A Boston cream pie is a round cake that is split and filled with a custard or cream filling and frosted with chocolate. Although it is called a Boston cream pie, it is in fact a cake, and not a pie. Created by French chef M. Sanzian at Boston’s Parker House Hotel, this pudding/cake combination comprises two layers of sponge cake filled with vanilla custard or crème pâtissière. The cake is topped with a chocolate glaze (such as ganache) and sometimes powdered sugar or a cherry.

A Boston cream doughnut is a local name for a Berliner filled with vanilla custard or crème pâtissière and topped with icing made from chocolate.

The Boston cream pie is the official dessert of Massachusetts, declared as such in 1996.