Salted Caramel Crepe Cake- Homemade crepes layered with salted caramel pastry cream topped with fresh whipped cream and generous drizzles of homemade salted caramel
Want to hear a really funny thing? I was recently in Paris and never had a crepe. What in the world was I thinking? The problem was there were too many other good things to eat, check out my post on my favorite Paris Eats. Whether it was steak frites, onion soup, eclairs, tarts, lamb pita, baguettes... you get the picture. So naturally, I didn't have any room for crepes. And I had already checked the whole crepes in Paris off the last time I was in Paris.
Anyways, Crepes have been on my mind. And as any normal person does on Wednesday afternoon I felt like flipping 30 crepes. I also had a container of homemade salted caramel in the fridge, I always make sure to have some on hand. The fridge was looking pretty full, the Half & Half container needed to be used, so pastry cream folded with salted caramel sandwiched between crepes sounded like a good idea. I always think they are so visually appealing to look at, all those layers. Not to mention delicious. The first time I had a crepe cake was at a wine bar in NYC, I remember it all too well. This was YEARS ago, I am sad to say it has taken me this long to make a crepe cake myself. It was only natural that I made a salted caramel crepe cake as if you have read my blog before you know me and salted caramel are besties, whether its tres leches cake, cheesecake or cookies, salted caramel goes with everything.
This is really an easy dessert to make, just a little time consuming- flipping all the crepes and waiting for the pastry cream to chill. The beauty of this is that its make ahead. Even when I am not working I seem to always be busy so having something make ahead or even just certain components of the dessert made ahead makes life easier.
Then when its time to assemble its as easy as layer some crepes, spread some pastry cream and add more layers, then chill and top with fresh cream (because fresh cream?!) and drizzle with loads of salted caramel! Enjoy! Now if you wanted an intense salted caramel flavor I would suggest drizzling salted caramel in between some of the layers.
Another spin on this recipe might be a coffee pastry cream filling, sounds delightful to me!!
★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!
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Salted Caramel Crepe Cake
Salted Caramel Crepe Cake- Homemade crepes layered with salted caramel pastry cream topped with fresh whipped cream and generous drizzles of homemade salted caramel
- Total Time: 3 Hours
- Yield: 1 Cake- Serves 8-12 1x
Ingredients
Pastry Cream
- 16oz (2 cups) Half & Half
- 8 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- Pinch of Salt
- 5 Large Egg Yolks
- 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- 2oz (4 Tablespoons) Unsalted Cold Butter (Cut into ½ inch pieces)
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Bean Paste
- 4oz (½ Cup) Homemade Salted Caramel or store bought salted caramel
Crepes
- 10oz ( 2 ⅓ Cup) All Purpose Flour
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar
- 16oz (2 Cups) Half & Half
- 6oz (¾ Cup) Water
- 5 Large Eggs
- 2oz (4 Tablespoons) Unsalted Butter
- Stick of Butter for the pan
Topping
- 10oz (1 ¼ Cups) Heavy Whipping Cream
- 3 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
- 2oz Homemade Salted Caramel or store bought salted caramel for Drizzling
Instructions
Pastry Cream
- In a large heavy bottomed pan cook the half & half with 6 tablespoons granulated sugar over medium heat until the mixture is simmering, not boiling. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the egg yolks. Add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and finally add cornstarch whisking until pale yellow.
- When half and half is warmed, slowly whisk a small amount into egg yolk mixture to temper the eggs. Slowly add the remaining half & half mixture until fully combined, then transfer the mixture back to the saucepan cooking over medium heat whisking continuously. Cook until mixture has thickened and a few bubbles burst.
- Take off heat and add butter and vanilla bean paste. Pour into a container and cover with plastic wrap pressed up against the cream to prevent a skin. Chill for 1 hour in the fridge and 1 hour in freezer or makeup to 48 hours ahead of time and chill in the fridge.
- Before cake assembly add salted caramel to pastry cream and fold in until no streaks remain.
Crepes
- Place a 9-10 inch skillet over medium-low heat while you prepare the crepe batter.
- In a medium bowl whisk together flour, salt, and sugar. Set aside.
- In another large bowl whisk together half and half, water and eggs. Add half of the mixture to the flour mixture, then add melted butter and finally remaining half & half mixture. Whisk vigorously for a minute, making sure no lumps remain.
- Using a stick of butter lightly coat the pan with butter. Then pour 2 oz (¼ cup) of batter and swirl the pan so the complete bottom of the pan is covered. Let it cook for a minute or two until the top is dry then flip and cook for another minute. Make sure to adjust the temperature depending on how your crepes are cooking, every stovetop is different. My crepes cook best just under medium. Every 2-3 crepes I grease the pan with the stick of butter (I did not use the full stick but its easiest to use a stick). Once the crepe is fully cooked set it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Assembly
- Place 3 crepes on serving platter then place 2 tablespoons of pastry cream then place one crepe then 2 tablespoons pastry cream every few crepes add 2-3 between the pastry cream for stability. Once you have used up all the crepes and pastry cream wrap in plastic and chill 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment whisk heavy cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks. Spread on top of crepe cake and drizzle with salted caramel. Store in fridge.
Equipment
Buy Now → - Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 45 Minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American/ French
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Debra Cattani says
It would be helpful, for ingredients that are not typically kept in one’s pantry/kitchen, if you would provide recommendations for substitutions. For instance, a substitution for a vanilla bean paste, for the salted caramel recipe a substitution for flour de Sel.
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Debra, for creme brulee, I do highly suggest using a real vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste as you want those vanilla flecks in the custard that are so iconic. You could use vanilla extract but I personally don't. For the fleur de sel you could use a good quality sea salt instead. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I am happy to help! xX Liz
Jenn says
Making this right now. Is my pastry cream supposed to congeal overnight in the fridge? Because right now it is just liquid… I’m lost help!!
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Jenn, thanks for reaching out. The pastry cream will set up overnight in the fridge, you can see from the photos this is a more loose pastry cream due to the salted caramel mixed into it. Just be careful when adding the pastry cream to the crepes leave the outside edges free from the cream so when the crepes and cream are layered the weight pushes the cream just to the edges of the crepes as opposed to completely oozing out the sides. Please let me know if you have any further questions and also how you get on, would love to know what you think! XX Liz
Jenn says
Thank you for your quick feedback! That all makes sense! Just finished making all my crepes and can’t wait to finish the recipe!