Neapolitan Boston Cream Pie Food

NEAPOLITAN BOSTON CREAM PIE

Steps:

• For the cake: Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease the bottoms only of two 8-inch round pans with butter or shortening and line with parchment paper.
• Sift the flour into a medium bowl and set aside. Stir together the milk, oil, melted butter, vanilla and water in a large measuring cup. Set aside. Measure the sugar into a small bowl.
• Whip the egg whites in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Sprinkle in about half of the sugar, then whip on high speed until soft/medium peaks form and they are the consistency of marshmallow crème. Transfer the meringue to a medium bowl and set aside.
• Put the egg yolks, remaining sugar, baking powder and salt in the same stand mixer bowl and mix on high speed until lightened in color and fluffy, 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and stir in about half of the milk until combined, then stir in half of the flour. Repeat with the remaining milk and flour. Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the meringue in two parts with a rubber spatula.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the top. Bake side-by-side until toothpicks inserted into the centers come out clean, 19 to 23 minutes. Cool in the pans, wrapping the warm cakes in plastic wrap after 30 minutes. Cool completely and then chill before assembling.
• For the strawberry pudding: Whisk the sugar, cornstarch, salt and lemon zest in a medium pot. Whisk in the milk, jam and butter. The jam will remain in clumps but will dissolve as the mixture heats. Cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally, while bringing to a boil. Allow the mixture to boil while whisking constantly for 10 to 20 seconds. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl, then place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding. Refrigerate until cold and set, about 5 hours or overnight.
• For the ganache: Place the cream, chocolate chips, butter and salt in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 15 second increments, stirring well after each, until melted, 45 seconds to 1 minute total. Stir until the ganache is smooth and has the consistency of thin yogurt.
• To assemble, place 1 chilled cake layer on a serving platter. Stir the pudding to smooth it out and then mound it in the center of the cake layer. Use a spoon or spatula to spread the pudding towards the edge of the cake, leaving about a 1/4-inch border. Place the second cake layer on top, flat baked side up.
• Pour the warm ganache into the center of the cake and use a spoon or spatula to spread it toward the edge, allowing it to drip slightly down the sides of the cake.
• Top with a ring of the strawberries before serving.
• To store the pie, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

BOSTON CREAM (CREME) PIE

Steps:

• The Cake:.
• Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 350°F Butter 2 9" cake pans and line with parchment paper.
• Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg whites and the milk.
• In another bowl, whisk together the vanilla seeds and sugar until blended and fragrant.
• Add the butter to the vanilla and sugar mixture and beat at medium speed for three minutes or until butter and sugar are light.
• Incorporate the extract and 1/3 of the flour mixture.
• Beat in 1/2 the milk/egg mixture and then incorporate 1/2 the remaining flour mixture.
• Add the rest of the milk/egg mixture, then add the rest of the flour mixture.
• Beat for about 2 more minutes until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is well aerated.
• Divide the batter between the two pans, and smooth the tops with a spatula.
• Bake 30-35 minutes until the cake is springy to the touch and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for about 5 minutes in the pan, then invert onto wire rack and allow to cool the rest of the way.
• While the cake is baking, start the pastry cream:.
• Bring milk, vanilla seeds, and vanilla pod to a simmer.
• Meanwhile, combine sugar, flour, and cornstarch in a bowl.
• Whisk until smooth.
• Add the egg yolks and whisk until smooth and lump-free.
• Remove the vanilla pod from the milk.
• Temper the egg mixture with the milk by pouring the milk little by little into the egg mixture to prevent the egg from scrambling.
• Once the egg mixture is tempered, add the mixture back into the sauce pan and cook over medium-low heat until boiling.
• Boil for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and stir in butter.
• Strain into a bowl or container. Cover with cling film, pressed against the top to prevent a skin.
• Chill thoroughly in the fridge.
• While the cake is cooling, start the chocolate glaze:.
• Begin with the chocolate sauce by putting the bittersweet chocolate, water, creme fraiche (or heavy cream) and sugar into a heavy bottom sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
• Reduce heat to low and and stir until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon (10-15 minutes).
• To make the glaze, bring the creme fraiche (or heavy cream) to a boil in a small sauce pan.
• Remove from heat and slowly add the chopped chocolate, stirring with a wooden spoon.
• Continue stirring gently, adding the butter piece by piece until fully incorporated.
• Once the butter is incorporated, add the chocolate sauce and stir to combine.
• This glaze does cool enough to spread with an offset spatula, but it's best to keep it warm for pouring over the pie.
• Now it's time for the assembly!
• Using a bread knife or cake leveler, level the tops of the cakes. Place one layer right side up.
• Cover with pastry cream (about 1/4"-1/3" thick layer is best).
• Place the other cake layer upside down on top of the pastry cream.
• Press the cake down a but until the pastry cream just peaks out from the sides of the cake.
• Slowly pour the chocolate glaze over the center of the top of the cake. If needed, use an offset spatula to guide the glaze toward the edge. Stop pouring once the glaze reaches the edge of the cake. Allow a bit of the glaze to drip down the sides.
• Store in refrigerator. Serve cold or at room temperature.

BOSTON CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add milk, oil, egg yolks, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed until combined. Beat an additional 3 minutes on high speed and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium to high speed until soft peaks form. Pour the egg yolk mixture over the egg white mixture and fold in. Gently pour the batter into a 9-inch greased pie pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Invert the pan onto a wire rack. Cool completely.
• Pastry Cream Filling: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and vanilla bean to a boil over medium heat. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the cornstarch and whisk vigorously until no lumps remain. Whisk in 1/4 cup of the hot milk mixture until incorporated. Whisk in the remaining hot milk mixture, reserving the empty saucepan.
• Pour the mixture through a strainer back into the saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and slowly boiling. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Let cool slightly. Cover with plastic wrap, lightly pressing the plastic against the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill at least 2 hours or until ready to serve. (The custard can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Refrigerate until 1 hour before using.)
• Ganache: In a medium bowl, pour the boiling cream over the chopped chocolate and stir until melted.
• To assemble pie, remove the cake from the pan. Cut the cake in half horizontally. Place bottom layer on a serving plate or board, and spread with the pastry cream. Top with second cake layer. Pour chocolate ganache over and down the sides of the cake. Store in refrigerator.

BOSTON CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9" round cake pans or make it easy on yourself and trace the bottom of the cake pans on a piece of waxed paper and cut to fit then place on bottom of pans. No need to grease; the cakes will fall right out.
• For the cake layers: Separate eggs; place whites in a small, clean bowl free of any grease or oil and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake flour, 3/4 cup of the sugar, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In a small bowl with an electric mixer, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Very gradually beat in the remaining 1/4 cup sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
• Add egg yolks, oil and 1/2 cup milk to flour mixture. With electric mixer, beat until smooth, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Add remaining 1/2 cup milk and vanilla. Beat just until combined. Carefully fold beaten egg whites into batter. Divide batter into prepared pans.
• Bake cakes 20 to 25 minutes or until centers spring back when gently pressed. Cool in pans on wire rack for 5 minutes. Loosen cake around edges with a sharp knife then turn cakes out onto racks and remove waxed paper, if used; cool completely. (Tip: I make the cake layers in advance, wrap and freeze. Defrost in wrapper for a couple of hours then proceed with the filling and glaze.).
• While cake is baking, make cream filling: In a 1-quart saucepan, heat 1 cup milk to boiling. In cup or small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup milk, cornstarch, sugar, pinch salt, egg and vanilla until blended.
• When milk comes to boiling, gradually stir in cornstarch mixture with wire whisk. Return to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer 1 minutes or until thickened to pudding consistancy. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Make chocolate glaze: In 1 quart saucepan, heat water and sugar to boiling. Add chocolate chips; stir until glaze is smooth; remove from heat. Cool 5 to 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
• To assemble, place one cake layer, upside down, on a serving plate. Spread with cream filling. Top with remaining cake layer, right side up. Spoon glaze over top; spread to edges of cake. Refrigerate.

NO-BAKE KEY LIME PIE

Steps:

• For the crust: Lightly spray a 9-inch deep dish pie pan with nonstick spray.
• In a food processor or doubled gallon-sized resealable plastic bags, crush the graham crackers into crumbs. Add the sugar, lime zest and salt and mix to combine. Add the butter and process or toss to evenly coat the crumbs. Transfer to the prepared pan and press into an even layer on the bottom and up to the top edge of the pie pan. Freeze while making the filling.
• For the filling: Add the water to a microwaveable cereal-size bowl. Sprinkle with the gelatin in an even layer and set aside to let it absorb the water.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the cream cheese and lime zest on medium speed until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape the bowl and paddle and mix on high until completely smooth and free of lumps, about 30 seconds. Add the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and salt and mix on low speed until combined. Scrape the bowl and paddle and mix on medium speed until completely smooth, at least 1 minute. With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the lime juice and mix until smooth. Scrape the bowl and mix for another 30 seconds.
• Microwave the gelatin in 6-second increments, stirring after each, until clear and fully melted, 18 to 20 seconds. The gelatin will feel warm. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture and stir into the warm gelatin until smooth.
• With the mixer running on medium speed, immediately pour the gelatin into the remaining cream cheese mixture and mix until incorporated, 10 to 20 seconds, stopping to scrape the bowl as needed.
• Pour the filling into the chilled crust and smooth the top. Refrigerate uncovered to chill overnight.
• For the whipped cream: Combine the honey, salt and a splash of the cream in your stand mixer bowl. Use the whisk attachment to combine the honey and cream by hand, mixing until mostly smooth. Add the remaining cream, attach the whisk attachment to the stand mixer and whip on medium-high speed until medium soft peaks form.
• Dollop the whipped cream around the surface of the pie filling.
• For finishing: Zest the lime evenly over the whipped cream. Serve immediately or refrigerate any leftovers for up to 2 days.

NEAPOLITAN ICE CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Combine crackers and butter in a food processor. Press mixture into a 9-inch, deep-dish pie pan to form crust. Chill in freezer for 20 minutes. Remove; spread strawberry frozen yogurt over crust. Sprinkle Heath bar on top. Freeze until firm. Remove. Spread a layer of mint ice cream over frozen yogurt; sprinkle 1 cup Oreos on top. Freeze until firm. Spread a layer of chocolate frozen yogurt on ice cream; freeze until firm. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Oreos on top. Garnish each slice with strawberries.

WICKED GOOD BOSTON CREAM PIE

Steps:

• For the Pastry Cream:.
• 1. Heat half-and-half in medium saucepan over medium heat until just simmering. Meanwhile, whisk yolks, sugar, and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Add flour to yolk mixture and whisk until incorporated. Remove half-and-half from heat and, whisking constantly, slowly add ½ cup to yolk mixture to temper. Whisking constantly, return tempered yolk mixture to half-and-half in saucepan.
• 2. Return saucepan to medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to simmer, whisking constantly, 8 minutes.
• 3. Increase heat to medium and cook, whisking vigorously, until bubbles burst on surface, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla until butter is melted and incorporated. Strain pastry cream through fine-mesh strainer set over medium bowl. Press lightly greased parchment paper directly on surface and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
• For the Cake:.
• 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in medium bowl. Heat milk and butter in small saucepan over low heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat, add vanilla, and cover to keep warm.
• 2. In stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip eggs and sugar at high speed until light and airy, about 5 minutes. Remove mixer bowl from stand. Add hot milk mixture and whisk by hand until incorporated. Add dry ingredients and whisk until incorporated.
• 3. Working quickly, divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake until tops are light brown and toothpick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes.
• 4. Transfer cakes to wire rack and cool -completely in pan, about 2 hours. Run small plastic knife around edge of pans, then invert cakes onto wire rack. Carefully remove parchment, then reinvert cakes.
• To Assemble:.
• 1. Place one cake round on large plate. Whisk pastry cream briefly, then spoon onto center of cake. Using offset spatula, spread evenly to cake edge. Place second layer on pastry cream, bottom side up, making sure layers line up properly. Press lightly on top of cake to level. Refrigerate cake while preparing glaze.
• For the Glaze:.
• 1. Bring cream and corn syrup to simmer in small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Whisk gently until smooth, 30 seconds. Let stand, whisking occasionally, until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.
• 2. Pour glaze onto center of cake. Use offset spatula to spread glaze to edge of cake, letting excess drip decoratively down sides. Chill finished cake 3 hours before slicing. Cake may be made up to 24 hours before serving.