Strawberries and Cream Crepe Cake

I have such a love/hate relationship with summer.  Do you?  I hate the heat, I love the heat.  I hate mosquitos, I hate bugs, but I love being outside.  I guess I'm a girl who can't be pleased or something.  One thing I DO love about summer most is fresh fruits and veggies.  Though I haven't ever grown strawberries, we have a few farms around here to go pick them at.  My sister did recently and I knew, when I tasted the jelly, it NEEDED to become part of a recipe.  And what is better in summer than anytime of the year?  Strawberry shortcake, of course!  Well, I figured most everyone knew how to make that, and I have been hungry for crepes, so here you go.  The marriage, as I see it, of the two delicious dishes!

This is a very easy dessert.  I think you could technically eat it for breakfast or brunch, maybe supper, oh let's be real, you will want it at midnight too!  You will probably use store bought jelly or jam and that is perfectly fine.  But please don't buy store bought crepes.  My heart won't be able to handle it.  You can go to my recipe for Nutella Cream Crepes and do a couple of things that I will list with the recipe.  Make those Nutella Cream Crepes while you are at it.  And roll that "R" for me baby.  HA! 

NOTE: My crepes appear a bit thick, they are.  I used my 6 inch nonstick skillet that I use only for crepes for this recipe.  Ideally, you will use an 8-9 inch pan for yours.  My cake served 4 very well, yours might serve a couple of more, or leave more for you to eat at midnight.

Here is what you are going to need to make the 3 different components that you will need to make this light, and delicious recipe.

You will need :
a double recipe of my crepe recipe and to this recipe, you will add 1 tsp. vanilla extract.  Make your crepes, and set aside to cool.

Vanilla Cream Filling
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract or paste
1 individual cup of vanilla pudding or 1/3 cup if you are measuring it from regular size batch

Add all ingredients in a bowl and using your hand mixer, mix until well combined, then turn to high and beat for 1-2 minutes. 

Strawberry Filling
1/2-3/4 cup strawberry jelly
1-2 T. hot water

Mix together and microwave for 30 seconds, to loosen the jelly and make it a bit thinner. 

Now, here is how it goes...

First get your jelly/jam and vanilla cream together...

Then pull over your crepes...

Now, lay a crepe on a plate and top with a THIN layer of cream...

Top with another crepe and spread with strawberry jam...

Rinse and repeat until you have stacked all of your crepes.  I don't recall how many my double recipe made of the 6 inch but it will make a few less of the 8 or 9 inch.  No worries, your cake will still be perfect.

When you are done, refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.  If you are doing this with any other fillings I don't think it needa chilled, but with the jam it does.  Do not make this HOURS in advance. (You can make your crepes way in advance just not the whole cake)  You pretty much want to eat it as soon as it is chilled.  It ROCKS!

 

That is it.  Simple, isn't it?  I hope your enjoy it and make it soon!  Be creative with your fillings too!  Post your photos on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.  Use the hashtag #chefwannabesfood !

ENJOY!



Nutella Love 2! Nutella Cream Crepes

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!  It is SO COLD!  It is currently 12 degree's in Omaha!  I can do this, I can especially do this because there is no snow on the ground, and I can take any temperature as long as it doesn't involve snow or ice!  
 

I decided to make a great dinner tonight.  I mean, I ALWAYS make a great dinner (teehee) but I wanted to amp it up tonight. Perhaps because I haven't for so long.  Regardless, dessert is what I was wanting to get too.  A couple of days ago I got this ridiculous hankerin' for all things Nutella.  I made Fried Nutella Ravioli the other day and today I headed to France with my crepes!  

Did I mention how flippin' cold it is?  K'.  Just checking.  

Ok, first let's get to the crepes.  They are so easy to make.  Just make sure to follow a couple of tips.  Make sure to have your nonstick spray handy.  In a nonstick skillet you shouldn't need to much, but I give a little spray after I take each one out to ensure the next one doesn't stick.  I am not going to NOT do it and see if it works without.  Got me?  Also, almost like pancakes, wait until you see big bubbles coming in the center of the crepe before you flip it.  Not little tiny bubbles but big blob bubbles!  It will take 45 seconds to 1 minute.  I just flip these with my hands.  I lift an edge and make short and easy work of it.  Spatula's and flippers just cause problems in this case for me!  You can make your crepes as big or small as you want, you will obviously get less if you use more batter for each.  I got 8 with this recipe.  Let's get to it...

Crepes
2 eggs
2 tbsp melted butter
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
1/8 tsp salt
You can put all ingredients in a blender or use a hand mixer.  Just make sure that all ingredients are combined to be a very smooth batter.  Heat your skillet on medium.  Add 1/4 cup batter in the middle and IMMEDIATELY start swirling your pan to spread it out.  Work in a circular motion until the batter will no longer spread out.  It will take 45 seconds to 1 min (approx) until it is ready to flip.  You will know, it can be a little brown on the bottom, not a problem.  Flip when it is time and let cook another 30-45 seconds on the second side.  Put on a plate when finished.  I use parchment paper cut into squares between each crepe.  This is not necessary if you are using them immediately, but if you do this you can make them ahead cover them all with saran wrap when done and refrigerate.  I am told they will freeze up to 3 months if you store them in Ziploc!  If making ahead, take the crepes out 1 hour before you need to use them, microwave each a few seconds to slightly warm up before assembling!

Now for the "cream" part...
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/3 milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Using a mixer, combine until smooth and delicious!

To assemble:  Spread cream on one half of the crepe and then fold in half, and then half the other way, so you end up with it looking like a quarter of a piece of pie!  Put some Nutella in a bowl and microwave 30 seconds.  Stir with a spoon and drizzle over the top of the crepes.  

This is FANTASTIC!  I hope you love as much as my family did!!  

Your "nighty nighty Nutella" Chefwannabe

Chris