except for the egg whites, into a large mixing bowl and beat for two minutes.
    • Gently fold in the egg whites. To fold in the egg whites, use a large spatula, and cut into the egg whites, scooping the spatula under the batter mixture, then turn over onto the egg whites. Do this softly so that you keep the texture of the egg whites.
    • You will end up with a batter that has lots of little air bubbles, and little pockets of egg whites. All of the egg white should be incorporated throughout the batter.
    • Line cake pans with parchment paper and spray the paper and pans with nonstick spray. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
    • Cool completely before assembling.
    Bowl of cake batter with egg whites folded in.

    Step Five: Begin Assembling the Cake

    • Place one layer of the cake onto a cake plate or serving platter.
    • Spoon the custard filling over the top of the cake, to the ends. You may have as much as a half cup of custard left over.
    One layer of yellow cake on cake platter, with cream filling being spread over the cake.

    Step Six: Make the Ganache

    • It is best to make the ganache right before pouring over the cake. It should pour easily onto the cake, only requiring a little guidance from your spatula to coat the top of the cake and begin falling down the sides.
    • Place the cream, corn syrup, and chocolate in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the chocolate is melted.
      *Note: I normally love dark chocolate, but prefer semi-sweet chocolate for this recipe. Use the baking squares, not chips. Chocolate chips are designed to hold their shape in baking, so the squares melt much better.
    • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
    • Place the second cake layer on top of the filling.
    • Pour ganache over the top. Spread gently to the cake edges.
    Ganache frosting being poured over Boston Cream Pie.

    Tips and FAQs

    Can I use something other than corn syrup?

    Corn syrup gives the ganache the classic Boston Cream Pie shine. It is gorgeous, but if you don't want to use corn syrup you can substitute honey. While not exactly the same, it still gives a little gloss. You could also leave the corn syrup out entirely. It is not necessary for the flavor of the ganache.

    What if my custard has lumps?

    Some small lumps in the custard is normal. If you want a completely smooth custard, strain it using a fine-mesh sieve.

    Does Boston Cream Pie need to be refrigerated?

    Because of the custard filling, Boston Cream Pie does need to be refrigerated. Wrapped tightly, it will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Can I make this ahead?

    Both the custard and the filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. The ganache should be made right before assembling. If you want the entire cake made and assembled in advance you can do that up to 24 hours ahead.

    Related Recipes and Links

    More Massachusetts Recipes:

    • Clam Chowder
    • Fluffernutter Sandwiches

    More Chocolate Recipes:

    • Bourbon Chocolate Walnut Pecan Pie
    • Ultimate Gooey Chocolate Brownies Recipe
    • Maine Whoopie Pies Recipe
    Pinterest Pin: Creamy, fudgy Boston cream pie.

    Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind the scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!

    Slice of Boston Cream Pie on a plate.

    Boston Cream Pie

    Recipe by: Erin
    An easy sponge cake is made using a cake mix for simplicity. The cake is filled with a creamy custard and topped with a rich fudgy chocolate ganache glaze.
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Resting Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 45 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 549 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Cream Filling

    • 4 egg yolks
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 4 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 2 cups half and half
    • ¼ cup butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Cake

    • 1 yellow cake mix
    • 4 eggs, separated
    • 1 cup milk
    • ½ cup butter melted, and cooled slightly
    • 1 package (3.4 ounce) vanilla instant pudding

    Chocolate Ganache Glaze

    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 2 tablespoons corn syrup
    • 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate Use baking squares, not chocolate chips, for best results
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Making the Custard

    • Separate eggs and store egg whites for another use.
      In a small bowl, mix egg yolks with sugar and cornstarch.
    • Add egg yolk mixture and half and half to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
      Increase heat until it begins bubbling. Let it bubble for 1 minute.
    • Remove pan from heat and whisk in butter and vanilla.
    • Pour into a bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic wrap directly against the custard. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

    Making the Cake

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 9-inch cake pans with nonstick spray. Line with parchment circles and spray the parchment as well.
    • Separate egg whites from egg yolk. Save egg yolk for later in the recipe.
      Place egg whites in a mixing bowl. Using the whisk attachment of your stand or hand mixer, beat on high speed for several minutes, until stiff peaks form. (See notes under step 3 of the blog for tips on how to know if you have stiff peaks.)
    • In a separate bowl, mix together cake mix, egg yolks, milk, butter, and pudding mix and beat for 2 minutes.
      Gently fold in egg whites.
    • Evenly pour batter into the cake pans. Bake 25-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
      Cool for 5 minutes. Remove the cake from pans and cool completely.

    Making the Chocolate Ganache Frosting

    • Heat cream, corn syrup, and chocolate in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the chocolate is completely melted.
      Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla. Use immediately.

    Assembling the Cake

    • Place one layer of cake onto a cake plate or serving platter.
      Spread the custard over the top of the cake layer, spreading to the edges.
      Place the second cake layer on top of the custard.
      Pour the ganache onto the center of the top cake layer. Once all of the ganache has been poured onto the cake, use a spatula to spread to the edges. Allow some of the ganache to drip down the sides.
    • Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving. This can be made up to 24 hours in advance.

    Notes

    The nutritional facts provided are only estimates. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 549kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 181mg | Sodium: 523mg | Potassium: 212mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 842IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. DSP

      November 15, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      Unable to print your Boston Cream recipe. Why not?
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Erin

        November 15, 2022 at 2:23 pm

        Hi there! I am not sure why it is not working for you. I just double-checked and it works fine on my end. Are you clicking "print recipe" in the recipe card?

        Reply
    2. Nicole

      August 26, 2022 at 1:09 pm

      Unfortunately I thought cooled butter meant it came straight from the refrigerator. No mention of melting the butter first. Oops

      Reply
      • Erin

        August 29, 2022 at 10:38 am

        Oh no! I have added some clarification to the recipe. Thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    3. Mary

      August 07, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      4 stars
      Overall, I found the recipe easy to follow. However, the custard filling came out very thick and it was hard to spread on the cake. I followed the recipe as written, so I don't understand why the custard was so thick. Any suggestions? The ganache came out very well and went onto the cake easily.

      Reply
      • Erin

        August 07, 2022 at 4:04 pm

        I am sorry that you had difficulty with the custard. It sounds like you may have had too much cornstarch, which would occur if the cornstarch was packed into the measuring spoon. The total cornstarch should weigh 30 grams. You can thin your custard by whisking in a little additional half and half or even regular milk.

        Reply
    4. Kearstin

      May 02, 2021 at 1:47 pm

      5 stars
      I love Boston Cream Pie but always thought it would be too complicated to make. This recipe is so easy! I am not a great cook but your instructions were easy to follow, and using a cake mix made it so simple!

      Reply
      • Erin

        May 06, 2021 at 3:22 pm

        Such a fun surprise! I am glad to hear that the instructions were helpful and that you enjoyed the cake!

        Reply

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