Ina Garten’s Golden Boston Cream Pie Recipe: A Sweet Triumph

Indulgent Boston cream pie stands as a classic American dessert that combines rich, velvety layers with silky smooth cream and decadent chocolate glaze.

Each slice promises a symphony of textural contrasts and delectable flavors that dance across your palate.

The dessert originated in massachusetts, representing a quintessential sweet treat beloved by many generations.

Skillful bakers understand the intricate balance required to craft this elegant confection with precision and passion.

Sweet vanilla-infused cake layers nestle against luxurious pastry cream, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Chocolate ganache drapes dramatically over the top, transforming an ordinary cake into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Home bakers can elevate their dessert repertoire with this timeless, crowd-pleasing masterpiece: prepare to delight your senses.

Classic Ingredients for a Timeless Dessert

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and softness to the cake base.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a light, tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Adds richness, structure, and helps bind the cake ingredients.

• Whole Milk: Creates moisture and enhances the cake's tender crumb.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth cake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides classic background flavor to the cake.
• Orange Zest: Adds bright, citrusy notes to complement the cake.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Grand Marnier: Adds sophisticated orange liqueur flavor to the soak.
• Orange Juice: Creates a moist, citrusy soak for the cake layers.

• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Provides base for rich chocolate glaze.
• Bittersweet Chocolate: Adds depth and complexity to the chocolate glaze.
• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth, glossy texture for the chocolate glaze.
• Corn Syrup: Helps create a shiny, smooth chocolate glaze.
• Instant Coffee Granules: Enhances the chocolate flavor profile.

Bake and Assemble Boston Cream Like a Pro

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 325°F (160°C). Grab two 9-inch round cake pans. Grease them generously, line with parchment paper, then dust with flour. Set these ready-to-go pans aside.

Step 2: Create Liquid Magic

• Vanilla extract
• Orange zest

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Step 3: Whip Up the Base

Grab your mixer with the paddle attachment. Beat eggs and sugar on high speed for 4 minutes until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. Slowly pour in the warm milk mixture, then fold in the flour blend. Be gentle – no aggressive mixing!

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Slide into the oven for 22-25 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let cakes cool in pans for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 5: Craft the Citrus Soak

In a small pan, combine orange juice and sugar. Heat until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and splash in Grand Marnier. Set aside to cool.

Step 6: Chocolate Glaze dish

• Heavy cream
• Semisweet chocolate chips
• Bittersweet chocolate
• Corn syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Instant coffee granules

Stir until silky smooth. Let it rest for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a ribbon-like consistency.

Step 7: Layer and Assemble

• Bottom layer, cut side up
• Brush with orange soak
• Spread pastry cream

Repeat layering, ending with the top cake layer facing down.

Step 8: Chocolate Waterfall

Pour the glossy chocolate glaze over the entire cake, letting it cascade down the sides dramatically. Allow the cake to set for one hour before slicing and serving.

Tips for Rich Custard and Fluffy Cake

• Warm Milk Matters: Gently heating milk helps butter dissolve smoothly, creating a richer, more flavorful cake texture that melts in your mouth.
• Room Temperature Egg Trick: Letting eggs sit out for 30 minutes ensures they blend perfectly, preventing a dense cake and producing a lighter, airier crumb.
• Gentle Mixing Magic: Fold flour with a light hand to keep the batter tender, avoiding tough spots and maintaining the cake's delicate structure.
• Chocolate Glaze Perfection: Allow melted chocolate to cool for 25-30 minutes before pouring, guaranteeing a glossy, professional-looking finish that looks bakery-worthy.
• Citrus Soak Secret: Generously brush orange soak between cake layers to infuse moisture and bright, zesty flavor throughout the entire dessert.

Store Leftovers Without Losing Texture

• Preserve Layers Separately: Disassemble the cake, custard, and chocolate ganache before storing to maintain peak texture and flavor. Wrap each component individually in plastic wrap, placing them in separate airtight containers. Refrigerate components for maximum freshness, preventing sogginess and preserving the distinct layers.
• Vacuum Seal Method: Use a vacuum sealer to remove excess air, dramatically extending the pie's shelf life. This technique prevents moisture loss and freezer burn, keeping the dessert's delicate custard and cake layers pristine. Vacuum-sealed Boston Cream Pie can last up to 4 months in the freezer without quality degradation.
• Single-Slice Storage Hack: Cut remaining pie into individual portions before storing. Place each slice in a small sealed container or wrap tightly with press-and-seal wrap.

Fun Spins on Boston Cream Pie

• Citrus Splash Edition: Replace orange zest and Grand Marnier with lemon zest and limoncello for a bright, zesty flavor profile that adds refreshing notes to the classic dessert.
• Dark Chocolate Dream: Swap semisweet chocolate chips with intense dark chocolate (70% cocoa) and add a pinch of espresso powder to enhance the deep, rich chocolate glaze, creating a more sophisticated chocolate experience.
• Nutty Caramel Crunch: Incorporate finely chopped toasted almonds between cake layers and drizzle salted caramel sauce alongside the chocolate glaze for an extra layer of texture and complex flavor that elevates the traditional Boston cream pie.
• Seasonal Berry Fusion: Fold fresh raspberries or strawberries into the pastry cream and garnish the cake with additional fresh berries around the base, adding a vibrant and fruity dimension to the classic dessert.

Cream Pie Wrap-Up for Dessert Lovers

Culinary masterpieces often emerge from unexpected combinations, and Ina Garten’s Boston Cream Pie proves this delightful truth.

Mediterranean-inspired orange notes dance gracefully with rich chocolate undertones, creating symphonic flavor profiles.

Complex techniques transform simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience.

Elegant layers whisper stories of traditional American baking methods blended with modern sophistication.

Professional home bakers can recreate this remarkable confection with careful attention to technique.

Passionate dessert enthusiasts – share this recipe, comment below, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms while celebrating Ina Garten’s brilliant culinary artistry.

Why Everyone Loves Boston Cream Pie

• Elevate Classic Dessert: Transform the traditional Boston cream pie into a gourmet masterpiece with Ina Garten's sophisticated twist, featuring orange zest and Grand Marnier for an unexpected flavor burst.
• Texture Sensation: Experience a harmonious blend of soft, tender cake layers, silky smooth pastry cream, and rich, glossy chocolate glaze that creates an incredible mouthfeel with every single bite.
• Impressive Entertaining Showstopper: Craft a stunning dessert that looks professionally made but can be created at home, perfect for special occasions, dinner parties, or when you want to wow your guests with minimal complex technique.

Ina Garten Boston Cream Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Boston Cream Pie delights dessert enthusiasts with its classic New England charm. Layers of tender vanilla cake, silky pastry cream, and glossy chocolate ganache create a nostalgic sweet experience you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base Ingredients:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1½ cups sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 6 tablespoons (0.75 stick) unsalted butter
• 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon grated orange zest
• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Glaze and Flavor Enhancers:

• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 1¼ cups semisweet chocolate chips (7.5 ounces), such as Nestlé’s
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, such as Lindt, broken in pieces
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon instant coffee granules, such as Nescafé

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Instructions

1. Meticulously prepare the oven environment by heating to 160°C (325°F). Coat two 9-inch (23 cm) circular baking pans with butter, line with parchment paper, then dust with flour to ensure smooth cake release.
2. Create a warm infusion by gently heating milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium temperature. Remove from heat, incorporate vanilla extract and fresh orange zest. Allow mixture to rest, covered. Simultaneously, sift flour, baking powder, and salt through a fine-mesh strainer in a separate bowl.
3. Utilize an electric mixer with paddle attachment to whip eggs and granulated sugar at medium-high speed for approximately 4 minutes until the mixture transforms into a thick, pale yellow consistency. Gradually introduce the warm milk mixture, then fold in the sifted flour blend with delicate precision to maintain air bubbles.
4. Distribute batter evenly between prepared baking pans. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, monitoring with a toothpick for clean removal. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
5. Craft a citrusy syrup by simmering orange juice with sugar until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and enhance with Grand Marnier liqueur. Set aside for layering.
6. Construct a luxurious chocolate glaze using a double-boiler method. Combine heavy cream, semisweet chocolate chips, bittersweet chocolate, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and instant coffee granules. Stir periodically until achieving a silky smooth texture. Allow mixture to rest and thicken for 25 to 30 minutes.
7. Carefully slice each cake horizontally, creating four delicate layers. Position the bottom layer on a serving plate, brushing generously with one-third of the orange syrup. Spread a layer of pastry cream, repeating the process for subsequent layers. Conclude with the final cake layer facing downward.
8. Elegantly drape the chocolate glaze over the assembled cake, allowing it to cascade gracefully down the sides. Permit the dessert to stabilize for approximately one hour before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Drizzle chocolate glaze generously, letting it cascade beautifully down cake sides for a stunning presentation.
• Warm eggs naturally for better texture, preventing dense cake disasters by leaving them out 30 minutes before mixing.
• Fold flour gently into batter to maintain incredible lightness and tender crumb.
• Allow melted chocolate to cool smoothly, creating a glossy glaze that transforms your dessert into a professional-looking masterpiece.
• Saturate cake layers completely with orange soak, infusing each bite with bright, zesty citrus notes that elevate the entire dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (94g)
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 27g
• Sodium: 270mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 35mg