Email to Linda Leone      

Pie, Boston

Source of Recipe

Massachussets, pre 1850's


Recipe Introduction

Preheat oven to 350degrees F.

List of Ingredients

3 eggs
1 C sugar
1 1/2 C sifted flour
1 heaping tsp baking powder
1 T milk

Filling;
1 vanilla bean
6 large eggs
1 C milk
1 C cream
1 tsp vanilla





Recipe

Make the Cake: Preheat the oven to 350degrees°F Grease two 9-inch cake pans, line the bottom with parchment paper, then grease the paper as well.
Sift the flour with the baking powder. Beat the egg whites until stiff and glossy, being careful not to over beat them. Set aside.
Beat the yolks at high speed for at least 15 minutes, adding the sugar little by little until the mixture is pale yellow and thick. Add the milk or water, then add the flour-baking powder mixture little by little. Finally fold in the egg whites, making sure not to deflate them. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for about 20-25 minuets, until golden. Let the cakes cool in the pans for five minutes, then unmold them and let them finish cooling on racks.
When the cakes are cold, assemble the cake: spread a thick layer of cream on top of one of the cakes using 1 1/2 c filling,(you will probably end up with about 1/2 c extra) then place the second one on top.

Filling;
Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds adding them to the milk and cream with the vanilla pod. Bring to a simmer, remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes.
Cook the milk and cream, stirring, over medium heat until bubbles form around the edges. Slowly whisk the hot milk into the egg yolks and sugar. Return to the saucepan.
Set a fine mesh sieve over a bowl.
Over low heat. Stir sauce gently but constantly. As soon as the sauce is slightly thickened, remove from heat, and gently stir for 2 minutes. Pour the sauce through the sieve and let cool for 10 minutes.
Var; Banana: Chill the filling and add 4 small bananas, thinly sliced. Stir carefully. Cut the cake into 3 layers and place filling on top of 2. Frost the cake with whipped cream, also frosting the sides. Sprinkle top with toasted coconut.
Var; Pecan cream cake: Add 1 tsp orange extract, 1 tsp almond extract and 1 C finely ground chopped pecans to cake batter.
var;Fill layers with mocha custard and top with mocha cream icing.