It’s taken me a few cranky, jet-lagged days, but I finally got back into the kitchen! After two weeks of eating everythng in sight, I just couldn’t get inspired to make more sweets. (Until yesterday that is.)
I woke up at the crack of dawn (which has been the norm as I work my way back to NYC time,) and since Andy and I didn’t have much planned for Easter, I had the sudden yearning to make crepes. After having them in Paris, I’ve been dying to try my hand at them, but honestly thought it would be a very challenging recipe I’d need many tries to master. Turns out- I was wrong! I found them easy as pie to make- which made the assembly of this cake simple as can be, (even though it seems fancy and complicated.)
Have you ever had crepe cake? There’s a famous version from the Lady M bakery here in NYC that I am obsessed with. It melts in your mouth, isn’t too sweet and is so light and airy it’s (almost) guilt free! My favorite part about the Lady M version is the crunchy bruleéd top- so I made sure to include that in my cake (even though the recipe that I used didn’t mention it.)
The assembly of this beauty is simple as well, merely spreading a pastry cream/whipped cream filling between the crepe layers. Bruleéing the top is totally optional- and if you don’t have a kitchen torch, a sprinkling of powdered sugar would be great as well. After a brief chilling period for everything to set- it’s ready to be devoured!
Now that I know how easy crepes really are to make, (I think a non-stick pan with raised edges is the key. I used this one.) I can’t wait to try more crepe recipes- both for cakes and just for a fun and versatile breakfast. (Nutella and banana was my favorite filling in Paris!) Wouldn’t this cake be so lovely with thin sliced strawberries between the layers? Or lemon curd? This isn’t the last crepe cake you’ll see from me I can promise you that!
PS- I’m still editing the Italy pictures but I’ll be sharing them any day now. :)
- Crepe Batter (see recipe below)
- Pastry Crème Filling (see recipe below)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 cups milk
- 6 eggs
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 7 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Pinch salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon hot water
- In a small bowl, add egg, flour, sugar, and cornstarch; whisk until smooth.
- In a saucepan over low heat, bring milk almost to a boil (simmer). Immediately remove from heat and slowly whisk it into the egg mixture.
- Return all ingredients to the saucepan, and whisk constantly for about 5 minutes, until thickened and bubbly like lava.
- Remove from the heat. Add vanilla extract and hot water; stir until dissolved into the mixture.
- Refrigerate mixture until thick and cool. (3 hours, or half hour in the freezer and 1½ hours in the fridge.)
- In a small pan, warm the milk until steaming; remove from heat and set aside to allow to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl using your electric mixer at a low speed, mix together the eggs, flour, sugar, and salt. Slowly add in the warm milk and melted butter. Pour the batter into a tightly-sealed container to refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight.)
- Remove the prepared Crepe Batter from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature:
- Prepare some sheets of parchment paper for cooling the finished crepes. (You don't want to stack them directly on each other, but with a layer of parchment between they will be OK.)
- Use a nonstick pan over medium-low heat. (I didn't have to add oil to mine since it's very non-stick- but you may need to.) Pour about 3 tablespoons of the crepe batter into the pan, and swirl to cover the surface of the pan. Cook approximately 1 minute or just until the bottom of the crepe becomes lightly browned. Use a spatula to help lift the edge, and then use your clean fingers to gently and carefully turn the crepe over and continue cooking for another 15-20 seconds. Remove the cooked crepe and place on parchment to cool.
- Repeat this process until you have 20 perfect crepes. (If their sizes are slightly different that is OK, but you want them to be round without tears.)
- When the pastry cream is cold and firm, make whipped cream by beating the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, fold in 1 tablespoon of sugar, and then fold in the pastry cream. (If the pastry cream seems too solid before you add it to the whipped cream, beat it with your mixers for a minute to loosen it up.)
- Place one prepared crepe on a large cake plate.
- With a small spatula, completely cover the crepe with a thin layer of the pastry cream mixture (about ¼ cup).
- Cover with another dry crepe and repeat covering with the Pastry Crème until you have reached 20 layers. Save the nicest looking crepe for the 20th (top) layer.
- Refrigerate the prepared cake for 1-2 hours. Sprinkle the top with 2 tablespoons of sugar and use a kitchen torch to bruleé the top. (or dust with powdered sugar) Let cake come to room temperature before slicing and eating.
dessertfortwo says
Oh, for Heaven’s sake! I need this crepe cake in my life! I love the crunchy sugar topping! This is my weekend project :)
GRACE says
ONE QUESTION——WHAT WERE YOU USING 5″INCH 7″INCH. 8″INCH FRY PAN
THANKING IN ADVANCE
Grace
Audra says
For this I used a 7 inch pan
Tracey says
I’ve never had a crepe cake, but wow do I need to try this! It’s so gorgeous :) I need a new nonstick pan and then I’m going to tackle this, maybe with Nutella like you mentioned!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
I LOVE making crepes! And if they’re in cake form? Even better. Yummm!
Obsessive Compulsive Baking Disorder says
I’m from the UK and have never made a crepe or even HEARD of a crepe cake – this looks amazing!!
I think I should try my hand at making one crepe though before taking on an entire cake, but its definitely gone on my baking to do list.
Thanks!
Leah x
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
OOOOH this does look SUPER fancy and soooo yummy!
Kelly says
This looks absolutely wonderful!!!
Annie @Annie's City Kitchen says
Ooooo! Looks so fancy! Oddly, I think I’d be more intimidated to make the pastry creme since I once messed it up big time. This looks so luscious though. I’m a huge crepe fan!
Abby says
This cake looks perfect, Audra! So yummy!! :)
Laura Dembowski says
That crepe cake is beyond beautiful! Seriously, gorgeous! I have been wanting to try the Lady M cake forever. Now I can make this instead!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Such a beautiful, scrumptious Paris-inspired treat! This cake is gorge, Audra. Great job!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Gosh I am so in love with this!
tara says
Oh my god this is so cool!! I LOOOOVE crepes! They are super fun to make, I agree, the pan is the key.
Creme brulee on top is brilliant!! And so fancy!
Colette @ JFF! says
Quelle francaise!
Chrissy says
This looks absolutely amazing. Everything about this morsel of crepe cake looks ridiculous and so so good.
Glad you made it back safe from Paris! That makes me want to go travel again. :)
ashley - baker by nature says
This cake is pure beauty! This might just be my birthday cake!
Julie @ Table for Two says
Wow this looks so beautiful and delicious! I want to make one! I love the layered look you get when you cut a slice out of it. It’s so pretty. The creme brulee topping is brilliant! I love crusty sugar (haha that sounds weird) but you know what I mean! :)
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
The first time I had crepe cake was in NYC! This looks spectacular :) Love the brûlée top!
Renee @ Awesome on $29 says
This looks just divine. I’m so jealous of your trip to Paris.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
I had a crepe cake once years ago and haven’t gotten it out of my head since… I’ve just always been afraid / too lazy to make one! Yours is so beautiful and sounds amazing.
Joanne says
Okay, I’m so head over heels for you right now! This is CRAZY awesome. I am so buying that pan because my nonsticks are NOT cutting it!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
This is gorgeous!!!
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen says
Oh wow this looks amazing!
Alice says
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Alice says
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this.
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
My mom used to make crepes as a sunday morning treat but I have never had them in cake form. Between the pastry cream filling and brulee top, this recipe is a keeper! Can’t wait to make it.
Becca from cookie jar treats says
I have never made (or even tried) a crepe cake. But it looks so delicious and beautiful! :)
Tricia says
this is so beautiful
i would love to make this for a really special event…i have a little crepe maker that is from the 50’s or 60’s I imagine..basically instead of pouring the batter IN it you keep batter in the bowl and then dip the top of this heated up (its electric) rounded molded disk on top and then flip it over and it peels right off after it’s cooked. it makes beautiful very thin crepes. i will try my hand at it and let you know! i made your cinnamon roles for easter and my family was blown away~ thank you audra~ xoxo
Ava says
Hello Tricia. Where did you get the crepe maker? Do you mind sharing the brand and the model with me? Thanks,
Ava.
Stephie @ eat your heart out says
Audra, this is just gorgeous! I recently just gave crepes a shot as well, and couldn’t believe how easy they were! I always thought they would be so finicky and annoying…not so at all! Next up: try a crepe cake!
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
This is absolutely stunning! I don’t even know where to begin!
Chelsey @ The Lemon Nest says
Creme Bruleé is my all time favorite dessert and the possibility of being able to incorporate it into breakfast is beyond rad. Thank you for sharing, Audra!
Autumn says
This looks amazing! I am so going to try this recipe gluten free! Yum!
Wendy says
Audra, you have out done yourself! This looks amazing and must taste even better. Travel should always be this inspirational! I am pinning this for my Mother’s Day dessert request!
Julia says
Can both the crepe batter and pastry cream be made the day before?
Audra says
Yes absolutely!
wendy says
hello :) how much pastry cream does the recipe make?
fauziah pawan says
had my first crepe cake today. it was a salted caramel crepe cake.
it was to-die-for delicious!!! may not yet be motivated to make them
myself but am definitely in awe of the patience n luv that it
requires. thanks for de mystifying the crepe cake wt ur recipe.
Annie Ko says
Hi! i had a question about the pastry cream filling, if i just real vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract will i have to still add the hot water?
MamaToMany says
I made this exact recipe last year for my son’s 9th bday… and he BEGGED me to make it again this year. Between our 7 kids & my hubby, the chef got none :( So this year I’m trying to figure out how to get ME some this year ;)
Regardless, this is a fantastic recipe- both the crepes & the filling. Thank you!
Carrie says
its gorgeous! I made it today, and instead of the creme brûlée topping just did raspberries and icing sugar. Thanks so much for the detailed recipe, it was a huge hit for my French friends! They’ve all requested one for the birthday with various flavourings:)
Dianne says
I am happy to see so many people happy to try this recipe, but it is missing the ingredient whipping cream. I clicked your link to WCA, and found the answer there. You may want to edit the ingredient list to include 2 cups whipping cream. I was seriously confused for a minute.
Audra says
Hmm thanks for the tip! Sorry for the confusion- I’ll take a look at the recipe to make sure it’s correct.
Jane says
How far in advance can this cake be made ? 1 or 2 days or just hours? Don’t want it to get soggy ! Thank you it looks fabulous
Robin says
I MADE IT!!! It was exactly how I imagined it would be. It was a request from my daughter who spotted this sinfull desert for her birthday cake. Since we were 5 for celebrating, I made the crepes in a 10″ pan and was able to have 16 layers. It was perfect! This is a keeper. Thanks Audra!
josph says
hello
Rosa says
Can I make this the night before and leave it in the fridge over night? Or should it be made the day of?
Sharon Carson says
This looks spectacular! Question though: will this cake travel well? We have a one-hour ride to our dinner destination on Christmas. Would love to bring this. I can transport it in a cooler, so not worried about keeping it cold, but don’t want to risk the layers shifting during transport. Please advise! Thank you and happy holidays!
Audra says
I think so! I would chill it thoroughly before transporting and everything should be pretty solid :)
Brittany says
2 cups heavy cream
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Are these ingredients above supposed to be used in both the pastry cream filling and the crepe batter? Just confused since these ingredients are posted before the others. Thanks!
Joyce says
Hi Audra,
Would there be any other way to bruleé the top without a kitchen torch?
Audra Fullerton says
Not really… in other recipes you could try broiling the top but that wouldn’t be good for this cake. You can definitely skip that part though and it will still be beautiful ❤️
Natanya says
hello I was wondering if you have any tips on how to brule the sugar on top of the crepe cake without a torch?