Crepes are a staple of French cuisine, and it’s no surprise why they’re so beloved. Their thin, delicate texture makes them the perfect vehicle for both sweet and savory fillings – and today we’re going with something sweet.
The cream cheese filling is an irresistible option for those who love a decadent breakfast treat that’s easy enough to whip up in under 30 minutes.
Making crepes may seem intimidating at first but trust me, it’s easier than you think! With just a few simple ingredients (and maybe some practice), you can make your very own authentic French crepes from scratch.
So put on some Edith Piaf, grab a whisk, and let’s get cooking! In this blog post, we’ll show you how to make mouth-watering crepes with cream cheese filling – complete with step-by-step instructions so that even if you’ve never made these before – you’ll be able to impress your friends and family like a true Parisian chef.
What Is A Crepe Cream?
What is a crepe cream, you ask? Well, it’s simply a delicious filling made with cream cheese that goes perfectly inside your homemade crepes. The creamy and slightly tangy flavor of the cream cheese pairs well with sweet toppings like strawberries or chocolate sauce.
To make the perfect crepe cream cheese filling, you’ll need some basic ingredients like softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream. You can also add a little lemon juice for some extra zing!
Using an electric mixer on medium speed, combine all the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Be sure not to overmix as this will cause the mixture to become too thin. Once ready, transfer the mixture into a bowl and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
This crepe cream cheese filling recipe is perfect for breakfast or as a dessert! You can even switch up the flavors by adding pumpkin puree instead of vanilla extract for fall-inspired Crepes or using greek yogurt instead of heavy whipping cream for a healthier option.
Now that you know how to make this delicious filling yourself at home- go ahead and try my favorite way of serving these bad boys – topped with fresh berries and drizzled with maple syrup! Trust me; they are absolutely divine!
What You Will Need
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need to make these delicious crepes with cream cheese filling.
For the Crepes:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Milk
- Eggs
- Butter
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- Cream Cheese
- Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Heavy Whipping Cream
Optional additional ingredients for variations and toppings:
- Chocolate Sauce
- Fresh Strawberries or other berries
- Maple Syrup
- Lemon Juice
Most of these ingredients are likely already in your pantry or fridge. If not, they can easily be found at your local grocery store. Using fresh ingredients will give you the best flavor and texture, but if you’re in a pinch, frozen fruit or yogurt can also work well as toppings.
Make sure to have all of these ingredients ready before starting so that your crepe-making process goes smoothly without any unnecessary interruptions. Now let’s get started!
For The Crepes
Making the perfect crepes requires a delicate balance of ingredients and technique. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for the crepes:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
To make the batter, combine all of these ingredients together in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to allow any lumps to dissolve.
Now, let’s cook our crepes on a skillet over medium heat. Add some butter to your skillet or use cooking spray to prevent sticking. Pour about a quarter-cup of batter onto the hot skillet, swirling it around until it covers the bottom evenly.
Cook each side until lightly golden brown (about one minute per side). Flip using a spatula or by flipping it with your wrist if you’re feeling adventurous!
Once they’re done, set them aside while we prepare our delicious cream cheese filling.
For The Cream Cheese Filling
For the Cream Cheese Filling, you will need the following ingredients:
- 8 ounces of cream cheese
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth using an electric mixer. Add in the vanilla extract and mix well.
In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until it forms stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined.
Now your Cream Cheese Filling is ready to spread onto your delicious crepes! This filling is versatile and can also be used for other desserts or pastries such as cakes or cupcakes. If you have any leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
How To Make The Crepes
Making crepes may seem intimidating at first, but trust me, it’s actually quite easy! Here’s how to make perfect crepes for your cream cheese filling:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and eggs.
- Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring constantly.
- Add in the salt and melted butter, mixing until smooth.
- Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium heat.
- Using a ladle or measuring cup, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet and swirl it around until it covers the entire bottom of the pan.
- Cook for about two minutes or until slightly browned on one side, then flip over and cook for another minute or until browned on both sides.
- Repeat with the remaining batter.
Tip: If you’re not using all of your crepes right away, store them in an airtight container in the fridge overnight and reheat before serving.
Now that your crepes are ready to go, let’s move on to making that delicious cream cheese filling!
How To Make The Cream Cheese Filling
Making the cream cheese filling for your crepes is super easy and adds a delicious touch to this classic French dish. Here’s how you do it:
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions:
- Using a mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated.
Your creamy and dreamy filling is now ready to be served with your freshly made crepes! You can also get creative with your fillings by adding some fruit or chocolate sauce on top of the cream cheese filling before folding over your crepes.
Pro tip: If you have any leftover filling, store it in an airtight container in the fridge overnight for later use. It makes for a great spread on toast or bagels as well!
How To Assemble The Crepes
Now that you have your crepes and cream cheese filling ready, it’s time to assemble them! Here’s how:
- Lay a crepe flat on a plate or serving dish.
- Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture onto the center of the crepe.
- Fold one side of the crepe over the filling, then fold in both ends to make a rectangular packet.
- Repeat with remaining crepes and filling.
If desired, you can top your finished crepes with some fresh fruit such as strawberries or blueberries, powdered sugar, maple syrup, or chocolate sauce for an added touch of sweetness.
These delicious French treats are perfect for breakfast or dessert and are sure to impress your friends and family. Serve them warm and enjoy!
Pro tip: If you’re not serving your crepes immediately after making them, store them in the fridge overnight in an airtight container so they stay fresh until serving time.
Final Tips
Congratulations, you’ve made delicious French crepes with cream cheese filling! Here are some final tips to perfect your recipe:
- To make the crepes more sweet, add a little bit of sugar to the batter or sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving.
- For a fruity twist, mix in fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries into the cream cheese filling.
- Experiment with different sauces and toppings such as chocolate sauce, maple syrup, or yogurt.
- If using pumpkin puree for your filling, add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg for that perfect fall flavor.
- Don’t worry if your first few crepes don’t turn out perfectly round. With practice and patience, you’ll soon be flipping them like a pro!
- Store any leftover batter in an airtight container in the fridge overnight. Before cooking again, give it a quick whisk to combine all ingredients together.
Now that you have these tips and tricks under your belt, serve up these delicious crepes filled with creamy goodness at breakfast or dessert time. Bon appétit!
Variations
One of the great things about crepes is their versatility. While the cream cheese filling is a classic choice, there are endless variations you can try to mix it up. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Chocolate: Add cocoa powder or melted chocolate to the cream cheese mixture for a rich and decadent filling.
- Fruit: Mix fresh berries or fruit into the cream cheese mixture for a sweet and tangy twist.
- Lemon: Add lemon juice and zest to the cream cheese filling for a bright and refreshing flavor.
- Maple: Swap out some of the sugar in the recipe with maple syrup for a delicious fall-inspired variation.
- Pumpkin: Mix pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into your cream cheese filling for a seasonal treat.
Of course, these are just suggestions – feel free to get creative and come up with your own favorite flavors! Keep in mind that certain fillings may work better than others depending on how you plan on serving your crepes.
For example, if you’re making them as part of a dessert spread, chocolate or fruit fillings might be more appropriate.
If they’re part of a savory breakfast or brunch menu, consider adding some herbs or cheeses like feta instead.
No matter what variation you choose, remember that crepes are all about having fun and experimenting!
Storage
Once you have made your delicious crepes with cream cheese filling, you may be wondering how to store them properly. Here are some tips on how to store your crepes:
- If you plan to serve the crepes within a few hours, you can simply cover them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them at room temperature.
- If you need to keep the crepes for longer than a few hours, it’s best to refrigerate them. Place the stacked crepes in an airtight container or ziplock bag and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- You can also freeze the filled or unfilled crepes by placing layers of wax paper between each one in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will last up to 1 month in the freezer.
When reheating your stored crepes, gently heat them in a skillet over medium heat until they are warm throughout. Then serve with your favorite garnishes like fresh fruit, whipped cream or maple syrup!
Conclusion
In conclusion, making crepes with cream cheese filling is a delicious and easy way to impress your friends and family. With just a few ingredients, you can make the perfect breakfast or dessert that everyone will love.
Remember to start by preparing your crepe batter and cooking it in a skillet until golden brown. Then whip up your cream cheese filling mixture, which can be customized with vanilla extract or other flavors like chocolate or pumpkin.
After spreading the cream cheese filling onto each crepe, you can add fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries for added sweetness. Top it off with some whipped cream, maple syrup, or powdered sugar for a truly decadent treat!
If you have any leftover crepes (which is unlikely!), they can be stored in the fridge overnight and reheated before serving. Don’t forget to experiment with different variations like using greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for a healthier twist.
In no time at all, you’ll have a plate full of delicious crepes that are sure to become one of your favorite go-to recipes!
