It's not actually a pie, and it’s not a typical cake, either—but the Boston cream pie is a classic all-American dessert nonetheless. 


How to Make a Classic Boston Cream Pie

Boston cream pie isn't a pie at all—it's a two-layer sponge cake with a vanilla custard or pastry cream filling and chocolate topping. The cake itself is light, complementing the richness of the cream filling. Instead of frosting, the topping is usually a [simple, sophisticated ganache](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-dominique-ansels-chocolate-ganache-recipe). 

The term “Boston cream pie” first appeared in print in 1855. During the nineteenth century, the terms "pie" and "cake" were used interchangeably, since the two desserts were usually baked in the same <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/cookware-guide-types-of-pans-and-how-to-use-them' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/cookware-guide-types-of-pans-and-how-to-use-them","linkCopy":"type of pans","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>type of pans</a>. Boston cream pie likely evolved from the Washington pie, a two-layer cake filled with jam and topped with powdered sugar. The Boston version simply swapped the jam for vanilla pudding. The chocolate glaze, now considered essential to the Boston cream pie, didn't appear until the 1930s, and it wasn't widely popular until Betty Crocker recommended the chocolate topping in 1945. The chocolate version of the dessert took off, and in 1996, Boston cream pie became the official dessert of the state of Massachusetts. 

To store Boston cream pie, tightly wrap the cake in plastic wrap. Covered in plastic, Boston cream pie will last one day at room temperature or a week in the fridge. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

It's not actually a pie, and it’s not a typical cake, either—but the Boston cream pie is a classic all-American dessert nonetheless.

Boston cream pie isn&#39;t a pie at all—it&#39;s a two-layer sponge cake with a vanilla custard or pastry cream filling and chocolate topping. The cake itself is light, complementing the richness of the cream filling. Instead of frosting, the topping is usually a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-dominique-ansels-chocolate-ganache-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/chef-dominique-ansels-chocolate-ganache-recipe","linkCopy":"simple, sophisticated ganache","category":null}'>simple, sophisticated ganache</a>.

What Is Boston Cream Pie?

The term “Boston cream pie” first appeared in print in 1855. During the nineteenth century, the terms &quot;pie&quot; and &quot;cake&quot; were used interchangeably, since the two desserts were usually baked in the same <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/cookware-guide-types-of-pans-and-how-to-use-them' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/cookware-guide-types-of-pans-and-how-to-use-them","linkCopy":"type of pans","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>type of pans</a>. Boston cream pie likely evolved from the Washington pie, a two-layer cake filled with jam and topped with powdered sugar. The Boston version simply swapped the jam for vanilla pudding. The chocolate glaze, now considered essential to the Boston cream pie, didn&#39;t appear until the 1930s, and it wasn&#39;t widely popular until Betty Crocker recommended the chocolate topping in 1945. The chocolate version of the dessert took off, and in 1996, Boston cream pie became the official dessert of the state of Massachusetts.

A Brief History of the Boston Cream Pie

To store Boston cream pie, tightly wrap the cake in plastic wrap. Covered in plastic, Boston cream pie will last one day at room temperature or a week in the fridge. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

How to Store Boston Cream Pie

Classic Boston Cream Pie Recipe

It&#39;s not actually a pie, and it’s not a typical cake, either—but the Boston cream pie is a classic all-American dessert nonetheless.