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A slice of Boston Cream Cake with layers of soft vanilla sponge cake, rich custard filling, and a smooth chocolate ganache topping, served on a floral plate. This elegant and decadent dessert is perfect for special occasions.

Classic Boston Cream Cake Recipe

A classic American dessert featuring layers of tender vanilla cake filled with rich custard and topped with chocolate ganache. This iconic Boston Cream Cake Recipe combines buttery sponge, creamy vanilla filling, and silky chocolate for an irresistible treat that's been delighting dessert lovers since 1856.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Boston Cream Cake Recipe
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Cost: $18

Equipment

  • 2 9-inch round cake pans
  • Electric mixer (stand or hand)
  • Medium saucepan
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Offset spatula
  • Serrated knife

Ingredients

Vanilla Cake:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1¼ cups whole milk

Custard Filling:

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped
  • 1 tablespoon corn syrup optional

Instructions

the Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 9-inch cake pans.
  • Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Cream butter and sugar until fluffy (3-4 minutes).
  • Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
  • Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to butter mixture.
  • Divide batter between pans.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes until done.
  • Cool completely.

the Custard:

  • Heat milk until steaming.
  • Whisk sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks.
  • Temper eggs with hot milk, then return to pan.
  • Cook until thickened, stirring constantly.
  • Add butter and vanilla.
  • Chill completely.

the Ganache:

  • Heat cream until simmering.
  • Pour over chocolate, let stand 5 minutes.
  • Whisk until smooth.
  • Add corn syrup if using.

Notes

  • Recipe yields one 9-inch layer cake (12 servings)
  • Total time: 3.5 hours (includes cooling time)
  • Can be made up to 3 days ahead

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 45g | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 2mg