Monday, September 20, 2010

Glazed Cream Cake


From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This lovely dessert is one of my personal favorites. Despite my love for it, I don't make it all that often. It's not hard to do, but it's time consuming to assemble and I tend to prepare it only for close friends or special occasions. The cake has the same elements as Boston cream pie, but over the years it's been refined and its various components now represent the "best of show" from different places. The sponge layers, génoise, come from Italy, the crème pâtissière is, of course, French, as is the glaze, a rich dark chocolate ganache that's interpreted here by Alton Brown. It is a thoroughly satisfying dessert that I think you'll really enjoy. Final assembly is simple. Two sponge layers are filled with pastry cream and glazed with ganache. Here are the recipes for all three of its elements.

Génoise...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of Jacques Torres

Ingredients:
8 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
1 cup granulated sugar
2-1/2 tablespoons honey
2 cups unbleached, pastry flour, sifted

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
2) Place a 1-quart saucepan half filled with water over high heat and bring it to a simmer. Make a double boiler by setting a large mixing bowl over simmering water. Place whole eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and honey in mixing bowl and make an egg foam by whisking mixture to 113 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 7 to 10 minutes. When it is thick, it will be hot to the touch, tripled in volume, and light in color and sugar will have completely dissolved. If you dip a whisk into mixture and pull it out, batter should fall back into bowl in a thick ribbon.
3) Remove mixing bowl from heat and whip batter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until it cools, increases in volume, stiffens slightly and becomes pale yellow, about 7 to 10 minutes. Very, very carefully, fold in flour with a rubber spatula until it is no longer visible, making sure to fold to bottom of bowl. Do not over mix or batter will deflate. Fill prepared pans with batter.
4) Transfer to oven and bake on center rack until well-risen and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Let layers cool slightly. Unmold, remove parchment paper and finish cooling on a wire rack. Layers can be stored in the freezer for 2 to 3 weeks if well wrapped in plastic wrap. Return it to room temperature before using it.

Crème Pâtissière - French Pastry Cream
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of Julia Child

Ingredients:
6 egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups hot milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract or 1/2 tablespoon vanilla combined with 2 tablespoons dark rum

Directions:
1) Place egg yolks in a 2-1/2 quart saucepan. Gradually beat in the sugar with a wire whip and beat until mixture is thick, pale yellow, and forms ribbons. Beat in flour, then beat in hot milk in a thin stream.
2) Set over moderately high heat and stir slowly and continuously with a wire whip, reaching all over bottom and sides of pan, until mixture thickens. As it turns lumpy, beat vigorously to smooth it out.
3) Lower temperature and continue stirring for several minutes to cook flour and thicken cream. Be very careful about scorching cream in bottom of pan; be sure your pan is heavy, be sure to keep stirring, and do not use high heat, particularly after cream has started to thicken.
4) Remove from heat; beat in butter and the flavoring. Clean off sides of the pan with a spatula. Film top of the pastry cream with 1/2 tablespoon milk, rum or kirsch to prevent crusting. Chill. (Pastry cream will keep 3 to 4 days refrigerated.)

Ganache...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of Alton Brown

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons corn syrup
6 ounces heavy cream
12 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Combine corn syrup and heavy cream in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and add chocolate. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Cool to room temperature. Pour over cold cake.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Boston Cream Pie - Felice in the Kitchen
Boston Cream Whoopie Pies - Baking and Boys!
Individual Boston Cream Pies - Pastry Studio
Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes - Baking Powders
Deluxe Boston Cream Pie - Eat Me, Delicious
Boston Cream Pie - Annie's Eats

86 comments :

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

What a great photo, Mary. The ganache was so shiny, I wanted to dip my finger in and have a little taste.

Fondly,
Glenda

We Are Not Martha said...

Amazing!! It looks like a Boston cream cakes... One of my favorites :)

Sues

Unknown said...

just love love loved the cake..the snap is grt......

Lynn said...

When I saw this my first thought was "oh my!". Just beautiful and I know it's amazing-enjoy:@)

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

This is probably my husbands favorite cake. He would SO love me to make it for him! I could never get the ganache as pretty as yours though! Thanks!

Gloria Baker said...

OMG MAry!!! this look amazing and delicious, I love the picture, lovely, have a lovely week, blessings, gloria

Catherine said...

Looks absolutely scrumptious Mary!
My family would love this!

JG said...

Oh, Boston Cream Pie was one of the first desserts I learned to make. Yours looks so good! My fork is ready. :) Yummy!

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Oh yes, you have plunked my magic tanger, froggie!!! That might not be correct to say in this day and age, but oh YES, I will love this. My mom made the best Boston creme pie and this is something I really need...at times. Thank you Mary. Thank you.

Unknown said...

I could bathe in that ganache sauce! What a beautiful presentation this dessert makes! It came out perfect! Thanks Mary!

Anonymous said...

Oh Mary, it's gorgeous!! I can taste it now. I bet it's beyond delicious.....

aipi said...

I was sitting here thinking what to write while staring at your cake the whole time :)
It looks decadent..the ganache on top is simply amazing..too bad I can not taste it :)
Have a great day!

US Masala

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wish I could taste this one, it does look like a cut above the average Boston Cream Pie!

sara said...

My dad's favorite cake is Boston Cream, and we end up having it all of our big family birthday celebrations. I will try this variation next time; looks so delicious!

lynn said...

i've had boston cream donuts on the brain lately - never had it in cake form!

Lori said...

Looks so very decadent Mary. What a treat.

Carol said...

What a great looking cake, and I bet it tastes fantastic, it sure does look fantastic!

The Words Crafter said...

I'm not sure I could pull this off, but I tell you what....I sure could eat it.

I'm trying to finish up what I wanted to get done today and I got on to check on something. Of course, I had to see what was posted right quick...

And I saw this picture. It looks like Boston Cream Pie....something I could eat until I got sick. And you say this is better....oh dear!

Hope your Monday is wonderful!

Monet said...

Anything with pastry cream and a chocolate ganache has to be pretty darn delicious. This is a great way to begin the week. Thanks for sharing Mary, and I hope your Monday is filled with joy.

Bakericious said...

Mary, I love this cake, looks so delicious.

Prema said...

wow amazing cakes ,luks perfect.

Unknown said...

What a pretty little cake! I can see why it is reserved for those closest to you

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

What is it about ganache puddling on the side that makes the cake even more delectable. A great photo which is making me hungry.

Jeannie said...

This is another gorgeous looking cake...bet the taste is amazing! Love the photo:)

Unknown said...

What an absolutely beautiful cake! I'd almost hate to cut into it... ALMOST!

LimeCake said...

the picture of the cake looks like it was drawn. how beautiful!

Lawyer Loves Lunch said...

I adore Mr. Jacque Torres even though his recipes freak me out! That cake looks absolutely stunning and I will continue to drool at my computer until I gather the courage to make it :)

Momo said...

looks and sounds delicious!

cocoa and coconut said...

I'm sure those you do make it for would appreciate it very much. The layering and ganche make it look very special for sure.

Have a great day and happy blogging!

Nina Timm said...

I bet there is nothing left of that delicious cake, I will have to try this for myself, I definitely score with the family!

Sushma Mallya said...

Wow this is just so beautiful...wish i could have a slice of it...very tempting mary, have a great week ahead...

Lisa McDonald said...

It's nearly midnight here and I decided to make your blog my last stop before I hit the bed. I'm glad I did, now I can dream about that delicious cake!

Have a fantastic week Mary.

Foodiewife said...

Recently, I had a Boston Cream Cupcake that made my tastebuds crave more (but my waistline doesn't need it). This looks time consuming, BUT I could make each component, one day at a time. I'd make the pastry cream first. Next, the cake and then assemble it the next day. LOVELY dessert, Mary. In fact, it's going into my "delectable desserts" section. Thanks!

sally said...

Wow! What a great looking cake! I'm sure it tastes delicious too!

Julie said...

I love how you've combined the best of the best :) I made Martha's recipe for Boston Cream Pie some time back and it really was quite a time investment. But your's looks worth it.

Adelina said...

...which means there was something special in the air about the making of this cake :)...I tend to agree...a bit of work involved judging by the recipe, but the outcome is just perfect! Thanks for sharing, I admire your patience of writing down the recipes and instructions!

Suzanne said...

I would love this cake, it just look so yummy. thanks for sharing it!

penny aka jeroxie said...

What a pretty cake! And naughty.

Pondside said...

Perfect for the Thanksgiving dinner dessert table!

MaryMoh said...

Wow...this is fabulous! Love that cream and smooth ganache flowing down at the side. I have noted the recipes. Would love to try. Thanks very much for sharing. Hope you have a lovely day.

Jamie said...

Boston Cream Pie? Fantastic! I've blogged it twice, two versions and I am always up for another! Yours looks scrumptious!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Such a pretty cake and a gorgeous photo too! ;-)

Katerina said...

It reminds me of Boston cream. From the ingredients I believe I would dig into it and eat as much as possible.

Diane said...

Anything that has chocolate on it has to be good :-) Diane

Cool Chic Style Fashion said...

Oh.... Mary è bellissimo, brava

Rachana said...

What a stunning cake, Mary. I am drooling here...

Sanjeeta kk said...

Wow!! The chocolaty sauce drizzling down tempts to try it soon.

My Little Space said...

Mary, you know what! Those chocolate glazing looks exactly like my salivate right now! HAHAHA.... oH BOY, the cake looks so gorgeous. I want a slice!^_^ Hope you're having a great day.
Blessings, Kristy

Priya Suresh said...

Irresistible cake,looks beautiful and awesome..

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Mary, that looks too good to eat. The ganache has just the right amount of shine. This gorgeous cake could be in the window of a French Patisserie.
Sam

From the Kitchen said...

First I'd like to scoop off a little of the ganache, secretly of course, and then settle into a big slice. This could easily be my favorite dessert as well.

Best,
Bonnie

Kim said...

Your cake looks so good, I'D like to have a bite. Hace a nice day.

Martha said...

Looks lovely and I can see why you save it for special occasions! Looks like I'm late to the party as well -- I'm sure you enjoyed your cake!

Cathy said...

Beautiful, Mary. Boston cream pie is a treat I haven't indulged in for years. I would love a piece with my morning coffee.

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

Mary, what a positively delicious and decadent cake to start off the week! This looks amazing and would not last very long in our home :o)

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

That is one gorgeous cake! And, and how nice that - while it has some relations in Boston - it is truly an international beauty!

Suja Manoj said...

What a lovely cake..fantastic click

Maria said...

I love the glaze!

Together We Save said...

Oh my goodness... this cake looks amazing!!

Elisa said...

I just want to lick the chocolate bowl. it looks so yummy!

Pam said...

Can I come over for a slice? Please? Pretty please?

The Caked Crusader said...

oh my, that's too tempting! Gorgeous photo too!

PeggyR said...

Yum, it reminds me of Boston Cream Pie...

Cherine said...

Oh my, this is mouthwatering...

hobby baker Kelly said...

Oh that is just spongy, creamy, chocolatey perfection. I would love to have that on my plate right now!

Charo said...

Ohhhhhh!!! Delicious!

Marguerite said...

Looks absolutely decadent and worth the effort! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

The Blonde Duck said...

My husband would love this!

Joanne said...

I lvoe that this cake is a mixture of some of the best that baking has to offer! Looks delicious.

Brian Kesler said...

Ganache is a weakness of mine. This cake looks devilishly divine. Love your site. :)

Brian Kesler

keslerskitchen.blogspot.com

Satya said...

wow what a beautiful visual treat..cake looks awesome

Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

Juliana said...

Oh Mary, what a mouthwatering look cake...love it...light cake with cream and ganache...what could taste better than this cake?

karen from Globetrotter Diaries said...

Thanks for the kind words, Mary. Things are a little too busy so I don't think I'll be moving forward with the competition even though I would've loved to! But will still be keeping up posting new entries on the blog.

The cake looks delicious! Will be following you and best of luck!

FOODESSA said...

Mary...this cake pulls all my tummy strings...how decadent and simply elegant ;o)

Flavourful wishes,
Claudia

Cristie said...

Mary, I can see why this would win "best of show". It is beautiful and I'm certain it would taste as good as it looks. I have a funny story about my first attempt at making a Boston Cream Pie that has become family lore--it was a horrible failure. Now I have a go-to recipe in your post. Have a lovely week.

Faith said...

What a lovely cake, Mary! I can definitely see why it's a favorite of yours, and why it's saved for special occasions!

Jen_from_NJ said...

I am going to make this for my parent's anniversary on Saturday! Thank you Mary - I know that they'll love it!

Unknown said...

Mary, this recipe sounds and looks amazing! It´s simple and fancy at the same time and I can´t wait to taste it! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers from Brazil!

James said...

Wow. your picture looks like it is right out of a bakery catalog. Maybe even better.

Lucie said...

Three perfect elements for one perfect cake--Mary, this sounds mouth-watering!

the twins said...

that ganache looks amazing!

Allie and Pattie said...

Mary, this is Ray's request whenever he's asked- just gorgeous! I have a feeling you and I would have lots of fun cooking together
xoxo Pattie

Rita said...

That is my all time favourite cake; thank you for sharing; love the photo.
Rita

Keeley said...

This looks like Boston Cream Pie and I LOVE Boston Cream Pie! It seems quite involved, but I'll put it in the "one day" pile.

CaSaundraLeigh said...

I agree, I would put this either in the special occasion pile, or the feeling patient pile!! Haha. Wherever it ends up, I hope to make it soon!

Chele said...

sigh .... you have no idea how much I want a piece of this cake right now!

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