Chocolate Amaretto Crêpe Cake

Last Saturday morning, while our heads were still on our pillows, my husband’s eyes popped open and he said “I’ve been meaning to tell you this.  I’ve dreamed of a cake three nights in a row, but I keep forgetting to tell you about it. It’s one of those crêpe cakes.The flavor is chocolate-amaretto, and it has a maraschino cherry on top. I think you are supposed to make it.”

I knew he wasn’t fabricating a story to coerce me into making something he was craving. I know for a fact that he’d rather eat a pickle on top of cake than a maraschino cherry.  I took this news as a sign, or maybe it was some kind of divine appointment with cake.  Whatever the case, I felt his dream should be made a reality- with one exception.  I decided to spare him the cherry.

This was my first time making 
crêpes, so I took some time researching crêpe recipes. They all seemed very simple, but it was the batter swirling technique I was worried about – and the pan.  The fancy pan.

You need a fancy crêpe pan to swirl the batter properly, right?  Well, that’s what I thought. I took a chance with my beat-up non-stick pan with the wobbly handle.  I swirled, I cooked. I didn’t lose my head.  Everything turned out fine!

I let Mr. Baird taste-test as I developed the whipped filling recipe. I wanted to make sure it matched his dream-memory.  I also made a chocolate amaretto ganache – a bit too much, it turns out – so I made truffles with the leftovers.

The resulting cake was delicious, and the many-layered texture is so divine!

So. Who can say if –or why– I was meant to make this cake.  Maybe it was to overcome my fear of crêpe-making. Maybe it was a way for my husband to purge the cake-clutter from his unconscious.  Maybe it was so I could share it with you fine people.  Who can say.  Sometimes you just have to eat cake and let the mystery be.

Edit 2/24/13: 

Please be sure to read the comments before attempting this cake. I found the crepe-making to be simpler than I expected, but others are having trouble. Some find this cake tedious and some just did not care for the cake’s flavors.  This cake consists of many layers of homemade crepes – and in the name of clarity – yes – it takes a little more time and effort to put together than a regular layer cake.

Chocolate Amaretto Crêpe Cake

Yield:  One 9-inch cake.                                                                                                   [click for printable version]

Note:  Have ready a pastry brush and a little cup of melted butter before you begin cooking the crepes. This is for brushing and the pan with butter.

Crêpes:

6 large eggs

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup cream

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup all purpose flour

1/8 tsp salt

1/4 cup confectioners sugar

  1. Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or a blender and process until well combined.  The mixture will be the consistency of heavy cream.
  2. Brush a 9 or 10 inch skillet with melted butter and place over medium heat until butter just starts to smoke.  Pour scant 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet. Swirl the batter with the pan lifted over the stove eye until the bottom is coated with a thin layer of batter.  Place pan on the stove eye and cook until the surface of the crepe loses most of its glossiness and the top is set.  At this point, most recipes will tell you to flip the crepes; mine were cooked through without flipping, so I just slid them out of the skillet and onto a plate.  
  3. Repeat process until all crepe batter is used. Allow the crepes to cool completely.

Chocolate-Amaretto Filling:

1 1/3 cups heavy whipping cream

3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

3 Tbsp granulated sugar

1 tsp. almond extract

2 Tbsp. amaretto liqueur

  1. Whip heavy cream in a large bowl on medium-high speed with a hand mixer or using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Gradually add the granulated sugar.  Mixture will begin to thicken.
  2. Gradually add in the unsweetened cocoa powder.  Add the amaretto liqueur one tablespoon at a time, and then add the almond extract.  Whip until stiff peaks form.  Set aside.

Chocolate-Amaretto Ganache:

Note: This recipe can be halved if you don’t plan to make the amaretto truffles.

9 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons Amaretto liqueur

  1. Roughly chop the chocolate and place it in a medium bowl.
  2. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over
    medium-high heat until just boiling.
  3. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and whisk until the
    chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.  Mix in the Amaretto and whisk again until smooth. Allow to cool slightly before using

Assembly:

  1. Center a crepe on a serving plate.  Using a pastry brush, very lightly coat the crepe with chocolate ganache while it is still thin (if ganache begins to set, you can gently heat it in the microwave at 20 second intervals). Thinly spread a little whipped filling over the ganache and top with another crepe. Continue brushing, spreading and stacking, ending with a crepe on top.  Set aside.
  2. When remaining chocolate ganache is of spreading consistency, use to frost the cake.  Let stand at room temperature until set.  

Note: If making entire ganache recipe, remaining amount can be chilled and rolled into truffles.  Roll truffles in cocoa powder and garnish top of cake, if desired.

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Clair
Clair
12 years ago

I have always wanted to make a crepe cake. They somehow always look so beautiful.

This looks divine!

Mary @ Bake Break
Mary @ Bake Break
12 years ago

How funny – I've been dreaming of crepe cakes too!! Although mine involve some sort of fruity curd… This looks delicious!

Caroline
Caroline
12 years ago

Wow. This looks incredible! I bet it tastes even better! Well done Heather!

Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
12 years ago

It's a work of art! I can't even imagine how long this took you to make. It's gorgeous and glad you tackled it with your non-fancy pants pan. I would resort to the same. Storage space is at a premium and I don't ever forsee owning a dedicated crepe pan. 🙂

Foodiewife
Foodiewife
12 years ago

Your husband is a lucky man. I love amaretto, so the filling sounds like something I'd love. I've never made a Crêpe Cake, though I know how to make crêpes. I bought a fancy pan, but you are right. I do just as well in my old non-stick pan. As always, this is beautiful.

Anne
Anne
12 years ago

Wow this looks amazing! The truffles look great too 🙂

Cookin' Canuck
Cookin' Canuck
12 years ago

Let's hope your husband has many more dreams about amazing desserts like this one. What a cake!

Jessica @ How Sweet
Jessica @ How Sweet
12 years ago

beyond stunning!

Corrine
Corrine
12 years ago

Delicious! I love crepe cakes, I just made a lemon curd one on the weekend. 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

The thin layers on this cake are absolutely beautiful! I love this!

Nina @ ambrosia
Nina @ ambrosia
12 years ago

Mmmmm, this looks fantastic! Crepe cakes are simply wonderful.

Heather (Heather's Dish)
Heather (Heather's Dish)
12 years ago

you were probably meant to make it so that you could photograph it and make me feel like i'm there eating it 🙂 you know, probably!

Heidi's Copper Kettle
Heidi's Copper Kettle
12 years ago

Seriously beautiful photos. I have always been fascinated by crepe cakes and your photos sealed the deal.

JMK
JMK
12 years ago

Great post! My husband is more likely to fabricate a desired treat-dream– and then I'd end up making a triple lemon cheesecake every single week.

Anyway, this treat looks fabulous. I'm planning to make it this week!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

Holy cow this looks gorgeous!

Angela @ the fairy bread chronicles
Angela @ the fairy bread chronicles
12 years ago

OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS! super amazing cake!

because it's made out of crepes, does this mean i can eat it for breakfast?

Krissy's Creations
Krissy's Creations
12 years ago

What a dream! I wish my husband dreamed about cakes and told me to make them haha :). I have had a Crepe Cake on my "must-make" list for quite some time. After seeing your, I know I've got to try it out soon!

Unknown
Unknown
12 years ago

What a fantastic lookingncake! Ive been wanting to make a crepe cake for quite some time, but theblast time I made crepes, it wasn't pretty. But I do hope to make one some day.

Iiiii
Iiiii
12 years ago

Your cake is so incredibly tidy:)!!!

Christy
Christy
12 years ago

Amazing cake. super dreamy!

Rebecca
Rebecca
12 years ago

I've been wanting to make a crepe cake for a while now. I bet the texture is amazing. I wish I had dreams about recipes. Maybe someday.

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
12 years ago

Perfect looking! That cake is absolutely stunning. Something I've been meaning to make since years… ;-P

Cheers,

Rosa

Helena
Helena
12 years ago

Espectacular!! con esta tarta sorprendes a todos, me lo apuntaré para hacerla algún día.
Besos! 😉
Por cierto, me encanta tu blog!

Ragne
Ragne
12 years ago

Oh, this cake seems to be like a piece of heaven. I am sure it also tastes good – a cake for a pancake and chocolate addicts:)?

Tenille @ My Family Table
Tenille @ My Family Table
12 years ago

Wow. Just wow.

This is an amazing looking cake; very impressive. I love the simple styling of your images too.

Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
12 years ago

I've always wanted to make a crepe cake and yours is fabulous!

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

This is so beautiful and GENIUS. You could substitute chocolate for other flavors, (in my mind, why in the world would you) or halve the recipe to make a little crepe cake! I love it.

Irmina Díaz-Frois Martín
Irmina Díaz-Frois Martín
12 years ago

Puro vicio… me gusta.

Maureen
Maureen
12 years ago

I've seen photos of a crepe cake but I've never tasted one. What vivid dreams that man has!

Lora
Lora
12 years ago

Aww I think it's so cute how your hubby tried to manipulate you into making him a cake. You've inspired me to conquer the crepe cake in the near future. This is just beautiful. Love the truffles as well.

Elizabeth @ Chronic Venture
Elizabeth @ Chronic Venture
12 years ago

that looks absolutely amazing

Megan
Megan
12 years ago

Oh man! Crepe cakes are my dream cake. I have yet to make/eat one, but maybe now I'll finally do both. It's just the prettiest!

Susie Jane
Susie Jane
12 years ago

That Mr. Baird is a real dreamy guy…..oh, and the cake is dreamy too.

brandi
brandi
12 years ago

if all the desserts i dreamed of turned out looking like this, I would bake more often 🙂

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

I think you were supposed to make this for me! I've been longing to make a crepe cake for my upcoming birthday, looked up some not-so-glamorous recipes, and after temporarily postponing my search I decided to take a look at one of my fave food blogs just to see what was recent. 🙂 And the very first thing I see? The most incredible-looking crepe cake, begging to be made……

Paula
Paula
12 years ago

I've never made a crepe cake! I love that you made such a beautiful one without the *fancy* crepe pan. I think it's neat that your husband dreamt about this cake and you made it a reality for him.

Bake-A-Holic
Bake-A-Holic
12 years ago

I've had a red velvet crepe cake before and it was really good. The slices are so pretty with all those layers! Gorgeous gorgeous!

Magda
Magda
12 years ago

I have told you this before, but you make the most incredible cakes I have ever seen.
I love crepes but I'm not sure I'm going to try this one. Looks intimidating!

Mary
Mary
12 years ago

My husband swears by his cast-iron skillet for crepes.
This looks fantastic. Maybe next cherry season, you could cook up fresh cherries in simple syrup and use that in lieu of maraschino… to get the full dream effect of course. 😉

Dana
Dana
12 years ago

So pretty! It looks kind of like vinarterta.

Cindy
Cindy
12 years ago

I love those truffles up top! I've been wanting to make a crepe cake, but I just end up eating all the crepes before I can stack them. This is so, so lovely…way to be!

Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
12 years ago

I'll be patiently waiting for my slice, fork in hand. 🙂

SamCyn
SamCyn
12 years ago

This would make such a lovely treat for my husband (and me of course ;))!

Tesei
Tesei
12 years ago

WOW! Lovely, elegant, simple and delicious no doubt. Congratulations for another great creation!

Gloria
Gloria
12 years ago

I would like to personally thank "HH" (Heather's Hubby), aka: Mr. Baird. I have never even HEARD of a "crepe cake" and oh my word… this looks to die for. He has some great dreams, I'll tell you that!! I hope I get the gumption to one day try this, it looks so good. You tell HH for me that he is one lucky man to have his wife makes his dreams come true. 😉
Best,
Gloria

chloe
chloe
12 years ago

That. Looks. AWESOME! My dad has a recipe for crepes and I always have a craving for them. I've never heard of a crepe cake until now, but it looks pretty good!

Jem Jems Food Blog
Jem Jems Food Blog
12 years ago

Wow truly this looks so impressive I will have to attempt to make this. I love your blog and I check it every day. You are an amazing cook who is very inspirational. Keep up the wonderful work. You are well loved by your fellow food lovers and bloggers. Sending love from Canberra Australia.
Love Jem

Mercedes
Mercedes
12 years ago

Simply amazing and so elegant! I love to make crepes but have never seen a cake made with them before!

JJ @ 84thand3rd
JJ @ 84thand3rd
12 years ago

This cake is beautiful! Now I've craving amaretto and chocolate too!

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

Seriously? I want to eat my computer screen right now. Yum!!