Created at the Omni Parker House more than 150 years ago, the Boston cream pie (which is actually a cake) now pops up all around town, and not just in cake form. Here's a look at the history of the dessert and how it's made.
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The Ubiquitous Boston Cream Pie
Created at the Omni Parker House more than 150 years ago, the Boston cream pie (which is actually a cake) now pops up all around town, and not just in cake form.

1. Lyndell's Bakery
Somerville, MA 02144
Boston cream pie comes in personal and full sizes, each consisting of two layers of sponge cake with a layer of custard in between and topped with melted chocolate. Also available: Boston cream pie doughnuts (pictured). [Photo: Facebook]
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2. Union Square Donuts
Somerville, MA 02143
Union Square Donuts has a Boston cream pie doughnut in the regular rotation. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]
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3. Puritan & Co.
Cambridge, MA 02139
There's a Boston cream pie doughnut available on the Sunday brunch menu. [Photo: Provided]
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4. Bova's Bakery
Boston, MA 02113
Need to fill a late-night Boston cream pie craving? Good news: Bova's open 24 hours a day, every day. Their Boston cream pie is made with yellow cake, vanilla and chocolate cream, and chocolate ganache. [Photo: Yelp/Bela S.]
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5. Mike's Pastry
Boston, MA 02113
A layer of white cake topped with pastry cream and followed by another layer of cake, topped with chocolate fudge. Available whole or by the slice. [Photo: Yelp/Nicole S.]
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6. Modern Pastry Shop
Boston, MA 02113
Modern offers Boston cream pie cupcakes — vanilla cake filled with vanilla cream and topped with a chocolate ganache frosting — as well as full cakes (by pre-order only).[Photo: Facebook]
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7. Veggie Galaxy
Cambridge, MA 02139
Made in Veggie Galaxy's vegan bakery, this Boston cream pie is free of dairy and eggs. Yellow cake, vanilla bean pastry cream, Taza chocolate ganache. [Photo: Official Site]
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8. The Tap Trailhouse
Boston, MA 02129
Boston cream pie — "but in a jar." [Photo: Provided]
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9. Durgin-Park
Boston, MA 02109
Of course there's a classic Boston cream pie available at this ultra-old Faneuil Hall standby. [Photo: Yelp/Greg E. (shot at the newer Logan Airport location)]
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10. Omni Parker House
Boston, MA 02108
This is the original. Rolled in toasted walnuts and topped with chocolate fondant, the Boston cream pie was first created right here in 1856 by the hotel's first chef, Sanzian. Available in full size as well as miniatures (pictured here). [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]
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11. Finale Desserterie & Bakery
Boston, MA 02116
When you sit down and order the plated version, it comes with mini whoopie pies, a vanilla gelato sandwich with cherry almond florentines, apricot sauce, and fresh fruit. [Photo: Official Site]
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12. Legal Sea Foods - Park Square
Boston, MA 02116
Available at all locations, the Legal Boston cream pie includes chocolate sauce, rum caramel sauce, and toffee almond crunch. [Photo: Provided]
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13. Flour Bakery + Cafe
Boston, MA 02210
Coffee-soaked sponge cake, layered with vanilla cream and topped with chocolate ganache. [Photo: Official Site]
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14. Sweet Cupcakes
Boston, MA 02115
A regular on the menu, the Boston cream pie cupcake is made from sweet chiffon cake, pastry cream, and chocolate ganache, topped with a frosting "cherry." [Photo: Facebook]
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15. OAK Long Bar + Kitchen
Boston, MA 02116
Boston cream pie "our way," they say. Toasted almond pound cake, vanilla pastry cream, and bittersweet chocolate ganache, served in a jar. [Photo: Facebook]
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16. Bread & Salt at Wink & Nod
Boston, MA 02116
Pastry chef Kate Holowchik's tropical play on a Boston cream pie, available for a limited time, consists of yellow cake layered with yellow cake-infused panna cotta, toasted coconut ice cream, chocolate ganache and sauce, pina colada pastry cream, and coconut crumble. [Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]
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17. Sweet Tooth
Boston, MA 02127
Available in cupcake form (pictured — assorted cupcakes). The vanilla cupcake is filled with a light pastry cream and covered in chocolate ganache. [Photo: Yelp/Kim N.]
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18. Greenhills Irish Bakery
Dorchester, MA 02124
This traditional Irish bakery calls Boston cream pie by its original name, chocolate cream pie. Available in a 10-inch "family size."