I've been jonesing for one of my childhood favorites, Boston cream pie, but hadn't come across a vintage recipe until last weekend when I picked up a copy of The Boston Cooking School Cook Book (1931) by Fannie Merritt Farmer at the always interesting P.S. 321 flea market in Park Slope. (This particular book was given to "Beatrice from Helen Bishop" as an engagement gift in 1931, according to the cover and an inside inscription.)
As many already know, Boston cream pie is not a pie at all, but a two-layer cake filled with custard and covered with a chocolate glaze. I've included the 1931 recipe here (though not the method, which is on another page of the book -- if anyone's interested, let me know and I'll post that).
The cake itself was very, very good. The custard was good (though not exceptional) and the chocolate glaze I wouldn't make again. Unlike more modern glazes (usually a combo of chocolate and cream or butter), this one called for making a sugar syrup (sugar and water), boiling it for five minutes and then pouring it over 1.5 ounces of melted chocolate. The flavor was fine, but the glaze had a grainy texture and had to be spread at the perfect moment (which I missed) when the glaze was warm. My rarely used microwave came in handy for the careful reheating of the glaze.
In 1996, Boston cream pie was proclaimed the official Massachusetts State Dessert, beating out toll house cookies and Indian pudding.
I certainly had my fill of Boston cream pie and so did DH (the cherry on top of my life) who said the slice I cut to photograph looked just like the ones he remembers from the Cardinal Hayes High School cafeteria. High praise, indeed!
Earlier today, when I met my friend Judith, an ER nurse at New York Methodist Hospital, for lunch at the 7th Avenue Donut Shop, I felt compelled (for research purposes) to try a Boston cream donut. Really quite good, but nothing beats cake, especially one called a pie.
Oh, I am so "homesick" for the 7th Avenue Donut Shop! BTW, your blog makes my day :)
ReplyDeleteSusan, my Mom had that same cookbook! She also got it as a wedding or shower gift, in 1944. Probably a newer edition. She used to call it "Fannie", as in, "Let's see what Fannie has to say about that." The Joy of Cooking was "Rombauer": "Rombauer says two eggs; Fannie says three. Hmmm..." Mum made all the recipes her own, though. You could tell her favorites, as nearly every amount or ingredient was crossed out and changed to her liking! Starting at about age 10, I used to regularly make the chocolate bread pudding from "Fannie". My brother adored it. Now his wife makes it, and we just had it for his birthday dinner night before last, when we reminisced about that old cookbook!
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have always loved Boston Cream Pie
You had me at the word "custard"...
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know where i can find old presto cake box recipes....my grandmother use to make one in the 50s or 60s called confetti cake and we are trying to find the recipe? any ideas?
ReplyDelete@Doralee: You'll have to come for a visit to cure your homesickness. It misses you too!
ReplyDelete@Becky: Love that story! And especially the way your mother "customized" all of the recipes to her liking. I love the idea of a bake-off between Fannie and Raumbauer.
@Anthony: This was pretty tasty, but I next time I would find a more "modern" recipe for the custard (something a bit more rich and eggy) and the chocolate glaze.
@Margaret: funny! There is something so lovely about custard, isn't there.
@Anonymous: I recently came across a confetti cake recipe, but can't recall at the moment where. I'll look this weekend for it and post if I find it.
just came across your blog while looking for a recipe to post to myFB page, A FOOD OBSESSION since today is Boston Cream Pie Day...i'm LOVING your blog!! rightup my alley...love your whole premise!!
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