Chocolate Boston Cream Pie

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with waxed paper and grease the paper. Sift the flour, cocoa, and baking soda into a small bowl. Using your electric mixer, beat the egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar together in a medium bowl until very thick and light in color, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and Kahlua. Stir to combine.

In a separate bowl, using clean beaters, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, beating until stiff. Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the yolk mixture. Alternate folding in the flour and egg whites, ending with the egg whites. Spread the batter evenly in the cake pan.

Bake the cake until puffed and tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack. Cut around the pan to loosen the cake. Turn the cake out onto your work surface. Remove the paper. Using a long, serrated knife, cut the cake in half, horizontally. Place half of the cake, cut side up, on your cake dish, Drizzle half of syrup (about 3 1/2 tablespoons) over each side of the cake.

• The Pastry Cream
• 1 1/3 cups heavy cream
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 4 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Bring the heavy cream to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. While the cream is heating, whisk the egg yolks, sugar and salt together in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk the cornstarch into the egg mixture until pale yellow and thick, about 30 seconds.

Slowly whisk half of the hot cream into the egg mixture to temper, then return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thick and glossy, about 1 1/2 minutes. You'll want the mixture to come to a boil. Be sure it is really thick before your take it off the heat. Off the heat, whisk in the butter and vanilla. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl, press plastic wrap directly on the surface, and refrigerate until chilled and set, about 2 hours.

The Ganache Topping

• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/8 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Place all of the ingredients in a microwaveable bowl and microwave the ingredients together at 50% power, whisking often, until melted and smooth, 2 to 4 minutes. Let the glaze cool, uncovered, until it is thickened but spoonable, about 20 minutes.

The Cake Assembly

Spoon the pastry cream onto the bottom half of the cake. Spread evenly to the edges. Top with the other half of the cake. Pour the warm ganache over the top of the cake spreading to the edges and dripping down the sides, if desired. Chill cake until ready to serve.

Chocolate Boston Cream Pie