My dad loved Boston cream pie. Perhaps the word “loved” is an understatement. 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 it, his eyes would light up like a kid on Christmas morning.
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.
Every year since my dad passed away, I have honored his birthday with a Boston cream doughnut toast. And since October 23 is National Boston Cream Pie Day, I get another chance to honor his memory each year. Here is a compilation of seven of the “best Boston cream pies goin’!” in the Boston area.
Parker’s Restaurant at the Omni Parker House
Boston
Come eat the delicious pie where it all began! The inaugural chef at Boston’s Parker House Hotel is credited with creating the Boston cream pie recipe in 1856, and it has been a menu staple since. The original recipe is made of marbled dark and white chocolate, with a toasted almond exterior. And it most certainly is something to write home about.
Flour Bakery
Boston and Cambridge
I can quite seriously say I have never gone wrong with any baked good at Flour Bakery. Their Boston cream pie is no exception! It may not be traditional, but the coffee-soaked sponge cake is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Combined with the vanilla cream center and chocolate ganache coating the top, this pie is simply decadent.
Union Square Donuts
Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville
Union Square Donuts was literally voted the best doughnut in Boston. So it’s no surprise that their Boston cream is in the running for the “best doughnut goin’.” The doughnut filling is the perfect vanilla flavor, and the delicious cake is topped with an amazing Belgian dark chocolate frosting.
Veggie Galaxy
Cambridge
If you are looking for an old-school diner vibe — and a delicious vegan twist on an age-old classic — head on over to Veggie Galaxy in Cambridge. The 100% vegan confection boasts a delectable vanilla bean pastry cream sandwiched between two layers of yellow cake and glazed with a heavenly dark Taza chocolate ganache.
Blackbird Doughnuts
Boston, Cambridge, Newton, and Watertown
The Boston cream bismarck is a staple at all of Blackbird Doughnuts’ Boston-area locations. This buttery brioche doughnut is stuffed with a luscious vanilla bean custard and topped with a rich chocolate ganache. It can be a breakfast, a snack, a dessert — or a full meal if you want it to be! You can even pre-order your treats online to skip the wait!
Blacker’s Bakeshop
Newton
Blacker’s Bakeshop in Newton boasts an absolutely delicious Boston cream pie, which comes highly recommended by many moms I know! As if the taste of the pie wasn’t good enough reason to rush to this bakery, it is also a kosher, pareve (dairy free), and nut-free bakery, which offers vegan options, making it a wonderful option for those with allergy concerns.
Montilio’s Baking Company
Brockton
This one’s official, folks. For my Dad’s 61st birthday, he held his two-day-old granddaughter for the first time and was presented with a Boston cream pie from Montilio’s Baking Company in Brockton. He deemed it one of the happiest days of his life and said the pie was, in fact, the best Boston cream pie goin’. I agree. It was delicious. That whole day was pretty darn sweet. Go there. Eat the pie. Make a toast to Dave while you’re there.
