Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prepare the Crêpe Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the large eggs, whole milk, melted and cooled unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking continuously until smooth. For a silkier batter, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the batter rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours). This allows the flour to fully hydrate, resulting in more tender crêpes.
Cook the Crêpes
- Heat an 8-10 inch (20-25 cm) non-stick crêpe pan or skillet over medium-low heat. Lightly grease the pan with a tiny bit of butter, wiping off any excess with a paper towel.
- Pour about ¼ cup (60ml) of batter into the center of the hot pan, immediately tilting and rotating the pan to spread the batter thinly and evenly to cover the bottom.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until the edges start to crisp and the top looks set. Carefully flip the crêpe with a spatula and cook for another 30-60 seconds on the second side, until lightly golden.
- Transfer the cooked crêpe to a plate. Continue cooking the remaining batter, stacking the crêpes as you go. You may need to lightly grease the pan occasionally. Let the crêpes cool completely.
Prepare the Whipped Cream Filling
- In a large, chilled bowl (using a chilled bowl and beaters helps cream whip faster), combine the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer with whisk attachment), beat on medium-high speed until firm peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat, or it will turn into butter.
Assemble the Crêpe Roll Cake
- Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper on a clean work surface.
- Arrange 6-7 cooled crêpes in an overlapping rectangular shape, with each crêpe overlapping the next by about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm). The rectangle should be roughly 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) wide and 16-18 inches (40-45 cm) long, depending on your crêpe size.
- Evenly spread about two-thirds of the whipped cream over the entire crêpe rectangle, leaving a small border (about 1 inch / 2.5 cm) on all sides.
- Scatter about half of the fresh berries over the whipped cream.
- Carefully, but firmly, start rolling the crêpes from one of the shorter ends into a tight log. Use the plastic wrap or parchment paper to help you roll it tightly.
- Once rolled, wrap the log tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally 4 hours, to allow the cake to set and firm up.
Garnish and Serve
- Before serving, unwrap the crêpe roll cake and transfer it to a serving platter.
- Spread the remaining whipped cream on top of the roll cake.
- Arrange the rest of the fresh berries on top.
- Lightly dust with powdered sugar.
- Slice with a sharp knife and serve immediately.
Notes
Crêpe Thickness: The key to a good roll cake is thin crêpes. Don't be afraid to swirl the pan quickly after pouring the batter to ensure an even, thin layer.
Chilling is Key: Don't skip the chilling step! It allows the crêpes and cream to meld and the cake to firm up, making it much easier to slice neatly.
Variations: For different flavors, you can add a thin layer of fruit jam or chocolate hazelnut spread before the whipped cream. Alternatively, mix finely chopped nuts into the whipped cream for added texture or replace some milk with orange juice or a liqueur.
Storage: Store leftover cake tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Chilling is Key: Don't skip the chilling step! It allows the crêpes and cream to meld and the cake to firm up, making it much easier to slice neatly.
Variations: For different flavors, you can add a thin layer of fruit jam or chocolate hazelnut spread before the whipped cream. Alternatively, mix finely chopped nuts into the whipped cream for added texture or replace some milk with orange juice or a liqueur.
Storage: Store leftover cake tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
