Recipes

Tiramisu Crêpe Cake

This take on tiramisu is made with layers of crêpes and a rich espresso mascarpone filling to create an eye-catching brunch item or dessert that will wow any crowd.

Serves:
12
Prep Time:
15 min
Wait Time:
3 hours
Cook Time:
25 min

Ingredients

Crêpes

  • 3 cups ( 750 mL ) milk, at room temperature
  • 2 1/4 cups ( 565 mL ) all-purpose flour
  • 6 eggs, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup ( 60 mL ) butter, melted
  • ¼ tsp ( 1.25 mL ) salt
  • 2 tbsp ( 30 mL ) canola oil

Filling

  • 3 egg yolks
  • 2 tbsp ( 30 mL ) granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp ( 30 mL ) strongly brewed espresso
  • ¼ cup ( 60 mL ) 35% whipping cream
  • ¼ cup ( 60 mL ) icing sugar
  • ¼ tsp ( 1.25 mL ) ground cinnamon
  • 1 tub mascarpone cheese (450 g)

Assembly

  • ¼ cup ( 60 mL ) strongly brewed espresso, cold
  • 2 tbsp ( 30 mL ) coffee liqueur
  • 1 tbsp ( 15 mL ) cocoa powder

Instructions

Crêpes

  1. In blender, combine milk, flour, eggs, melted butter and salt; mix until smooth. Strain and let stand for at least 30 minutes (batter should be consistency of thick cream; thin with a little water if needed).
  2. Heat 10-inch (25 cm) nonstick skillet set over medium heat; brush with some of the oil. Pour ⅓ cup (75 mL) batter into pan, swirling to coat bottom of pan. Cook for 60 to 90 seconds or until crêpe begins to curl around edges; flip and cook for 30 seconds or until set. Repeat with remaining batter, brushing pan with oil as needed. Transfer to parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Let cool completely.

Filling

  1. In heatproof bowl set over saucepan of gently simmering water, whisk together egg yolks, sugar and espresso for about 5 minutes or until hot, thick and consistency of soft pudding. Mixture should form ribbons when whisk is lifted (do not overcook or mixture will curdle). Remove from heat; let cool completely.
  2. Using electric mixer, whip cream until stiff peaks form; beat in icing sugar and cinnamon. In large bowl, whip mascarpone until light and fluffy; fold in egg yolk mixture. Fold in half of the whipped cream, then remaining whipped cream. Cover and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes.

Assembly

  1. Stir espresso with coffee liqueur. Place one crêpe on serving plate; spread with 2 tbsp (30 mL) filling. Brush lightly with some of the espresso mixture. Repeat with remaining crêpes to make stack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. To serve, dust with cocoa and slice into wedges.

Notes

Tips:

• Substitute espresso and 1 tbsp (15 mL) sugar for coffee liqueur if desired.

• Garnish with chocolate-covered espresso beans if desired.

• Crêpes can be made 2 to 3 days in advance.