Boston Cream Pie in a Jar (Recipe)

Looking for easy, yet creative way to make your next dessert? Well instead of baking a traditional cake or pie, try assembling your dessert in a jar! Not only does it look appealing, but it is also very practical, allowing for easy transportation and individual-sized portions.

This past Father’s Day, I made my Dad ‘Boston Cream Pie in a Jar’! My Dad is a big fan of Boston cream pie, but I was tired of making it the same old way. So instead, I decided to try something new and use mason jars! I found my jars at the Canadian Tire, but you can also find them at most grocery and home stores.

To begin, dig up your favourite French Vanilla cake recipe. Or if you’re short on time, you can also buy a box of French Vanilla cake mix. Bake the cake according to the recipe/directions, and make sure you use a large flat pan in order to make thin layers of cake. A ½ sheet cake pan (12”x18”), or two 9”x13” pans will work.

While the cake is in the oven, prepare the custard. You can use two boxes of French Vanilla or custard pudding. Prepare and chill the pudding according to the package directions.

After the cake is done and has sufficiently cooled, cut it into circular rounds that will fit in your jar. You can use a circular cookie cutter or the rim of a glass. Or you can simply trace the lid of your jar onto cardboard and use it as a template to cut around.

Next, you can either prepare homemade chocolate frosting, or do as I did and buy a 16-oz can of chocolate frosting. If going the lazy-route, open the can and microwave the frosting for 1 minute to thin.

Now you are ready to assemble! Start with a layer of pudding, followed by a circular cake round, and top it off with chocolate frosting. Repeat these layers until you reach the top of the jar, but make sure you end with the chocolate frosting! When finished, store them in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Just prior to serving, top each jar with a dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry (I forgot to buy the cherries).

Verdict: scrumptious twist on the traditional Boston cream pie; easy to transport and store; simple assembly process; visually appealing

Prep Time: 2 hours (to prepare cake, pudding and assemble recipe in jars)
Bake Time: 35 minutes (per cake sheet)

Rating: 9/10

*My batch yielded 7 jars (500ml) of Boston cream pie (however, I would recommend using 250ml jars instead for smaller portions)