Strawberry Crepes

Look no further than Strawberry Crepes for the star dish of your next special breakfast or brunch. With tender crepes, a creamy mascarpone enriched whipped cream filling, and a strawberry compote that’s somehow even more delicious than the fruit itself, they bring the elegance of a French bistro right to your table.

Serving these crepes always makes breakfast or brunch feel extravagant, even though they’re surprisingly easy to make—just 40 minutes of active time. And you can prepare all the components up to 2 days ahead of time. They’re a favorite of ours for weekend treats and really shine on special occasions like Mother’s Day, birthdays, and Easter. They draw everyone together in a way that silently says ‘you’re special’ to everyone around the table.

Ingredients You Need to Make Strawberry Crepes

For The Crepes:

• Eggs: Fresh, ideally free-range or pasture-raised, are best for flavor.
• Milk: Full-fat milk brings creamy texture and depth.
• Water: Filtered, if tap water has any noticeable taste.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract for authentic and rich flavor.
• Butter: Choose butter with a high-fat content for richer crepes.
• Flour: Use plain, fresh all-purpose flour for a smoother, more consistent texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Fine, pure cane sugar works best for a smooth sweetness.
• Kosher Salt: Use kosher salt for its clean flavor and the ability to control seasoning more precisely.
• Avocado Oil: A high-smoke-point, neutral oil works best for cooking at higher temperatures without burning or adding unwanted flavors.

To Make Strawberry Compote:

• Fresh Strawberries: Look for bright, ripe berries that are firm and fragrant.
• Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is best for its natural sweetness and flavor complexity.
• Fine Sea Salt: Look for fine sea salt that is pure and unrefined, without added anti-caking agents or iodine, for the best natural flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances strawberries’ sweetness and adds depth.

To Make The Whipped Cream:

• Heavy Cream: Choose cream with a high fat content (at least 36%) for a richer, more stable whipped cream.
• Mascarpone Cheese: A quality brand of fresh and creamy mascarpone is key for a luxurious whipped cream texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Use fine, sifted powdered sugar for a smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle, aromatic flavor complementing the creaminess.

Recipe Tips

• Chill the Batter: For best results, let the crepe batter chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before cooking. This step helps the flour to fully hydrate and the batter to thicken, resulting in smoother, more consistent crepes.
• Use a Non-Stick Pan: A non-stick skillet or crepe pan will make flipping the crepes easier and help ensure they don’t tear.
• Keep the Pan at the Right Temperature: Be sure to preheat your pan properly over medium heat before pouring in the batter. If it’s too hot, the crepes will cook too quickly and may become crispy rather than soft.
• Spread the Batter Quickly: After pouring the batter into the pan, quickly tilt and swirl the pan to spread the batter evenly. This helps ensure thin, delicate crepes.
• Prepare Components in Advance: The strawberry compote and whipped cream can both be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. This makes assembling the crepes a breeze when you’re ready to serve.
• Serve Freshly Assembled: Although the individual components can be prepared ahead of time, it’s best to enjoy the crepes shortly after assembling them with the cream and compote for the freshest taste and texture.
• Experiment with Folding: Crepes can be folded in quarters for a traditional presentation or rolled for a more casual look. Try both methods to see which you prefer.
• Garnish for Extra Flair: A dusting of powdered sugar, a few slices of fresh strawberries add a beautiful finishing touch to your dish.

Recipe Options

• Swap the Berries: Can’t find ripe strawberries or looking for variety? Use raspberries, blueberries, or a mix of your favorite berries for the compote.
• Alternative Sweeteners: Replace granulated sugar in the crepes and maple syrup in the compote with honey, agave nectar, or your sweetener of choice for a different flavor profile.
• Add Citrus Zest: Brighten the flavor of the whipped cream or compote by adding a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest.
• Chocolate Drizzle: For a decadent touch, drizzle melted chocolate over the assembled crepes before serving.
• Fresh Mint Garnish: Add a refreshing touch by garnishing the finished crepes with fresh mint leaves
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted, sliced almonds or chopped hazelnuts over the crepes for added texture and flavor.

Make Ahead Options and Storage

Refrigerate unused crepe batter for up to 2 days (I make this batter often to make easy Breakfast Crepes on the weekends). Keep the homemade strawberry compote in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and the Stabilized Whipped Cream Frosting for up to 2 days. Enjoy assembled crepes right away.

More Delicious French Desserts

• Peach Clafoutis
• Blueberry Clafoutis
• Easy Crepe Cake Recipe
• French Chouquette Recipe

How to Make Strawberry Crepes

Blend eggs, milk, water, vanilla, melted butter, flour, sugar, and salt until smooth, then chill the crepe batter.

For the strawberry compote, cook strawberries, maple syrup, and salt over medium heat until the mixture thickens, then remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and set aside to cool.

Heat a skillet, brush with oil, and pour batter to form thin crepes, cooking until golden before flipping, then let them cool on a plate.

Whip heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

Assemble crepes with a layer of whipped cream, top with compote, roll or fold, and garnish with extra whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and a dusting of powdered sugar to serve.