Pioneer Woman’s Irresistible Boston Cream Pie

Boston Cream Pie is a classic American dessert, and Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, has put her own delightful twist on this timeless favorite. In this 600-word guide, we’ll explore how to make Pioneer Woman’s irresistible Boston Cream Pie. Her recipe combines layers of moist vanilla cake with a rich custard filling and a glossy chocolate ganache topping, resulting in a dessert that’s nothing short of spectacular.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 large egg

For the Custard Filling:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup (optional, for added shine)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cake Layers:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Add the softened unsalted butter, whole milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed until the batter is well combined.
• Add the egg and continue to beat until the batter is smooth and creamy.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops.
• Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
• Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Prepare the Custard Filling:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and whole milk until well combined.
• Gradually pour the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan with the dry ingredients, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
• Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a gentle boil.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
• Transfer the custard to a clean bowl, cover it with plastic wrap (pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the custard), and refrigerate until it’s cool.

3. Assemble the Boston Cream Pie:

• Once the cake layers and custard filling have cooled, it’s time to assemble the Boston Cream Pie.
• Place one of the cooled cake layers on a serving platter.
• Spread the chilled custard filling evenly over the top of the first cake layer.
• Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the custard, creating a cake sandwich.

4. Make the Chocolate Ganache:

• In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, heat the heavy cream until it’s hot but not boiling.
• Pour the hot cream over the chopped semi-sweet chocolate. Allow it to sit for a minute, then stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the ganache is smooth. If desired, add corn syrup to achieve a shiny finish.

5. Pour the Ganache Over the Cake:

• Pour the chocolate ganache evenly over the top of the assembled Boston Cream Pie, allowing it to drip down the sides.

6. Chill and Serve:

• Place the Boston Cream Pie in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the ganache to set.
• Once the ganache has set, slice and serve your Pioneer Woman-inspired Boston Cream Pie, savoring each bite of this delectable dessert.

7. Enjoy Your Homemade Masterpiece:

• Revel in the layers of moist cake, rich custard, and glossy chocolate that make this Boston Cream Pie a true culinary masterpiece.

Pioneer Woman’s Boston Cream Pie is a delightful twist on the classic dessert, combining the comfort of vanilla cake with the elegance of custard and chocolate ganache. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!