There’s just something magical about turning crepes into whimsical holiday treats, and this Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe truly brings that festive spirit to the table. The light, delicate crepes combined with that cozy, spiced whipped cream make every bite feel like a celebration.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe is a holiday crowd-pleaser and a joy to make. I love how it takes a simple breakfast classic—crepes—and elevates it with festive charm and cozy gingerbread flavors. Plus, it’s fun to assemble and impresses just about everyone at the table.
- Visual Delight: The folded crepes layered like Christmas trees bring fun and festive vibes to your brunch or dessert spread.
- Flavor Harmony: The gingerbread spiced whipped cream perfectly balances warm spices with creamy sweetness, enhancing the mild crepes beautifully.
- Easy to Customize: Whether you prefer classic Nutella, fresh berries, or jam, this recipe adapts effortlessly to what you have on hand.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare parts in advance, making holiday mornings less hectic but just as special.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients here come together to create crepes that are tender yet sturdy enough for folding, paired with a whipped cream that’s rich, flavorful, and full of holiday spice. Quality vanilla and fresh cream always make a difference, so shop smart!
- All-purpose flour: The backbone for tender, elastic crepes that fold without tearing.
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness, helping the crepes cook up thin and pliable.
- Milk and water: The combination thins the batter perfectly for that delicate texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance flavor.
- Sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness to the crepe batter that's not overpowering.
- Salted butter (melted): Infuses subtle richness and keeps the crepes from sticking.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warm aroma and depth.
- Almond extract (optional): Gives a lovely nutty backdrop if you’re a fan.
- Heavy whipping cream: The base for the whipped cream—make sure it’s cold for best results.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens without the graininess of granulated sugar, perfect for smooth whipped cream.
- Gingerbread spice: The star addition that wraps the whipped cream in cozy holiday warmth. You can make your own or use a blend.
Make It Your Way
I often like to switch up fillings depending on what we have around. The gingerbread spiced whipped cream is my go-to for that festive feel, but please make this recipe your own and experiment with flavors you love—you’ll find it’s pretty forgiving!
- Variation: Once, I swapped Nutella for almond butter and fresh figs—it was a surprising but delicious twist that friends still ask me to repeat!
- Dietary Modifications: You can swap the all-purpose flour for gluten-free to suit gluten-sensitive guests, though the texture may be a bit different.
- Seasonal Changes: For a summer twist, replace the gingerbread spice whipped cream with lemon zest whipped cream and fresh berries.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe
Step 1: Whisk and Blend for a Smooth Batter
Start by whisking the flour and eggs together in a large bowl. It will look like a thick dough at first—that's normal! Gradually add the milk and water in small amounts, whisking thoroughly after each addition to avoid lumps. Taking your time here pays off, and you’ll be rewarded with a silky-smooth batter that spreads easily.
Step 2: Add Flavor & Melted Butter
Once your batter is lump-free, stir in the salt, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and almond extract (if using). This adds layers of flavor and fats that make your crepes tender and fragrant.
Step 3: Cook Your Crepes Perfectly Thin
Heat a non-stick crepe pan or skillet over medium-high heat and lightly oil it. Pour about ¼ cup of batter, swirling the pan immediately to coat the bottom with a thin, even layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the underside is just golden and the top surface loses its shine, then flip carefully and cook for another minute. Repeat until the batter is all used.
Step 4: Whip the Gingerbread Spiced Cream
While your crepes cool slightly, beat cold heavy cream in a chilled bowl until soft peaks start forming. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and the gingerbread spice mix, then whip just until combined. Refrigerate until you’re ready to assemble.
Step 5: Assemble Your Christmas Tree Crepes
Drizzle each crepe with Nutella if you like, then fold in half and once more into quarters creating a quarter circle shape. Arrange these on a plate in a layered, offset pattern to resemble a Christmas tree. Lift the top flap of each fold gently and spoon in some of that luscious gingerbread spiced whipped cream. Top with fresh raspberries and blueberries, and if you want, dust with powdered sugar for a snowy touch.
Top Tip
This recipe has become a holiday tradition in my kitchen because the combination of delicate crepes and warm-spiced whipped cream is irresistible. Here are some tips I’ve learned that make all the difference:
- Batter Rest: Letting the batter rest for about 15-30 minutes helps the flour fully hydrate, making it easier to spread and improving texture.
- Pan Temperature: Too hot, and the crepes will burn before cooking through; too low, and they won’t brown nicely. Medium heat is your best friend here.
- Whip Peaks: Stop whipping your cream at medium peaks to avoid turning it into butter and keep it light and fluffy.
- Folding Gently: When folding the crepes, handle them softly to prevent tearing—think of them like delicate silk scarves.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe
Garnishes
I like to pile on fresh raspberries and blueberries for pops of color and a slight tartness that complements the sweet whipped cream. Sometimes I sprinkle powdered sugar over everything—the look of freshly fallen snow is just irresistible and so festive. If you have crushed peppermint or toasted chopped nuts, those are fun, crunchy options too.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside piping hot mulled cider or a rich cup of coffee to round out the experience. A side of roasted chestnuts or a light fruit salad helps balance the richness and keeps things fresh on the palate.
Creative Ways to Present
For extra wow-factor, arrange the folded crepes on a wooden serving board shaped like a Christmas tree and thread some fairy lights around it—perfect for holiday brunches. You can also stack small versions for individual “trees” on each plate, garnished with mint leaves as tiny pine needles and little sugar star sprinkles as tree toppers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover crepes, stack them with parchment paper between each layer and wrap tightly in plastic wrap—store in the fridge for up to 2 days. The whipped cream is best freshly made, but you can keep it chilled and briefly re-whip if it starts to soften.
Freezing
I’ve frozen crepes before—just separate with parchment paper and freeze in a zipper bag. When you want to enjoy them, thaw gently in the fridge overnight and warm in a pan or microwave. Whipped cream doesn’t freeze well, so always prepare fresh.
Reheating
Warm crepes gently in a non-stick skillet over low heat or in the microwave for about 15 seconds. This keeps them pliable and prevents drying out. Add your gingerbread spiced whipped cream and toppings just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! I usually mix a larger batch of the gingerbread spice (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cloves) and keep it in an airtight jar for months. It’s great to have on hand for other winter recipes too.
Make sure your crepes are thin but not too dry. Warm crepes fold better, so assembling soon after cooking helps. Handle them gently and fold slowly to avoid ripping the delicate layers.
While this recipe is designed for sweet crepes, the batter is fairly neutral. If you omit the sugar and almond extract, it would work well for savory fillings too.
Use cold heavy cream and a cold bowl, whip on medium-high speed and stop once medium peaks form to avoid over-whipping. Gently fold in powdered sugar and spices instead of whipping too vigorously after adding them.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe enough for your holiday celebrations. It’s a recipe that brings smiles, warmth, and a little touch of whimsy to the table—exactly what the season calls for. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do!
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Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the festive flavors of Christmas Tree Crepes topped with a luscious gingerbread spice whipped cream. These tender sweet crepes are filled and garnished with seasonal spices, fresh berries, and optional Nutella for a fun and elegant holiday breakfast or brunch treat.
Ingredients
Sweet Crêpes
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon gingerbread spice
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and eggs until mostly combined. Gradually add the milk and water, about ¼ cup at a time, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth, lump-free batter. Stir in salt, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Cook the crêpes: Heat a lightly oiled crêpe pan or medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour ¼ cup of batter and swirl to cover the pan in a thin layer. Cook for 2 minutes until the bottom starts to brown and the top turns matte, then flip and cook for 1 more minute. Transfer to a plate and repeat until all batter is used.
- Make the whipped cream: In a medium bowl, beat heavy whipping cream on high speed until medium peaks form. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and gingerbread spice. Mix just until incorporated. Chill until ready to serve.
- Assemble the Christmas trees: Drizzle each crêpe with Nutella if desired, fold in half, then in quarters to form quarter circles. Layer them slightly offset on a plate. Gently lift the top flap of each crêpe and spoon gingerbread spiced whipped cream inside. Top with raspberries and blueberries, dust with powdered sugar, and serve.
- Serving suggestions: Alternatively, serve the crêpes hot with Nutella, fresh sliced bananas, strawberries, raspberries, jams, or apple pie filling alongside sweetened whipped cream or gingerbread spiced whipped cream.
Notes
- To make homemade gingerbread spice, combine 2 tablespoons cinnamon, 2 tablespoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground allspice, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves. Store airtight for up to 1 year.
- If making gingerbread spice just for this recipe, use about ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon allspice, a pinch of nutmeg, and a smidgen of ground cloves.
- Use a nonstick pan or well-seasoned crêpe pan for best results when cooking crêpes.
- Do not overmix the whipped cream to prevent it from turning grainy or turning into butter.
- Nutella is optional but adds a rich, chocolate-hazelnut flavor to the folded crêpes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
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