Revolution And The Siege Of Boston
A south east view of the great town of Boston in New England in America
The weather continuing boisterous the next day and night, giving the enemy time to improve their works, to bring up their cannon, and to put themselves in such a state of defence, that I could promise myself little success in attacking them under all the disadvantages I had to encounter.
,in a letter to , about the British army’s decision to leave Boston, dated March 21, 1776.
Many of the crucial events of the occurred in or near Boston. Boston’s penchant for mob action along with the colonists’ growing lack of faith in either or fostered a revolutionary spirit in the city. When the British parliament passed the in 1765, a Boston mob ravaged the homes of , the official tasked with enforcing the Act, and , then the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. The British sent two regiments to Boston in 1768 in an attempt to quell the angry colonists. This did not sit well with the colonists. In 1770, during the , British troops shot into a crowd that had started to violently harass them. The colonists compelled the British to withdraw their troops. The event was widely publicized and fueled a revolutionary movement in America.
Why This Is The Best Boston Cream Pie
The cake is very easy to make, especially since it has three separate layers and will light up your taste buds. The key to making this easy cake is to use a yellow cake mix with a few substitutions. Yes, this is one of those doctored cake-mix recipes, but its just as simple as the original box instructions.
You may wonder why you have to add buttermilk and not just regular milk. The answer is simplethe acid in buttermilk helps the cake to rise, giving you a very light and fluffy cake. The box cake mix already has leavening agents, but these can sometimes leave a bitter aftertaste in your throat. The buttermilkeven if its quick homemade versionmakes that bitterness a thing of the past.
When the cake finishes baking, let it cool for about 20 minutes. After removing the cake from the pans, put each layer upside down on a flat plate. Poke holes in the bottom of the cake using handle of a wooden spoon. Thick holes work best for this poke cake, so find something about as thick as your pinky finger to make the holes.
Can You Make Boston Cream Pie Ahead
You can make all the components of this Boston Cream Pie ahead.
The cake layers are adapted from my favorite vanilla cake recipe. Its moist and soft, with a buttery flavor and a delicate texture, and it can be baked up to a few weeks ahead. You can read more about that here: Perfect Vanilla Cake Recipe.
The filling is similar to vanilla pudding, but richer. Its made with egg yolks, milk, vanilla, and cornstarch to help thicken it up. I would definitely recommend making it at least a day ahead, so it has time to chill. You can learn more here: Pastry Cream Filling.
The glaze can be made ahead as well. You can find more info on that here: Chocolate Glaze. Its just 4 simple ingredients, warmed and stirred together until smooth. As it cools, it gets very thick, but it can be re-warmed and drizzled over the Boston Cream Pie after its assembled.
Dont ask me how I know, but I would definitely recommend waiting as long as you can to assemble the cake. If you put it together too far ahead, the exposed filling around the sides will become dry and cracked. Still delicious inside, but not nearly as appetizing to look at!
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Boston Cream Pie Cocktail At The Last Hurrah
If youd prefer to sip your Boston cream pie, guess what, thats a thing you can do! The Last Hurrah in the Omni Parker House serves a Boston cream pie martini with vanilla vodka, Godiva chocolate liqueur, Kerry Gold Irish cream, and a chocolate rim. We cant even handle how delicious this is. Its hard to only have one, they go down far too easy, but were not complaining about it.
Why Is It Called Boston Cream Pie
I know what youre probably thinking. This is clearly a cake, so why do we call it a Boston Cream Pie? Well, once upon a time, cakes and pies were often baked in the same tins. It is believed that this cake was first baked in a pie tin, and so the name Boston Cream Pie stuck.
While that may be the case, make no mistake that this pie is actually most definitely a cake! If youre looking for a true pie, make sure to check out Apple Pie or Shoofly Pie instead!
Enjoy!
- 5largeegg yolks room temperature
- 1 ½teaspoonsvanilla extract
- 4Tablespoonsunsalted butter softened and cut into 4 pieces
Cake
- ¼cupunsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 2largeeggs room temperature preferred
- 1 ½cupsall-purpose flour
- cupbuttermilk room temperature preferred
Ganache
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How To Make Whoopie Pie Cookies
Best Boston Cream Pie In New England
Yankee Magazine3.6213
Omni Parker HouseEvery New Englander should venture here to sample Boston cream pie at its birthplace. Chef Sanzians 1856 recipe lives on in creamy glory. 60 School St., Boston, MA. 617-227-8600 omnihotels.com
Rosies BakeryJudy Rosenberg makes some of the best cakes in Boston, and her cream pie is no exception: golden and buttery, with a rich chocolate glaze. 9 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 617-277-5629. 243 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 617-491-9488. 2 South Station, Boston, MA 617-439-4684. rosiesbakery.com
NoRA Cupcake CompanyA frequent winner of regional Best of awards, this Connecticut bakery makes cupcakes in flavors that run from classic to quirky . NoRAs Boston cream pie version packs big chocolate and vanilla flavors into a small package. 700 Main St., Middletown, CT. 860-788-3150 noracupcake.com
Little BigsWe cant talk about Boston cream pie without mentioning its kissing cousin, the Boston cream doughnut, and the folks at this gourmet bakery make theirs with vanilla-scented filling and quality chocolate in the glaze. 340 Main St., South Portland, ME. 207-747-4233
Scialo Brothers BakeryBoston cream pie is hardly Italian, but most Italian bakeries sell some variation of it. Scialos version is so good that chef Lidia Bastianich featured it on her PBS TV series. 257 Atwells Ave., Providence, RI. 401-421-0986 scialobakery.com
Where do you go for YOUR Boston Cream Pie fix?
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How To Make Boston Cream Pie
1. Start off by making the pastry cream. Scald the milk in a medium-sized heavy-bottomed pot then set aside. In a large bowl whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light in color and thicker in consistency. Sift in the corn starch and whisk until smooth and fully incorporated and drizzle in about 1/4 cup of the hot milk while whisking vigorously then pour in the remaining milk and whisk to combine.
2. Strain the mixture back into the pot and place over medium high heat whisking continuously until thickened. Once thickened cook an additional minute while whisking then remove rom heat and stir in the butter. Transfer the custard to a bowl and allow to cool for a few minutes then press plastic onto the surface and chill. We want the custard to cool and thicken upbefore spreading it onto the cake so make it first and test the consistency before spreading onto the cake.
3. Now its time for the cake. Preheat your oven to 350F and prep an eight inch cake pan. Butter the side and bottom then press a round piece of parchment paper into the bottom. Add a few teaspoons of flour and kick them around to coat the side. I always use cake strips when baking, if you use them place one in some water to soak. Stir the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl and set aside.
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
What are people saying about bakeries in Boston, MA?
This is a review for bakeries in Boston, MA:
“I took shelter from the pouring rain in Flour bakery and was so glad I did. They have outdoor seating that is covered and out of the rain, but I chose to eat indoors. They have an easy online order pickup on a shelf in the dining room, but the line does move quickly if you order there. There are vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free options for some of their salads and sandwiches. Their pastry selection is mouth watering. You won’t be able to resist a cookie, muffin, or Boston cream pie. I ordered a blueberry muffin that was moist and packed with blueberries. A muffin and a coffee was the perfect respite from the crazy Boston weather.”
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Boston Cream Pie Donut From Kanes Donuts
This donut shop is a Boston favorite all about the local from ingredients to the boxes they serve their donuts in. Theyve become an icon here and so of course they had to make a donut out of Bostons most iconic dessert Boston cream pie. This yeast donut is fluffy and filled with homemade Bavarian crème, and frosted with a Swiss chocolate topping. Its melt-in-your-mouth perfection and a mess to eat, thats the sign of a good dessert in our book!
Best Of The Best Boston Cream Pie
So, which won my vote for favorite? First, lets be clear. I loved all of them or they wouldnt be on this list. But if I HAD to choose
Boston Cream Pie from Left: Flour Bakery & Cafe Right: Omni Parker House
Flour Bakery & Cafe was my favorite for all-around taste and texture. It just had the it factor for me! A very close second was the original at Omni Paker House. Omni Parker House won best martini list EVER!
Where To Stay in BostonFound Hotel Boston is where I stayed my first two nights. A great mid-range option, it is located in the theater district close to Boston Gardens and has great amenities.Westin Copley Place is where I stayed the next several nights. It is luxury-range and located right in Copley Square not far from Boston Gardens or Fenway Park. The amenities are fabulous here as well.
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What Is A Boston Cream Cake
Boston Cream Cake was actually created in the 1800s at the Parker House Hotel and actually known as Boston Cream Pie. It was probably called pie because in the 1800s pie tins were more common than cake tins. The recipe is essentially the same!
Soft, light cake sandwiches a rich creamy custard and is covered with a thick chocolate coating. Even though its a cake the pie part of this name has stuck. And when Massachusetts named Boston Cream Pie the official state dessert, well the name stuck. However its called, I would just say it tastes heavenly.
How To Assemble The Boston Cake
This is the easy and fun part of making a Boston cream! Make sure the cakes are cooled before spreading the ganache.
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Best Boston Cream Pie
- Downtown
- price 3 of 4
The Omni Parker House Hotel is one of the most historic in the city. It was here, at Parkers Restaurant, where the Boston cream pie was born. This creamy, delicious traditional version consists of a light sponge cake filled with pastry cream and topped with chocolate. Walk off the calorites by checking out the hotels historic environs and interesting memorabilia.
- South End
- price 2 of 4
Joanne Changs beloved spot for pastries and baked goods offers a delicious, artfully-crafted version of the Boston cream pie. Layers of fluffy yellow cake and vanilla cream are toppped with a smooth chocolate ganache and coffee syrup.
- North End
- price 1 of 4
Bovas opened in the North End in 1932 and has remained a family-owned business all these years. Their Boston cream pie is a richer version, made with both vanilla and chocolate cream, and topped with a thick ganache. Best of all, Bovas is open 24 hours, perfect for a late-night cream pie craving.
- Seaport District
- price 2 of 4
As the flagship location within the iconic Legal Sea Foods empire, Legal Harborside offers three floors of different dining experiences, all with sweeping views of Boston Harbor. Choose the first floor dining room for a bustling, casual, and classic seafood experience that includes a near-classic version of the Boston cream pie featuring custard, yellow sponge cake and rich bittersweet chocolate.
- North End
- price 1 of 4
- North End
- price 1 of 4
- Central Sq
- price 2 of 4
My Dad Loved Boston Cream Pie
Perhaps the word loved is an understatement here. My dad lived and breathed for the chocolatey-puddingy goodness of a Boston cream anything. Pies, doughnuts, cakes if it was labeled Boston cream, he was game. At the mere mention of the confection, his eyes would light up like a kid on Christmas morning, and he would tap his fingers together in joyful anticipation of the deliciousness to come. One of my favorite childhood memories is of him happily hopping into the car to drive downtown and get a box of the best Boston cream doughnuts goin! on a weekend morning.
My dad passed away in 2012, and every year since, I have honored his birthday with a Boston cream doughnut toast.
I recently found out October 23 is National Boston Cream Pie Day. So, in honor of my dad, Dave, here is a compilation of seven of the best Boston cream pies goin! in the Boston area.
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