Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes (Creamy Vanilla Centers & Chocolate Ganache)

These Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes are soft vanilla cupcakes filled with smooth pastry cream and topped with a rich chocolate ganache. They’re inspired by the classic dessert Boston cream pie, but in easy individual cupcake form. 🍫🧁

---

🥣 Ingredients

Vanilla Cupcakes

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1½ teaspoons baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• ½ cup milk

---

Creamy Vanilla Filling (Pastry Cream)

• 1½ cups whole milk

• 4 egg yolks

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

---

Chocolate Ganache Topping

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• ½ cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon corn syrup (optional for shine)

---

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.

3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. In another bowl beat butter and sugar until fluffy (2–3 minutes).

5. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.

6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, mixing until smooth.

7. Fill cupcake liners about ⅔ full.

8. Bake 18–20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

9. Let cool completely.

---

2️⃣ Make the Pastry Cream

1. Heat milk in a saucepan until just simmering.

2. In a bowl whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.

3. Slowly whisk hot milk into the egg mixture.

4. Return mixture to the saucepan.

5. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until thick.

6. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.

7. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour until chilled.

---

3️⃣ Fill the Cupcakes

1. Cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake (use a knife or cupcake corer).

2. Spoon or pipe the pastry cream into the center.

---

4️⃣ Make the Chocolate Ganache

1. Heat heavy cream until hot but not boiling.

2. Pour over chocolate chips.

3. Let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth.

4. Add corn syrup if using.

---

5️⃣ Top the Cupcakes

• Spoon or dip the tops of cupcakes into the chocolate ganache.

• Let the chocolate set for about 15 minutes.

---

🍽️ Serving Tips

• Chill cupcakes 30 minutes before serving for the best cream texture.

• Store in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

• Garnish with chocolate curls or powdered sugar.

---

✅ Baker’s Tips

• Use a piping bag for neat cream filling.

• For extra flavor, add ½ tsp vanilla bean paste to the pastry cream.

• Make ganache thicker by adding more chocolate if needed.

---

If you want, I can also show you:
🧁 The bakery-style Boston Cream Cupcakes secret recipe
🍰 The original Boston Cream Pie recipe
🍫 The easiest 10-minute chocolate ganache method used by pastry chefs.