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For Christmas Eve dessert my brother asked for something called Christmas Custard Pie. No one else in the family had ever heard of it before (including me) and he had no explanation for it other than the obvious (custard and pie, lol!). When asked where he heard of it, he was strangely cryptic and didn’t really say; in an effort to find out more about it, I looked it up online and even though I found a few different recipes, nothing really stuck out as a must-try. But by that point I was definitely in the mood for custard so I decided to go with a custard-y “pie” of a different kind: Boston Cream Pie!
Boston Cream Pie is actually cake; a yellow layer cake filled with either custard or pastry cream and topped with ganache. I wanted to make my own version of this classic in jars. (I’m not really sure why, it just seemed like a good idea at the time.) Sounds easy enough, and had I just made cupcakes, sliced them in half, and assembled the Boston Cream Pies in the jars it would have been. But I wanted to bake the custard and cake batter together in the jars so that the only assembly required once they were baked was the addition of ganache on top.
So I set out thinking about how to make it work. (I even called my blogging buddy Brandy for some help – thanks for brainstorming with me, Brandy!) At first I was going to try to bake a layer of custard between two layers of cake; the bottom layer of cake would have to be thick (almost like a muffin batter) so that the custard wouldn’t sink into it, but the top layer of cake (that rests on the layer of custard) would have to be light and spongy so it wouldn’t sink into the custard. I think it would have worked pretty well in the end, but it sounds a little complicated, right? (I don’t want my recipes to be too convoluted – I want you guys to make them!) I thought it sounded a bit too involved, so I scrapped that idea.
Finally, I decided to put a layer of custard on the bottom of the jar and top it with a layer of cake batter (kind-of a cross between butter cake and sponge cake so it’s still light enough not to sink), and then bake it in a water bath up to the top level of the custard so the custard is protected in the oven, but the cake batter cooks properly. It worked like a charm…two completely distinguishable layers and both incredibly tasty (and no sinking cake batter!).
Of course, it doesn’t end there though. (I made it for Christmas Eve dessert, so why not gild the lily? ;) ) Once the cakes were cooled to room temperature, I spooned dark chocolate ganache on top and let it set, and then piped white chocolate buttercream on top. Really, this is a dessert worthy of dreaming about. And replicating. There’s no way I’m waiting until next Christmas Eve to make these again.
- 1 large egg
- 3 large egg yolks (you’ll use the whites in the cake)
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups milk (I used 2%)
- ½ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk (I used 2%)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 large egg whites (you’ll use the yolks in the custard)
- 8 oz good-quality bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons milk (I used 2%)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 oz (about ⅔ cup chopped) white chocolate, chopped
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 6 tablespoons vegetable shortening, at room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¾ lb powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk (more or less to achieve desired consistency)
- Butter, to grease the jars
- Preheat oven to 350F; grease 11 (8 oz) jelly jars with butter.
- For the Custard: Whisk together the egg, egg yolks, and vanilla in a medium bowl and set aside. Whisk together the milk, sugar, flour, and salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and very slowly ladle the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture while whisking, adding just a drop at a time at first, and then whisk in the butter. Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps. While it’s still hot, slowly pour the custard into the prepared jars, being careful not to splash the sides of the jar. Cool the custard a bit (so that it’s set) before you pour the cake batter on top.
- For the Cake: While the custard cools, make the cake batter. Whisk together the butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and milk in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks. Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet, then fold in the egg whites, ⅓ at a time. Carefully spoon the batter onto the set custard (you can use a small ladle or put the batter into a pastry bag and pipe it).
- Arrange the jars (so that they don’t touch each other or the sides of the pan) in a large, deep roasting pan; add enough hot (not boiling) water to come up to the top of the custard (but not the cake batter). Bake until the cake is light golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the cake inside comes out clean or with just a couple crumbs, about 45 minutes. Cool completely before proceeding.
- For the Dark Chocolate Ganache: Melt the chocolate and butter together in a microwave or double boiler; add the milk and vanilla and stir until smooth. Spoon over the cooled cakes, and let the chocolate set before piping the White Chocolate Buttercream on top.
- For the White Chocolate Buttercream: Melt the white chocolate in a microwave or double boiler. Beat together the melted chocolate, butter, shortening, and vanilla. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar; while still beating, add the milk a little at a time until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Pipe the frosting on top of the cakes once the ganache is set.
- Serving and Storing: Serve these within 1 to 2 hours of having them fully assembled. Otherwise, you can make them up to 3 days ahead of time; store them in the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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I am going to make these this week. I have some WECK tulip jars that should work beautifully. I will report back the comments I receive when devoured!
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!
Wow these look amazing! I am planning on making a boston cream pie but to put them in individual jars is an awesome idea
Awesome idea! LOVE BCP! Is there some reason you went with a buttercream frosting, instead of just a white choc flavored whipped cream? Thanks for the idea! Can’t wait for my next dinner party to try these!
Tina, Thanks so much! I used buttercream because I was making the dessert a couple days ahead of time, and in general buttercream stands up better than whipped cream over time. If you want to whip the cream and top them with it right before serving I think that would be delicious though! Hope you enjoy them! :)
Oh these are so much better than traditional Boston Cream Pie! And I love that they are in jars like this, will have to bookmark these beauties :)
These individual Boston Cream Pies sound divine! I bet they are really delicious and rich too! I love the idea of having them in jars!
Bravo, very nicely done! These are a beautiful creation, totally worthy of a celebration.
Wow these are so clever – I love the jam jar presentation. They sound absolutely delicious, particularly the white chocolate buttercream!
What a fun way to make Boston cream pie. It’s so neat and self contained (my OCD is showing)
Mimi
Ohh these are so cute Faith :)
I’ve never had cream pies in a jar hehe ~ But it definitely sounds like something i’d like hahaha i like really gooey desserts ~
Aloha Faith! What a great post; can’t wait to try this recipe! Are your jelly jars vintage or a brand I might be able to find someplace today?
Mahalo!
Mynda
Mynda, I wish I had vintage jelly jars — that would be adorable! I used 8 oz ball mason jars (regular mouth), here’s what the jars look like. Hope you enjoy the recipe! :)
They look amazing!
I hope your brother appreciated the trouble you went to but they do look delicious. Diane
I absolutely love this–so inventive! Bill loves Boston Cream Pie, and I have made variations (Banana Boston is his fave) I’ll have to make these individual Bostons–I have plenty of small mason jars. Thanks for a terrific idea, Faith!
Very clever, Faith. A lovely dessert.
Wow… that looks incredible. Did you ever figure out what your brother wanted?
Emiglia, No, I never did figure it out, lol! I guess it will have to wait until next Christmas. :)
I love things like this > the presentation the jars and the whole idea behind it . Love it
I love love love them!! They look a little too complicated for me to venture on a general basis but Im always looking for a fancy dessert that stores well… and I think these could work!! Totally want dessert for breakfast now! xox
Mmmm…Boston cream pie is one of my absolute favorites, Faith! And what a fantastic idea to make individual cream pies! They look so elegant. I just want to dig right into one! Yum!
xoxo,
Tammy
i always wondered why it was called a pie when it’s clearly a cake. this is an outstanding take on the classic, faith. that white chocolate buttercream is to. die. for.
These are so pretty to look at, but I’m sure better to eat! Noah would gladly eat a few…:)
What an awesome idea! I looooove boston cream pie and I love that these are all made in the jar. So creative! I’m super impressed by these :D
These are adorable and look delicious! I still have yet to bake something in a jar, but I really have to try it!
Sounds delicious, although I must say I probably would have gone the cupcake and cream route–water baths scare me!
Very cute Faith. How do you come up with these great ideas? I think dessert in a jar is an adorable idea…. less mess too!
While studying in the States I just loved, loved Boston Cream doughnuts. I consumed hundrends of them. I am sure that, if I could get my hands on one of these pots, I wouldn’t be able to stop in just one!
Mini pies are perfection!
These are so cute and such a great idea!
A great idea. Those individual BCP looks so heavenly.
Cheers,
Rosa
What an incredible idea! This reminds me a bit of a trifle – except that it’s individually portioned. I especially love the fact that you can cook the custard and the cake right in the jar. Seems a lot easier than cooking both separate and than trying to neatly get them in the jar. Hmmm…now I just need an occasion to make these for.
A jar makes eating and drinking way more fun!!! What a fabulous and pretty dessert. So creative. Happy friday