Dunkin’ created the Boston Kreme doughnut as a doughnut version of Boston cream pie.
The Boston Kreme doughnut is typically filled with vanilla custard and topped with chocolate icing. Its name and flavor profile refer to Boston cream pie, the Massachusetts dessert consisting of sponge cake, custard or cream, and chocolate glaze.
Dunkin’ made the combination one of its signature doughnut varieties in the United States. The exact appearance and recipe can vary by market, but custard filling and chocolate topping are the defining features.
This doughnut is sometimes confused with a Boston cream pie because both share the same flavor combination. They are different formats: the pie is a layered cake dessert, while the Boston Kreme is a single filled doughnut. The name “Boston Kreme” is also a branded menu term, rather than a separate traditional regional pastry.