If you’ve ever tasted a truly great Boston Cream Pie, you know it’s unforgettable—soft vanilla cake layered with rich custard and topped with a glossy chocolate glaze. It’s a classic for a reason.
This easy Boston Cream Pie recipe brings that same bakery-level decadence straight to your kitchen—no pastry school required. With simple steps and pantry staples, anyone can recreate this iconic dessert at home.
What makes this Boston Cream Pie truly shine is the balance of textures: fluffy cake, creamy custard, and silky chocolate, all in one perfect bite. It’s the kind of dessert that impresses without the stress.
Whether you're hosting a dinner or just treating yourself, this Boston Cream Pie is guaranteed to wow. It's quick, approachable, and tastes like it came from a professional bakery.
And the best part? You likely have everything you need to make your own Boston Cream Pie right now. So skip the store-bought version—you’ve got this.
Why This Boston Cream Pie Recipe Stands Out
Boston Cream Pie isn’t just a dessert—it’s a piece of American history. In fact, it’s the official dessert of Massachusetts, first created at Boston’s Parker House Hotel in the 1850s.
Surprisingly, this beloved treat isn’t a pie at all. It’s a soft, cream-filled layer cake topped with rich chocolate glaze—a timeless classic that’s earned its place on every dessert table.
What sets this easy Boston Cream Pie apart is its simplicity. We’ve streamlined the traditional method, skipping the hours-long prep while keeping all the rich, indulgent flavor.
Craving a homemade Boston Cream Pie without the stress? This version delivers the same nostalgic taste with clever shortcuts anyone can manage.
Serve your Boston Cream Pie with a hot cup of coffee or tea—it’s perfect for gatherings, dinner parties, or paired with other cream pie favorites on a dessert buffet.
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Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cake Base:
- Yellow cake mix
- Large eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Water
For the Cream Pie with Custard Filling:
- Instant vanilla pudding mix
- Cold whole milk
- Heavy whipping cream
- Powdered sugar
For the Chocolate Glaze Dessert Topping:
- Heavy cream
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Butter
- Corn syrup
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preparing Your Cake Layers
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans
- Combine cake mix, eggs, oil, and water in large mixing bowl
- Beat with electric mixer for 2 minutes until batter is smooth
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans
- Bake for 18-22 minutes until toothpick comes out clean
- Let cakes cool completely on wire racks
Creating the Perfect Custard Filling and Chocolate Glaze
For Custard Filling:
- Whisk instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened
- In separate bowl, whip heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form
- Gently fold whipped cream into pudding mixture
For Chocolate Glaze:
- Heat heavy cream in small saucepan until it just begins to simmer
- Remove from heat and add chocolate chips
- Let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth
- Stir in butter and corn syrup for glossy finish
Assembly Magic
- Place one cake layer on serving plate
- Spread custard filling evenly over layer, leaving ½-inch border
- Carefully place second cake layer on top, pressing gently
- Pour chocolate glaze over top, letting it drip down sides
- Chill assembled cake for at least 30 minutes before serving
- Cake Layers: Bake and cool your cake layers completely before assembly
- Custard & Glaze: Whip your pudding and glaze until smooth and rich
- Assembly: Bake and cool your cake layers completely before assembly
Equipment For Boston Cream Pie Recipe
Essential Tools:
- Two 9-inch round cake pans with straight sides
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Wire cooling racks
- Offset spatula for smooth application
Budget-Friendly Alternatives:
- Whisk custard by hand if no electric mixer available
- Use large spoon instead of offset spatula
- Regular dinner plates work if no wire racks
Helpful Upgrades:
- Kitchen scale for perfectly even cake layers
- Bench scraper for easy cake layer transfer
Hints & Expert Cooking Tips
- Always let cake layers cool completely before adding custard to prevent melting
- Use a sharp, thin knife and wipe clean between cuts for neat slices
- Make cake layers up to 2 days ahead and wrap tightly in plastic wrap
- Keep milk very cold for smoothest pudding consistency
- If glaze gets too thick, gently reheat or add warm cream
- Chill assembled cake for at least 30 minutes before serving for best results
Recipe Variations
- Classic Variations: Swap vanilla pudding for chocolate, butterscotch, or banana cream
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free yellow cake mix, keep all other ingredients the same
- Individual Portions: Bake in cupcake tins for Boston cream pie bites
- No-Bake Version: Use store-bought pound cake slices with same custard and glaze
- Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut milk and use dairy-free whipped topping
- Lower Sugar: Use sugar-free pudding mix and reduce powdered sugar
Storage
Refrigerator Storage:
- Store covered in refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Must be kept cold due to custard filling
- Cover tightly to prevent absorbing other flavors
Freezing Instructions:
- Complete assembled cake doesn't freeze well
- Freeze unfrosted cake layers up to 3 months
- Wrap each layer in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil
Meal Prep Strategy:
- Bake cake layers up to 2 days ahead
- Make custard filling day before serving
- Assemble everything on serving day for best freshness
The Overnight Magic Behind Bakery-Style Boston Cream Pie
There’s a secret trick pastry chefs swear by—and it’s not about a fancy ingredient or a complicated technique. The real magic happens after the baking is done. Once your Boston Cream Pie is assembled, the best thing you can do is let it rest in the fridge for a few quiet hours—or better yet, overnight.
Why? Because that chill time transforms everything. The custard sets just right. The chocolate glaze firms up beautifully. And the soft cake layers soak in just enough custard to become melt-in-your-mouth tender. When you slice into it the next day, you’ll get those clean, picture-perfect layers—and everyone will think you’ve mastered the art of pastry.
FAQ
What is Boston cream filling made of?
Boston cream filling is a rich vanilla custard made from egg yolks, milk, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. It’s thick, smooth, and creamy—perfect for layering between cakes. This custard is the signature component of any authentic Boston Cream Pie, giving it that luscious, bakery-style texture and flavor everyone loves.
What makes a Boston Cream Pie?
A Boston Cream Pie is made of two layers of soft sponge or yellow cake filled with vanilla custard and topped with chocolate glaze. Despite the name, it’s actually a cake, not a pie. This classic dessert became famous in the 1850s and is now the official dessert of Massachusetts.
Can you use vanilla pudding for Boston Cream Pie?
Yes, you can use vanilla pudding as a quick substitute for the custard in Boston Cream Pie. While homemade custard offers a richer flavor, instant pudding is a time-saving option that still delivers creaminess. Just be sure to chill it well for the best texture and taste in your layered dessert.
What's the difference between a Boston Cream Pie and a Boston cream cake?
Boston Cream Pie and Boston cream cake are very similar, both featuring vanilla cake, custard filling, and chocolate topping. The main difference is presentation—Boston Cream Pie is traditionally served as a single, layered round cake, while Boston cream cake may come in various forms like sheet cakes or cupcakes.
Your Shortcut to Boston Cream Pie Bliss Starts Here
This easy Boston Cream Pie isn’t just a treat—it’s proof that show-stopping desserts don’t need to be complicated. With its dreamy custard filling, tender cake layers, and rich chocolate topping, it’s the kind of recipe that turns everyday moments into something worth celebrating.
Craving more sweet inspiration? After mastering this recent Boston Cream Pie recipe, be sure to check out our Simple Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe for another rich, crowd-pleasing favorite. Or if you're keeping it low-carb, don’t miss our Easy Keto No Bake Cheesecake Recipe—no oven, no stress, just pure dessert joy.
Tried this recipe? Share your photos in the comments and rate it below to help fellow home bakers find their next dessert obsession. Your perfect Boston Cream Pie moment is just one slice away!
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Pairing
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Easy Boston Cream Pie
Equipment
- 2 9-inch round cake pans Straight sides recommended
- 1 Electric mixer Hand or stand mixer works
- 1 Wire rack For cooling cakes
- 1 Offset spatula Optional but helpful for glaze
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoon powdered sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream for glaze
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup for gloss
Instructions
- Preheat oven.
- Mix cake batter.
- Bake layers.
- Cool cakes.
- Make custard.
- Whip cream.
- Fold custard.
- Make glaze.
- Assemble layers.
- Chill cake.
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