There’s something magical about holiday mornings, especially when you’re serving up a warm batch of Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Whipped Cream Recipe. The delicate crepes folded into charming tree shapes paired with cozy gingerbread-spiced cream—it's a festive feast that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day.
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 Whipped Cream Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Whipped Cream Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Whipped Cream Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Whipped Cream Recipe is one of those dishes I make every holiday season because it’s not only beautiful but surprisingly simple. I love how it effortlessly combines festive flavors without requiring all day in the kitchen.
- Elegant Presentation: Crepes folded into Christmas tree shapes make an impressive, fun centerpiece that’s sure to wow your guests—kids included!
- Cozy, Seasonal Flavor: The gingerbread whipped cream adds that warm holiday spice touch, perfect for creating that seasonal vibe.
- Versatile Toppings: Whether you want berries, Nutella, or a dusting of powdered sugar, you can customize it to your mood or crowd.
- Quick to Make: From batter to plate in just about 30 minutes, so you can enjoy festive time with your loved ones instead of slaving over breakfast.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients here pair beautifully to give you light, tender crepes with a subtle vanilla and almond aroma, enhanced by the warm, spicy gingerbread whipped cream. Using real butter in the batter and fresh cream makes a noticeable difference you’ll appreciate.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for tender crepes — use fresh, sifted flour for lump-free batter.
- Large eggs: Help provide structure and richness for the crepes.
- Milk and water: Make the batter thin enough to spread easily but still rich and creamy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Granulated sugar: Just enough to add a hint of sweetness without overpowering.
- Salted butter: Adds a wonderful, rich flavor and helps prevent sticking.
- Vanilla and almond extract: Bring that classic bakery aroma that’s impossible to resist.
- Heavy whipping cream: The base for the whipped cream, essential for light, fluffy texture.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream while keeping it silky smooth.
- Gingerbread spice: The star here, making the whipped cream taste of festive cheer—warm cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves meld beautifully.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with the toppings here. Sometimes I keep it classic with fresh raspberries and blueberries, other times I drizzle warm Nutella between the folds before layering. Feel free to get creative — these crepes are your canvas!
- Variation: For a nut-free version, just leave out the almond extract. I’ve found it still keeps plenty of flavor—and it’s kinder for guests with allergies.
- Seasonal twist: Swap out gingerbread spice for pumpkin pie spice if you want a slightly different autumnal vibe — it’s delicious, trust me.
- Dietary modification: Use dairy-free milk and whipped coconut cream for a vegan-friendly version — just remember extra patience on whipping the cream!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Whipped Cream Recipe
Step 1: Whisk batter to perfection
I take my time adding the milk and water slowly, about ¼ cup at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition. It sounds tedious, but this is the secret to a lump-free, silky smooth batter. If you rush and dump it all at once, you’ll end up hunting down little flour clumps later—and no one has time for that!
Step 2: Heat the pan and create thin crepes
I use a medium frying pan lightly oiled with butter. A good tip is to keep your heat steady at medium-high but not too hot — you want the crepes to cook quickly without burning. When the edges start to brown just a bit and the surface loses that glossy shine, it’s time to flip. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes per side.
Step 3: Fold and assemble into Christmas trees
The fun begins here! Spread a little Nutella on each crepe if you like, then fold them into quarters — like a small triangular tree. Layer them carefully on a plate, offset just so, then gently lift each flap and add a spoonful of that dreamy gingerbread whipped cream. Top with fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar to finish.
Step 4: Make the gingerbread spice whipped cream
Whip the cream on high until you see medium peaks—don't overdo it or it’ll become butter! Then gently mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and that magical gingerbread spice blend. Chill it until you’re ready to serve—it’s worth prepping just before plating for freshness.
Top Tip
From my many attempts, I've learned a few nuances that take this Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Whipped Cream Recipe from good to unforgettable.
- Slow Liquid Addition: Pour in the milk and water bit by bit while whisking to prevent lumps and get that perfect crepe batter consistency.
- Perfect Heat Control: Medium-high heat works best for cooking crepes fast but evenly; adjust if you see the batter browning too quickly.
- Gentle Folding: When assembling the layers, gently lift flaps of crepes before dolloping the whipped cream to maintain the tree shape and keep things neat.
- Don’t Over-Whip Cream: Stop whisking as soon as medium peaks form to avoid turning your whipped cream grainy or buttery.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Whipped Cream Recipe
Garnishes
I love surprising my family and guests with fresh raspberries and blueberries tucked between the folds — their tartness balances the sweet cream beautifully. A light dusting of powdered sugar is the final flourish that makes it picture-perfect and adds just a hint of extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
Pair these festive crepes with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or a warm cup of spiced chai latte for a dreamy holiday breakfast experience. I also like serving alongside simple scrambled eggs for guests who want a bit of savory to balance the sweets.
Creative Ways to Present
For family brunches, I’ve arranged these crepes on a large platter shaped like a fir tree and scattered edible gold stars for sparkle. Another fun idea is to pipe the gingerbread whipped cream artistically around the plate as “snow,” then sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top for a holiday twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover crepes I wrap tightly in plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I store the whipped cream separately in an airtight container. Combining them too early makes the crepes soggy, so it’s best to assemble right before serving.
Freezing
I’ve frozen plain crepes successfully by stacking them with parchment paper in between and sealing in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm gently in a pan before folding and adding fresh whipped cream. I don’t recommend freezing the whipped cream—it’s best fresh.
Reheating
To reheat, place crepes in a nonstick pan over low heat for a minute or two per side, or microwave for 20 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel to keep moisture in. Then fold and top with freshly whipped gingerbread cream for that just-made delight.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can easily make your own gingerbread spice blend by combining cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves as mentioned in the notes. Or simply use cinnamon and ground ginger in equal parts for a milder version.
Absolutely! The crepes themselves keep well for a couple of days refrigerated. Store whipped cream separately and assemble just before serving to keep everything fresh and prevent sogginess.
Yes, but the texture might change slightly. Look for a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum or guar gum to help hold the batter together. You might need to adjust liquid quantities slightly for the best consistency.
When the edges start to lift slightly and the bottom is just turning golden brown, the crepe is ready to flip. The surface will lose its glossy appearance and look matte; this is your cue to carefully flip and cook the other side briefly.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Whipped Cream Recipe is one of my cherished holiday traditions. It’s cozy without being complicated, festive without being fussy. Sharing this with friends and family always sparks smiles and happy memories. Give it a try and soon it might become your favorite way to celebrate the season, too.
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Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread 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 these festive Christmas Tree Crepes topped with a flavorful gingerbread spice whipped cream. Light, thin sweet crepes are folded and layered to mimic a Christmas tree shape, adorned with fresh berries and dusted with powdered sugar for a perfect holiday breakfast 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 (see notes for mix)
Instructions
- Prepare Crepe Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and eggs until mostly combined. Gradually add the milk and water in ¼ cup increments, whisking thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth batter. Stir in salt, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and almond extract until fully combined.
- Cook Crepes: Heat a lightly oiled crepe pan or medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour ¼ cup of batter into the pan, tilting to spread evenly thin. Cook for 2 minutes until the bottom browns lightly and surface turns matte, then flip carefully and cook the other side for 1 minute. Transfer crepe to a plate and repeat with remaining batter.
- Make Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream: In a medium bowl, beat the heavy cream on high speed until medium peaks form. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and gingerbread spice. Mix just until incorporated and refrigerate until serving.
- Assemble Christmas Tree Crepes: Drizzle each crepe with Nutella if desired, fold in half, then into quarters to form a quarter circle. Layer folded crepes slightly offset on a plate to resemble a tree. Gently lift the top flap of each crepe and spoon gingerbread spiced whipped cream inside. Garnish with raspberries and blueberries, and dust with powdered sugar.
- Serve Variations: Alternatively, serve crepes hot with Nutella, fresh sliced bananas, strawberries, raspberries, jams, or apple pie filling and sweetened whipped cream as preferred.
Notes
- To make your own gingerbread spice mix, combine 2 tablespoons cinnamon, 2 tablespoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground allspice, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.
- If only making gingerbread spice for this recipe, mix ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon allspice, a pinch of nutmeg, and a smidgen of ground cloves.
- A dash is approximately ⅛ teaspoon, a pinch is 1/16 teaspoon, and a smidgen is 1/32 teaspoon; approximate if needed.
- Use a non-stick pan or crepe pan to prevent sticking and allow for easy flipping of crepes.
- Ensure the batter is smooth and lump-free for the best crepe texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
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