Boston Cream Pie: The Sweetest Thing About Boston

Welcome to the sweetest corner of the internet! Today, we're going to talk about Boston's most mouth-watering masterpiece, the one and only Boston Cream Pie. 

First things first, let's clear the air and address the elephant in the room. A Boston Cream Pie is NOT a pie. I repeat, NOT a pie. It’s a cake. So why the misleading name? As the story goes, the dessert was created in the Parker House Hotel in Boston back in the 1800s. The pastry chef at the time loved to experiment, and what started out as a simple sponge cake quickly evolved into a sophisticated three-layered cake filled with creamy vanilla custard and topped with a decadent dark chocolate ganache. The hotel’s owner was so impressed that he named it the “Boston Cream Pie”, and the rest is history.

Now, let's talk about the stars of the show – the filling and frosting. The creamy, velvety vanilla custard oozes out from the middle of the cake, and the bittersweet chocolate ganache beautifully coats the top, making it a perfectly balanced dessert. It’s like taking a bite of heaven. As someone with a sweet tooth the size of Boston, I must admit, I'm in love with the custard-y goodness of this cake. The filling is so scrumptious that I could eat a bowl of it on its own. And let's not forget about the icing on the cake – the chocolate ganache. It's rich with a hint of bitterness and just the right amount of sweetness. I could go on, but I think you get the point - the two elements of this cake are a match made in heaven.

But where can you find this beloved dessert? While you can probably find it in any bakery worth its salt, there are some places that are better known for their Boston cream pies. One of these is the Parker House Hotel in Boston, where it all began. Their recipe is still a closely guarded secret, but you can indulge in their world-famous Boston Cream Pie at their restaurant, Parker’s. Another fantastic option is Mike’s Pastry, a quintessential Italian bakery located in the heart of Boston's famous North End. Their Boston Cream Pie is a sight for sore eyes and a treat for your taste buds. Trust me; it's worth the long lines.

If you're a foodie, you’ve probably heard of the TV series ‘The Great British Bake Off’, the ultimate baking competition show. In the US, we have ‘The Great American Baking Show,’ and a Boston Cream Pie is a mainstay on the show. Contestants must recreate this masterpiece and impress the judges with their versions of the classic cake. It’s pretty much a baking staple.

Boston cream pie remains one of the most celebrated desserts around the world. It's an elegant and classic dessert that can turn any occasion into a celebration. Next time you find yourself in Boston or any area that offers a Boston Cream Pie, make sure you try it. Trust me; it'll be worth the carbs. After all, life is short, but dessert isn't.

Sources:

https://www.omnihotels.com/blog/boston-cream-pie-recipe-original/#:~:text=The%20dessert%20was%20first%20created,Cookies%20and%20the%20Fig%20Newton

https://preppykitchen.com/boston-cream-pie/

https://thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk/bake-offs/rachel-white-boston-cream-pie-cookie-cups/