Boston Cream Pie Cups

Last month we had a fun birthday dinner for my Mother-in-law Trish and Mary, my brother-in-law's girlfriend, brought the birthday cake. Trish loves Boston Cream Pie and I am so glad the Vossen family introduced me to it.  Mary made these extra-special by assembling the cake in personal serving cups. I just loved them - they are just so cute and very tasty. I had to take a picture and get the recipe to pass on to all of you.
*Note the recipe below is for a whole cake but Mary cubed the cooled cake and assembled in cups.

Cake

1 c. + 2 tablespoons of sifted cake flour
2/3 c. sugar
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ c. milk
¼ c. cooking oil
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
Pastry Crème filling
2 c. whole milk
½ vanilla bean cut lengthwise seeds scraped out
6 egg yolks
2/3 c. sugar
¼ c. cornstarch
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Ganache
8 oz. semi sweet chocolate
1 c. heavy cream boiling
Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add milk, oil, egg yolks, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed until combined. Beat an additional 3 minutes on high speed and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium to high speed until soft peaks form. Pour the egg yolk mixture over the egg white mixture and fold in. Gently pour the batter into a 9-inch greased pie pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Invert the pan onto a wire rack. Cool completely.
Pastry Cream Filling
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and vanilla bean to a boil over medium heat. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the cornstarch and whisk vigorously until no lumps remain. Whisk in 1/4 cup of the hot milk mixture until incorporated. Whisk in the remaining hot milk mixture, reserving the empty saucepan.
Pour the mixture through a strainer back into the saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and slowly boiling. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Let cool slightly. Cover with plastic wrap, lightly pressing the plastic against the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill at least 2 hours or until ready to serve. (The custard can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Refrigerate until 1 hour before using.)
Ganache:
In a medium bowl, pour the boiling cream over the chopped chocolate and stir until melted.
To assemble pie, remove the cake from the pan. Cut the cake in half horizontally. Place bottom layer on a serving plate or board, and spread with the pastry cream. Top with second cake layer. Pour chocolate ganache over and down the sides of the cake. Store in refrigerator.
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