This Crepe Cake, filled with Rose Water-Vanilla Diplomat cream, has been sponsored by Nielsen-Massey Fine Vanillas and Flavors. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
The aroma of fresh roses is one that instantly evokes feelings of romance, elegance, and femininity. Did you know that you can cook with floral flavors? Widely used in Persian recipes and popping up with increasing prominence in an array of cuisines, Rose Water is a unique and easy way to infuse dishes with the delicate scent of rose petals.
I’ve partnered with Nielsen-Massey to combine two of my favorite “on-trend” culinary concepts: Crepe Cakes and Rose Water. This beautiful rose and vanilla-infused French layer cake is an elegant dessert that makes a show-stopping presentation. It has “I love you” written all over it!
About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas and Flavors
I first discovered Nielsen-Massey about 15 years ago. I’d been watching one of my favorite cooking programs, when the chef picked up a bottle of vanilla extract that looked quite different from the brand I’d always stocked in my pantry. I was intrigued!
A little bit of Googling led me to Nielsen-Massey’s Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract. When I purchased my first bottle, I loved everything about it; the elegance of the label, the sweet aroma of the vanilla, and the warm, rounded flavor it added to my recipes. I’ve used Nielsen-Massey’s extracts and flavors exclusively in my kitchen ever since.
Nielsen-Massey is a family-owned company with exacting standards and an unparalleled commitment to quality. All of their products are all-natural, GMO-free, certified gluten-free, Kosher certified, and allergen free, made with premium ingredients sourced from around the world. Their production philosophy centers on preserving ingredients’ natural flavors and aromas to produce the purest, best-tasting extracts.
Nielsen-Massey’s product line includes five different varieties of vanilla, ranging from all-purpose to exotics, as well as whole vanilla beans, pastes, powders, and sugars. In addition to their vanillas, Nielsen-Massey produces eight premium flavors and extracts. My favorites are their Orange and Pure Almond extracts (the latter made with bitter almond oil derived from stone fruit pits), and the Rose Water that I used in today’s crepe cake.
What is Rose Water?
Rose Water is made through a steam distillation process of rose petals. Its sweet, fragrant floral essence is wonderful with fruit, pastries, and even mild cheeses. I absolutely love Rose Water paired with anything creamy, such as Chantilly cream, custard, and rice pudding.
Nielsen-Massey’s Rose Water is lusciously fragrant, and you only need a small amount to infuse your recipes. It’s also a fantastic addition to a chic bar cart. Try adding a few drops to your favorite cocktails for a unique sip!
How to Make Crepe Cake
Crepe Cake (“Gâteau Mille Crêpes”) is a French layer cake composed of crepes and cream. While its name translates to “a thousand crepes,” there aren’t quite that many layers in a crepe cake. (Imagine what a staggering cake that would be!)
You can make a Mille Crepe with as many layers as you dare, but most include about 20 crepes. (Have you made a tall crepe cake? Let me know how high you’ve gone!) Each crepe is spread with pastry cream, whipped cream, or a combination of the two known as Diplomat cream.
For this recipe, I used Nielsen-Massey’s Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract to make a batch of lightly-sweetened crepes. For the filling, I made a Rose Water and Vanilla Bean pastry cream (using Nielsen-Massey’s rose water and vanilla bean paste), and lightened it with pillowy whipped cream.
Topped with Rose Water-Vanilla flavored whipped cream, fresh raspberries, pistachios, and sugared rose petals, this beautiful cake would be perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or adorning any spring dessert table.
For more recipe inspiration and to learn more about Nielsen-Massey’s premium extracts and flavors, follow them on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), or visit their website at www.nielsenmassey.com.
📖 Recipe
Crepe Cake with Rose Water Cream
Ingredients
Crepes
- 4 large eggs , room temperature (216g)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 g)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (25 g)
- 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract (5 mL)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (2.2 g)
- 2-½ cups whole milk (600 mL)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter , melted and cooled (14.2 g), plus additional for greasing crepe pan
Diplomat Cream
- 2 cups half and half (480 mL)
- ⅔ cups granulated sugar , divided (130 g)
- pinch kosher salt (0.2 g)
- 5 large egg yolks (88.3 g)
- ¼ cup cornstarch (30 g)
- 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste (5 mL)
- 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Rose Water (5 mL)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , room temperature (56.8 g)
- 1-½ cups heavy cream (360 mL)
To Serve
- ½ cup heavy cream (120 mL)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (12.5 g)
- ⅛ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Rose Water (0.625 mL)
- ¼ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract (1.25 mL)
- ½ cup raspberries (65 g)
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped unsalted pistachios (17 g)
- edible rose petals , for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Make the Crepes
- Place all crepe ingredients in a blender and mix on low speed until incorporated. Stop the blender once or twice to scrape down the sides and to make sure there are no flour pockets. Crepe batter should have the consistency of heavy cream.
- Let the batter stand at room temperature for 15 minutes, or cover and refrigerate no longer than overnight. Stir the batter before using.
- Heat a 9-½-inch nonstick skillet or crepe pan on the stove over medium heat and lightly brush with vegetable oil or melted butter. Pour ¼ cup batter into the skillet and swirl the pan until the batter covers the bottom. Crepes will be very thin (about 1/16-inch).
- Cook until lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes. Loosen edges and flip with a thin spatula or crepe turner. Cook on the second side until light golden marks appear.
- Remove crepe from pan and repeat with remaining batter, greasing the pan as needed. (Makes about 20 crepes.)
Make the Diplomat Cream
- Combine half and half, ⅓ cup sugar, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat until bubbles form around the edges and wisps of steam rise from the pot. Remove from heat.
- While half and half mixture is heating, whisk together egg yolks, remaining ⅓ cup sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl until combined and a light yellow color.
- Temper the egg mixture by slowly pouring in about half of the heated liquid, whisking constantly. Whisk tempered egg mixture back into the remaining liquid. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until thick and smooth.
- Remove from heat and pass pastry cream through a mesh strainer into a bowl. Discard any small egg solids in the strainer.
- Whisk in vanilla bean paste, rosewater, and butter until smooth. Cover pastry cream with a piece of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until well chilled.
- When ready to assemble the crepe cake, whip 1-½ cups heavy cream until peaks form. Stir about ⅓ of the whipped cream into the chilled pastry cream to lighten it. Gently fold in the remaining whipped cream.
Assemble and Serve
- Place 1 crepe on a cake plate or stand. Spread with ⅓ cup Diplomat cream, leaving about a ½-inch border. Continue layering crepes and Diplomat cream until all are used, ending with a crepe.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
- Whip ½ cup cream with granulated sugar and extracts until peaks form. Top crepe cake with whipped cream and decorate with raspberries, and edible rose petals (if using). Sprinkle with chopped pistachios. Slice into wedges and serve.
Veronika says
OMG!!! That looks gorgeous!!! I need to buy rose water and make this beauty immediately ;)
Tamara Andersen says
I love crepes, and haven’t made them in years! Your rose water crepe cake is gorgeous, and has me wanting to get my crepe maker down ;-) I do have rose water in my pantry…
Marisa Franca says
What a gorgeous cake!! It’s certainly a show stopper. I haven’t baked with floral essences but I’d love to. Rose and lavender are top of my list. I’ll have to check into Nielsen-Massey and see what they have available. Thank you for the heads up and I’d love to sample your cake.
Nicoletta says
This cake is a stunner! Looks absolutely dreamy and so delicious. I love Nielsen-Massey! I have the orange blossom water :-) .
Miranda says
What a gorgeous cake and I love that you used rose water! I’ve been wanting to make a crepe cake for SO long! I totally feel out of the loop though. I love Nielsen-Massey and I had no idea that they sold rose water. Where have I been? I’ll be picking that up asap!