Il Cucinologo
EN

Crepe Cake

17/11/2023

The crepe cake is an elegant and versatile dessert made of layers of crepes filled with creams or ganache. The classic version features sweet crepes layered with pastry cream or Nutella. It is a dish that allows for many variations, so you could also add an Italian touch with a mascarpone cream filling or enrich the crepes with lemon or orange zest. Here is the basic recipe.

Ingredients

  • 250 g flour
  • 500 ml milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons sugar (optional, if you prefer sweet crepes)
  • A pinch of salt
  • Butter as needed for cooking the crepes

For the pastry cream:

  • 4 egg yolks
  • 500 ml milk
  • 100 g sugar
  • 40 g flour or cornstarch (maizena)
  • Lemon zest or vanilla for flavoring

Preparation

  1. Start with the crepes. In a bowl, mix the flour with the eggs, sugar, salt, and gradually add the milk to avoid lumps. Let the batter rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
  2. To cook the crepes, heat a non-stick pan and grease it with a little butter. Pour in a ladle of batter and tilt the pan to spread it evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until lightly golden. Repeat until the batter is finished.
  3. Now prepare the pastry cream. Heat the milk with the lemon zest or vanilla without bringing it to a boil. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until frothy, then add the flour. Remove the lemon zest or vanilla from the milk and pour the milk in a thin stream over the yolks, stirring quickly to avoid cooking the eggs.
  4. Return the mixture to the heat and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the cream thickens. Let it cool, covering it with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
  5. To assemble the cake, alternate a layer of crepes with a layer of pastry cream until all ingredients are used.
  6. Let the cake rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. You can decorate with powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or melted chocolate before serving.

Fun Facts

In France, the crepe cake is known as “Gâteau de crêpes” and is often served during Candlemas or Valentine’s Day. It’s versatile nature makes it a favorite for personalized creations, blending different flavors and textures for unique gastronomic experiences. We can consider it a “blank canvas” of pastry where you can give free rein to creativity.