1800 to 1869 Cake #3

Boston Cream Pie

This cake is an iconic American dessert made with a butter cake, custard filling, and chocolate glaze. The origin of the cake is debatable, but the most popular story is that a pastry chef named Sanzian created it for the opening of the Boston's Parker House Hotel in 1856. At the time they called it "Chocolate Cream Pie" on the menu. Back then the words pie and cake were interchangeable because they were baked in the same size pan. Baking chocolate became available around this time allowing for the addition of the glaze. Presently, the Boston Cream Pie is the state cake of Massachusetts.

I was excited to make this cake because it is so well known and I think it looks cool. There are many steps to making this cake and it takes quite awhile. The custard filling must be made first and then it has to chill for at least 5 hours. Then the cake needs to be baked. Once those steps are complete, it is time to make the chocolate glaze. The process takes up almost half of a day, but the end result is worth it.

This cake looked good and tasted good. I like it when you can see all of the elements of the cake from the outside. Glazes always make dessert look so rich and shiny. The glossiness of this glaze, and the fact that it was chocolate flavored, made me want to try it right away! The textures were great and the flavors were nice. I feel like this cake would be popular at any holiday or event. That is probably why it is still around after over 150 years.