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Daring Bakers Challenge: Teeny Bostini

Oct 29 by Anita 84 Comments

Bostini1

One of the best aspects of being in the Daring Bakers is learning about new recipes you’ve never heard of or might never have thought of trying. This was the case this month, when our host Mary of Alpineberry unveiled our challenge: her favorite recipe for Bostini Cream Pie. This dessert was actually created in San Francisco by Donna Scala and Kurt Baguley of the Bay Area classics Scala’s Bistro and Bistro Don Giovanni. A twist on Boston cream pie, this recipe consists of a zesty orange chiffon cake in a pool of velvety vanilla custard, drizzled with a deep chocolate sauce. Every spoonful is pure creamy luxury in your mouth, a perfect comfort dessert for the cold winter months.

Since the recipe components were fairly straightforward and Mary gave us free reign to assemble them as we pleased, this was an opportunity to get creative with our plating techniques. My first thought when I looked at the fluffy cake, the pale yellow custard, and the rich dark chocolate was that this could be one of Pierre Hermé’s Emotions, those little test tubes in which gustatory delight are alchemized into museum-worthy perfection. I decided, what more elegant way to show off and contrast the various elements of the Bostini than layered in a glass?

Although the Emotions are presented in wider, rounder, glasses, I went with smaller, narrower vodka glasses because I liked the idea of displaying them all on ice, just like shots of vodka. Indeed, with a glass this small and narrow, you almost want to "shoot" the entire dessert at once – or at least make sure there is an appropriately tiny spoon handy!

Bostini2

It’s not necessary, of course, to use shot glasses – be sure to check all the other Daring Bakers to get some other very creative and lovely takes on this recipe – but you should try out the recipe at least once, as I really loved the combination of flavors and textures. The only thing I might do differently next time is to bake the cake in a smaller pan; I spread the cake batter out in a half sheet pan and cut out circles for the glasses from it, but it wasn’t quite thick enough to get the depth I needed so I ended up having to layer several cutout circles. I probably should have used a smaller pan so it would have baked up thicker in the first place. Nevertheless, the cake was wonderfully light and moist, and the orange was a nice tart note to balance out the richness of the custard and the chocolate. Thanks Mary for giving the Daring Bakers another fun challenge!

Bostini Cream Pie
makes 8 generous servings
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
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

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.

Tagged with: bostini cream pie + Daring Bakers

Bite This!

Filed Under: Cakes, Chocolate, Custards, Events, Recipes

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Comments

  1. 1

    Ivonne says

    Oct 28 at 6:36 pm

    So pretty, Anita! And I agree with you there are so many advantages to being a DB!

    Reply
  2. 2

    VeggieGirl says

    Oct 28 at 6:41 pm

    Such a gorgeous Bostini!!

    Reply
  3. 3

    Julius says

    Oct 28 at 8:00 pm

    Hi Anita,

    Let me first of all say I *love* your blog. I first heard of your site from Sarah Phillips’ Baking 911 some months ago and I’ve been an avid reader ever since.

    Your bostini is *beautiful*. The size you picked is perfect for serving this incredibly rich dessert.

    Please feel free to drop by my blog and check out my bostini:

    http://occasionalbaker.blogspot.com

    Julius

    Reply
  4. 4

    Anh says

    Oct 28 at 8:32 pm

    I am with you, this dessert is excellent in glass… And they are so luxurious, too!

    Reply
  5. 5

    Nabeela says

    Oct 28 at 8:49 pm

    Beautiful presentation!! Now I have a reason to buy those incredible looking glasses at macy’s 😉

    Reply
  6. 6

    Lisa says

    Oct 28 at 8:58 pm

    Simply stunning, Anita. =)

    If I ever throw an elegant party, I’d like to hire you to make the food look gorgeous!

    xoxo

    Reply
  7. 7

    brilynn says

    Oct 28 at 9:09 pm

    As usual, your presentation is amazing! I love the idea of using shot glasses.

    Reply
  8. 8

    eliza says

    Oct 28 at 11:00 pm

    ah…as i thought. i was at anne’s blog, one of the daring bakers, and commented that it sounded like boston cream pie & the components were almost similar to it too. i guess in your presentation it could mean smaller sampler of a twist from boston cream pie? 🙂

    Reply
  9. 9

    steph (whisk/spoon) says

    Oct 28 at 11:35 pm

    oh–those are sweet! and you got all the stuff in there so neatly as well! i love them

    Reply
  10. 10

    Katie says

    Oct 28 at 11:53 pm

    Oh wow they look so cute. Just wonderful.

    Reply
  11. 11

    Pille says

    Oct 29 at 1:02 am

    That’s the coolest way of serving this dessert – very creative, Anita!!

    Reply
  12. 12

    Kat says

    Oct 29 at 1:38 am

    I love your version of this recipe because it has a lot of chocolate on top!!

    Reply
  13. 13

    Anne says

    Oct 29 at 1:39 am

    Oh, those are gorgeous little shot glasses! I want some! 🙂 Really great presentation and photos!

    Reply
  14. 14

    ilva says

    Oct 29 at 2:35 am

    I love this idea! Next time I will make them like this!

    Reply
  15. 15

    Jenny says

    Oct 29 at 4:34 am

    Oooh those are so cute! You could serve them at a tasting menu in a fancy restaurant!

    Reply
  16. 16

    Graeme says

    Oct 29 at 4:46 am

    Great play on the name, Anita, and such novel presentation.

    Reply
  17. 17

    Jenn says

    Oct 29 at 6:16 am

    I love your idea of putting them in a shot glass! I am a member of the Daring Bakers for the first time this months, and it’s lovely to see all the different things people have come up with!

    http://www.chocolateshavings.ca

    Reply
  18. 18

    veron says

    Oct 29 at 6:16 am

    They look incredible in those little vodka glasses,Anita. And as rich as the dessert is, I think that is the perfect serving size.

    Reply
  19. 19

    baking soda says

    Oct 29 at 6:53 am

    Isn’t that just gorgeous! I wouldn’t dare dipping in with a spoon…amazing!

    Reply
  20. 20

    Rose says

    Oct 29 at 7:02 am

    Excellent Job Anita. The best presentation so far. I would be too afraid to ruin it by eating it.

    Reply
  21. 21

    Annemarie says

    Oct 29 at 7:13 am

    These look fantastic – even if I were to try something similar, I’m sure my cake would come out all smooshed and rammed-into-the-glass looking. Very delicate and elegent Bostini, Anita.

    Reply
  22. 22

    nne says

    Oct 29 at 7:46 am

    wow! they are so elegant looking! those glasses are so cute 🙂

    Reply
  23. 23

    Laura says

    Oct 29 at 7:54 am

    I’d down a couple of those shots in no time Anita! Do I need to say beautiful as always?!

    Reply
  24. 24

    rachel says

    Oct 29 at 7:54 am

    That is totally adorable!

    Reply
  25. 25

    Farah says

    Oct 29 at 8:07 am

    Teeny Bostini – they are so cute! Love the idea of using shot glasses…

    Reply
  26. 26

    DaviMack says

    Oct 29 at 8:48 am

    What a classy idea! Of course, they’re a little too narrow to get your tongue into, for that last bit of custard. Which isn’t classy. But oh well. 🙂

    Reply
  27. 27

    TadMack says

    Oct 29 at 9:10 am

    CLASSY.

    Reply
  28. 28

    Augustina says

    Oct 29 at 9:35 am

    So cute and original! I love your presentation on the Bostini Crm Pie–great job!

    Reply
  29. 29

    brittany says

    Oct 29 at 10:14 am

    Hi Anita! I’ve been reading your blog for several months- long before I had started one of my own. You never fail to impress me with your beautiful work. These lovely bostinis are a prime example. I never would have thought to do teensy little towers like those- I love em!

    Reply
  30. 30

    fon says

    Oct 29 at 10:36 am

    Wonderful and elegant

    Reply
  31. 31

    Belinda says

    Oct 29 at 11:12 am

    I am compeltely captivated by your Teeny Bostinis! What a delightful way to present them, I love it! 🙂

    Reply
  32. 32

    Tea says

    Oct 29 at 11:16 am

    Hands down, your presentation of Bostini crea, pie blew me off. Wow.
    Stunning! :))

    Reply
  33. 33

    laura says

    Oct 29 at 11:49 am

    Beautiful! I can just imagine eating them with little demitasse spoons!

    Reply
  34. 34

    Renee says

    Oct 29 at 12:22 pm

    I’ve had this at Scala’s in San Francisco. Yours LOOK much nicer, and you could eat a whole bunch of them without feeling overstuffed!

    Reply
  35. 35

    Susan says

    Oct 29 at 1:02 pm

    You prove here that less is definitely more. Awesome way to present this rich and delicious dessert!

    Reply
  36. 36

    Michelle says

    Oct 29 at 1:15 pm

    I love the test tube Bostini’s…great job!

    Reply
  37. 37

    [email protected] says

    Oct 29 at 1:21 pm

    Love the ini’s in the shot glass 😉

    Reply
  38. 38

    Marce says

    Oct 29 at 1:22 pm

    that´s just too cute, Anita! And the tiny size would actually mean this can be a 200 calorie dessert, instead of the billion calories the original servings had! haha

    Reply
  39. 39

    marye says

    Oct 29 at 1:40 pm

    I LOVE the presentation. Reminds me of those popsicles we used to et form the ice cream truck int he summer..LOL

    Reply
  40. 40

    Laurie says

    Oct 29 at 2:02 pm

    Those look amazing! Fantastic presentation! Great job!

    Reply
  41. 41

    Mary says

    Oct 29 at 3:53 pm

    Your presentation is elegant and fun at the same time. It would be so perfect for a “dessert” party. Great job Anita!

    Reply
  42. 42

    Nan says

    Oct 29 at 4:05 pm

    That is a very VERY cute way to display them! I’m seriously so inspired by it! They look delicious.

    Reply
  43. 43

    Courtney Foster says

    Oct 29 at 4:07 pm

    great idea for presentation they looks marvelous

    Reply
  44. 44

    Christina says

    Oct 29 at 4:52 pm

    What a novel way to serve it! It makes a lovely presentation, too.

    Thanks for stopping by at my blog. =)

    Reply
  45. 45

    April says

    Oct 29 at 5:43 pm

    I love the ideas in shot glasses! Very cute!

    Reply
  46. 46

    Elle says

    Oct 29 at 6:20 pm

    What a clever way to present this decadent dessert. I’ll bring over a tiny spoon if you’ll save me one.

    Reply
  47. 47

    Andrea says

    Oct 29 at 6:23 pm

    Great presentation! I love how creative you get with these challenges.

    Reply
  48. 48

    Ashley says

    Oct 29 at 7:30 pm

    Wow I think the way you put this cake together is my favourite! They look so perfect and cute.

    Reply
  49. 49

    Molly says

    Oct 29 at 8:32 pm

    How amazingly elegant and ingenious! Well done!

    Reply
  50. 50

    cupcaketastic says

    Oct 29 at 9:20 pm

    These are just so teeny & cute, I could eat half a dozen. I am jealous that you have a vodka shot set.

    Reply
  51. 51

    joey says

    Oct 30 at 1:49 am

    I LOVE the shot glasses! What a fab way of presenting this! 🙂 You are truly talented 🙂 A totally agree with you on serving these in glasses…looks terrific and it’s actually simpler 🙂

    Reply
  52. 52

    maninas: food matters says

    Oct 30 at 4:16 am

    How creative! I’m impressed! looks absolutely amazing!

    Reply
  53. 53

    Sheltie Girl says

    Oct 30 at 5:36 am

    Teeny weeny bostinis…a wonderful idea for presentation, especially served together in a bowl of ice. Simply fabulous.

    Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go

    Reply
  54. 54

    Jen Yu says

    Oct 30 at 6:49 am

    Absolutely lovely presentation, Anita! Great job and what a beautiful blog you have 🙂

    Reply
  55. 55

    clumsy says

    Oct 30 at 7:23 am

    I love your innovation in using shot glasses… was anybody able to have them as shooters, or were the tiny spoons needed?

    Reply
  56. 56

    Deborah says

    Oct 30 at 7:57 am

    Your shot glasses just might be my favorite!! They look delicious!!

    Reply
  57. 57

    Big Boys Oven says

    Oct 30 at 8:39 am

    a true chef!

    Reply
  58. 58

    Caroline Côté says

    Oct 30 at 9:51 am

    Petit dessert élégant et raffiné! I really enjoy your picture of this dessert on ice – quite creative! Bravo!

    Reply
  59. 59

    Claire says

    Oct 30 at 12:28 pm

    I love you BosTINI!

    Reply
  60. 60

    Amy says

    Oct 30 at 1:26 pm

    These are soo cute! Little bostinis in little shot glasses with little spoons! I would probably take quite a few shots of those. yum!

    Reply
  61. 61

    Dagmar says

    Oct 30 at 2:02 pm

    Beautiful presentation! I have vodka glasses and a matching bowl, just like yours. I never though of using them for desserts but now I will! 🙂

    Reply
  62. 62

    Simona says

    Oct 30 at 2:15 pm

    It is cleat that the experiment you made in your test tubes had a perfect outcome.
    I just read, and utterly enjoyed, your piece on EEB.

    Reply
  63. 63

    Julie says

    Oct 30 at 3:08 pm

    I love your plating on this dessert! I like the idea of serving them on ice, too, since the custard is best cold. Everything I see on your blog makes me so happy. And hungry!

    Reply
  64. 64

    maria~ says

    Oct 30 at 3:52 pm

    Beautiful! I love that you used vodka shot glasses! Did you actually eat it all in one shot? 🙂

    Reply
  65. 65

    Rosa says

    Oct 30 at 4:15 pm

    What gorgeous looking pies! Your presentation and pictures are absolutely amazing and original! Wow!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  66. 66

    breadchick says

    Oct 30 at 7:03 pm

    Anita, I love the presentation in the vodka glass set! Lovely job on this month’s challenge and a joy to bake with you from month to month.

    Reply
  67. 67

    kittne says

    Oct 30 at 7:40 pm

    beautiful job! i love the little vodka glasses for serving. I agree with you about making the cake in a smaller pan next time.

    Reply
  68. 68

    Kelly-Jane says

    Oct 31 at 1:31 am

    Your pies are so cute in the glasses, well done =)

    Reply
  69. 69

    monica says

    Oct 31 at 2:58 am

    how absolutely adorable! i love the mini shot glasses. stunning, as always anita!

    Reply
  70. 70

    kate says

    Oct 31 at 12:07 pm

    i’m just going to echo everyone else here…Anita…woaaaa these look fantastic ! classy , stylish , perfect for ending a cocktail party. I’ve seen many BCPies but your being the latest …i think its the best !

    Reply
  71. 71

    Cassoulet Cafe says

    Oct 31 at 2:30 pm

    GORGEOUS! I’m off to read more of your blog!

    Reply
  72. 72

    peabody says

    Oct 31 at 9:52 pm

    Oh Anita…they are just so adorable!
    You always impress me with your challenges.

    Reply
  73. 73

    Bea says

    Nov 1 at 4:46 am

    Just lovely lovely Anita! You make these so yummy looking.

    Reply
  74. 74

    Tartelette says

    Nov 1 at 10:56 am

    If you only knew what I wuld give to share some kitche time with you or P. Herme’s sampling/shopping in Paris with you…! I was thinking about the Emotions too. Yours are absolutely cuter than cute in the shot glasses! Beautiful as always!

    Reply
  75. 75

    Niko says

    Nov 1 at 1:17 pm

    These are awesome. Nice photographs too. I can’t wait to taste some in their natural habitat (a New York Restaurant dessert menu)

    Niko

    Reply
  76. 76

    Anita says

    Nov 1 at 2:15 pm

    Thank you all for your lovely, sweet comments – you don’t know how happy they make me, that I can share some little bit of my kitchen with you all! thank you also to Mary for the great recipe, and all the other Daring Bakers who inspire me with all their creative and beautiful takes on this dessert!

    Reply
  77. 77

    Meeta says

    Nov 2 at 1:09 am

    Oh I love the way you have presented these. They look so elegant. Nice job sweetie!

    Reply
  78. 78

    Dolores says

    Nov 2 at 4:53 pm

    And as a bonus, your beautiful mini Bostini’s pack all of the luxurious specialness of this dessert, without nearly the caloric impact of the full sized version. Proving that less IS more.

    Reply
  79. 79

    Inne says

    Nov 3 at 3:14 am

    Wow Anita, your presentation is fabulous!

    Reply
  80. 80

    Gabi says

    Nov 6 at 9:11 am

    Lovely blog, lovely presentation on the Bostini!
    I’m (almost) embarrassed to write this but I thought-“Hey someone is going to get his/her tongue stuck in those vodka shot glasses trying to get all the last bits out!” *blush* They’re that appetizing…Nicely done!
    xoxo

    Reply
  81. 81

    Rachael says

    Apr 11 at 2:03 pm

    I love this idea! I actually attending a Martini Tasting party this weekend and am making the Bostini in Martini glasses, instead of shot glasses. I’m planning on baking the chiffon in muffin tins (filling them up only 1/3 of the way) that they will all have the right shape for the glass. Hopefully if all goes well, I’ll have a picture to post.
    Thanks so much for a wonderful and delicious idea!!!!

    Reply
  82. 82

    Adelina says

    Nov 5 at 10:18 am

    I love your presentation for this dessert! I tried to make the cream just last night for this recipe and found that it is a bit too “thick” for me. I guess I would have liked it if it is less of a “pudding” consistency. Maybe if I do this next time, I will try to lessen the cornstarch amount (?)

    Not sure how mine will turn out, but hopefully it still ok to consume!

    Thanks for posting and for sharing!

    Reply
  83. 83

    plombier paris says

    Oct 29 at 8:41 am

    I am with you, this dessert is excellent in glass… And they are so luxurious, too!

    Reply
  84. 84

    Marsha Farmer says

    Jul 31 at 8:46 am

    wow they look so beautiful. I need to get a set of them.

    Reply

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