This Sunday (October 23rd) is National Boston Cream Pie Day, and what better way to celebrate than by enjoying this tasty dessert in the city where it was created. Fun fact: Boston cream pie has been distinguished as the official dessert of Massachusetts over Toll House Cookies and Fig Newton. The first Boston Cream Pie originated at the Omni Parker House in downtown. The first Boston Cream Pie was originally called the Parker house “Chocolate Cream Pie” and was created and served at Parker’s Restaurant from the opening of the hotel in October 1856. One of the reasons the dessert became so popular (so popular that it was turned into a Betty Crocker Boxed Mix in the 1990s) was the unique use of chocolate icing. When the restaurant opened chocolate was mainly consumed at home as a beverage or in puddings, so the use of chocolate on the cream pie was a big deal. The original Boston Cream Pie recipe is still served at Omni Parker House today, and you can even try your luck at recreating at home, by following the recipe here.
Another fun fact: Boston Cream Pie isn’t actually even a pie, but a two layer golden cake filled with pastry cream. For the best slice in Boston (in a way more casual setting than Parker’s) you can try Mike’s Pastry or Flour Bakery . Mike’s serves their popular Boston Cream Pie whole or by the slice (it’s also homemade – see picture above). Flour’s well known take on the classic is made with coffee-soaked sponge cake instead of the traditional vanilla. There are many other ways to get your Boston Cream Pie fix this weekend..perhaps in cupcake or donut form? Here are some places you can get not-so-traditional versions of this traditional Boston treat.
Boston Cream Pie Donut:
Union Square Donuts has a popular Boston Cream Pie Donut on the menu, made fresh daily in Somerville.
Boston Cream Pie Cupcake:
Try a Boston Cream Pie in cupcake form from Sweet Bakery in Back Bay. They are as delicious as they are adorable.
Vegan Boston Cream Pie:
If you’re a vegan, don’t worry there’s pie for you too! Veggie Galaxy in Cambridge has a dairy-free versions of this famous dessert on their menu. You can’t even taste the difference.
Boston Cream Pie in a Jar?
The Tap Trail House on Union Street has this hipster version of Boston Cream Pie on their dessert menu. Same flavors just way way cuter.
Boston Cream Pie a la cart (literally from a cart)
Want your Boston Cream Pie on the go? The Boston Cream Pie Company sells their dessert from a tricycle in the Seaport District.
Enjoy:)
