Sunday, October 28, 2007

Bostini Cream Pie


So I decided to join the Daring Bakers group because I totally suck at baking and need some help. By joining the group, you are assigned a challenging dessert to make and you have a certain date to make it, take a picture of it, and then post it on your cooking blog. I love that it's a recipe that I would never try on my own because of its complexity, but I'm so glad I did. And really it wasn't that hard.

I made this for my family, with my sister Jill as my sous chef, and most everyone was very impressed. Joe thought it tasted like the kind of dessert you would eat at a very expensive restaurant.

BOSTINI CREAM PIE
Custard:
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 3/4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 whole egg, beaten
  • 9 egg yolks, beaten
  • 3 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 vanilla bean (EDITED: vanilla extract is okay)
  • 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
Chiffon Cake:
  • 1 1/2 cups cake flour
  • 3/4 cup superfine sugar
  • 1 1/3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/3 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 1/3 cup beaten egg yolks (3 to 4 yolks)
  • 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons grated orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup egg whites (about 8 large)
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
Chocolate Glaze:
  • 8 ounces semi or bittersweet chocolate
  • 8 ounces unsalted butter
INSTRUCTIONS
To prepare the custard: Combine the milk and cornstarch in a bowl; blend until smooth. Whisk in the whole egg and yolks, beating until smooth. Combine the cream, vanilla bean and sugar in a saucepan and carefully bring to a boil. When the mixture just boils, whisk a ladleful into the egg mixture to temper it, then whisk this back into the cream mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain the custard and pour into 8 large custard cups. Refrigerate to chill.
To prepare the chiffon cakes: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray 8 molds with nonstick cooking spray. You may use 7-ounce custard cups, ovenproof wide mugs or even large foil cups. Whatever you use should be the same size as the custard cups. Sift the cake flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Add the oil, egg yolks, orange juice, zest and vanilla. Stir until smooth, but do not overbeat. Beat the egg whites until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Gently fold the beaten whites into the orange batter. Fill the sprayed molds nearly to the top with the batter. Bake approximately 25 minutes, until the cakes bounce back when lightly pressed with your fingertip. Do not overbake. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. When completely cool, remove the cakes from the molds. Cover the cakes to keep them moist.
To prepare the glaze: Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Place the butter in a saucepan and heat until it is just about to bubble. Remove from the heat; add the chocolate and stir to melt. Pour through a strainer and keep warm.
To assemble: Cut a thin slice from the top of each cake to create a flat surface. Place a cake flat-side down on top of each custard. Cover the tops with warm chocolate glaze. Serve immediately.

34 comments:

The Baker & The Curry Maker said...

I love how you presented it, looks great. Welcome & congrats on first challenge.

Gigi said...

Great Job! The "cream pie" looks amazing.

Pille said...

Happy birthday, Lisa! And well done for completing the challenge!

Anne said...

Great job! :)

BC said...

This looks fantastic. Great presentation!

Marye said...

nice job! congrats for completing it! And happy birthday.

Christine said...

Hey Lisa, Happy Birthday from a fellow DBer, and congratulations on your first challenge!

Katerina said...

Happy Birthday! I actually made it for my birthday too! Although it was a few weeks ago.

Brilynn said...

Well done on a first challenge!

kellypea said...

What a beautifully presented tart. Clearly, you don't "suck" at baking. I do know what you mean, though, because I joined so that I'd think about baking more. It's worked!

Marilee said...

Hi Lisa, I want to make the popcorn recipe you sent me and i have a question about the popcorn. Can I use butter flavor microwave popcorn or does it have to be plain? Or is there a cup measurement? Happy belated birthday!

Unknown said...

Congrats on your first challenge...I'm looking forward to being "pushed" in the baking department as well.

Belinda said...

Well, you certainly don't suck at baking! Your Bostini Cream Pie is among the most elegantly presented I've seen...you did a beautiful job with your first Daring Baker challenge. I love how yours turned out. :-)

breadchick said...

Great job on your Challenge and having a wonderful sous chef like your sister always helps!!

Jeff said...

Happy Birthday!

slush said...

It looks lovely! Grats on your first challenge.

Megan said...

Our forst challange is in the bag. We did it! Great job. Cant wait for the second=)
I hear Happy Birthday is in order.
Happy Happy Birthday!

Inne said...

Doesn't look like you suck at baking at all! Well done on your first challenge.

Deborah said...

It looks wonderful!! Great job on your first challenge!

Jen Yu said...

Oooh, another big one! For someone (me) who loves small servings, I am utterly enamoured with the big ones! That looks beautimus. Good job.

jen at use real butter

April said...

Congrats on completing your first challenge!! It looks delish!

Helene said...

Looks absolutely wonderful! Congrats on completing your first DB challenge!

The Yosts said...

Looks very yummy but oh my! The list of ingredients scare me and my waist! :)

Happy Birthday!

Alpineberry Mary said...

Looks like you're on your way to becoming a great baker. Welcome to the group and nice job on your bostini cream pie.

Anne said...

I'm so impressed how beautiful your bostini turned out :) well done!

Sheltie Girl said...

Wonderful job on your bostini! I love your presentation.

Welcome to the Daring Bakers!

Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go

creampuff said...

Congratulations on your first DB challenge! And I don't think you "suck" at baking at all ... judging by the looks of that beautiful bostini!

marias23 said...

What a beautiful presentation! J'adore!

Lis said...

Yay! I'm glad everyone liked it.. and how nice you got to bake with your sis! My lil sis can't boil water. Ugh. But she promises that she'll let me teach her how to cook. I can't wait! hahahaa!

Beautiful Bostini, Lisa!

xoxo

Gabi said...

Great job!
Happy Birthday to you!
xoxo

Julie said...

It looks great, like a traditional Boston cream pie! I'm glad it came out so well for you. Congratulations on your first challenge!

Dolores said...

Gorgeous! Congratulations on a successful first challenge, and welcome!

Peabody said...

Best way to get better at baking is to keep doing it...this group will help with that!

Julius said...

I love how your bostini looks like a boston cream pie. =)

Feel free to check my bostini here.

Julius

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