Among Japan’s many culinary treasures, the Vanilla Mille Crepe Cake captured my heart instantly. If you love French crepes, this crepe cake is for you.
Contents
Easy Vanilla Mille Crepe Cake Recipe
Vanilla Mille Crepe Cake is a popular version of the famous Japanese mille crepe cake with a rich vanilla pastry cream. This mille crepe cake is a French-inspired dessert. It’s known for its delicate layers of thin crepes stacked atop one another. Each layer is separated by a luscious filling.
The term “mille” means “thousand” in French. It symbolizes many layers in the cake, though most versions typically have 20-30 layers. This cake has become one of the most typical Japanese desserts.
Creating a Japanese-style crepe cake is not hard, but you need to be patient. The crepes must be perfectly thin, and the layers must be assembled carefully to achieve the desired height. Here’s how to make the Vanilla Mille Crepe Cake:
Classic Vanilla Mille Crepe Cake
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Whipped cream
- Fresh fruits strawberries, blueberries, etc.
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and gradually add them to the dry ingredients, mixing well.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter and let it cool for a few minutes.
- In another bowl, warm the milk until it's just heated but not boiling.
- Gradually add the warm milk to the batter, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add the melted butter and vanilla extract, and mix until the batter is smooth.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease the skillet with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Pour a small amount of batter into the skillet, swirling to spread evenly. Cook each crepe for about 1-2 minutes and gently flip the crepe using a spatula or flipping it in the air. Cook the other side for an additional 1 minute or until lightly golden.
- Transfer the cooked crepe to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining batter. If the skillet starts to stick, you can lightly re-grease it. Allow the crepes to cool completely.
- Place one crepe on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of whipped cream over the crepe. Continue layering crepes and whipped cream until you have a stack.
- Top the cake with more whipped cream and fresh fruits.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld.
SIMILAR RECIPES
Pairing suggestions
Vanilla Mille Crepe Cake is served with several types of drinks and foods. These include:
- Drink Pairings
- White Russian complements the cake’s texture.
- Amaretto Sour adds a nice touch alongside vanilla.
- Sparkling Wine pairs perfectly with the cake’s richness.
- French 75 brings a zesty contrast to the creamy layers.
- Matcha Latte balances the cake’s sweetness.
- Earl Grey Tea enhances the dessert’s flavors.
- Food Pairings
- Fresh Fruits like strawberries or blueberries add freshness and visual appeal.
- Fruit Compote boosts the flavor, pairing well with the cake’s lightness.
- Flavored Whipped Cream adds a custom touch.
- Chocolate Sauce adds richness in each bite.
Variations
You can try other mille crepe cake variations with different fillings, from classic vanilla pastry cream to chocolate ganache, fruit compotes (strawberry, blueberry, or lemon), or matcha-flavored creams.
- Matcha Crepe Cake is infused with matcha powder and alternate layers with a light and creamy matcha-flavored filling.
- Chocolate Version adds cocoa powder to the crepe batter for chocolate-flavored crepes.
- Fruit Additions incorporate fresh fruits like strawberries or mango slices between layers for a fruity twist.
- Espresso or Caramel Flavors add espresso powder to the batter or layer with espresso caramel cream for a bold coffee flavor.
- Nutty Layers sprinkle finely chopped nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts, between layers for added crunch and flavor.
- Tropical Crepe Cake is layered with a tropical fruit medley, such as mango, pineapple, and passion fruit.
- Brûléed Topping adds a crunchy caramelized layer.
- Specialty Variations
- Funfetti Crepe Cake is sprinkled and filled with colorful pastry cream for celebrations like birthdays.
- Carrot Crepe Cake incorporates puréed carrots into the batter and layers with pineapple-cream cheese filling for a unique twist on carrot cake.
- Mascarpone Cream Filling uses mascarpone cream instead of whipped cream for a richer texture and flavor.
You can create other variations you like. Feel free to mix and match flavors, get creative with fillings, and tailor it to your taste buds.