There’s something truly magical about transforming simple crepes into a festive treat, and this Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe does just that. Picture delicate layers folded into a tree shape, paired with cozy gingerbread spice-infused cream—it's the kind of breakfast that feels like a warm holiday hug.
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
Sharing this recipe has been a highlight of my holiday mornings—the way it combines classic French crepes with the festive warmth of gingerbread spices is just unbeatable. It’s not only delicious but also a joy to assemble, making it perfect for cozy family celebrations or impressing your brunch guests.
- Festive Flavor Combination: The gingerbread spiced whipped cream adds a nostalgic holiday twist that really elevates the crepes.
- Fun Presentation: Folding the crepes like Christmas trees makes the dish playful and perfect for holiday gatherings.
- Easy to Customize: You can tweak the fillings and toppings to suit your taste or what’s in season.
- Make Ahead Friendly: You can prep the crepes and whipped cream in advance to save stress on the big day.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients here blend simple pantry staples with warm spices to get that perfect balance of light crepes and rich, aromatic whipped cream. From the flour to the extracts, each one plays a key role in making these crepes taste festive yet comforting.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for tender yet sturdy crepes that hold up to folding.
- Eggs: Bind the batter and give the crepes their light, silky texture.
- Milk & Water: The combo creates a thin batter that's easy to spread in the pan.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to the crepes without overpowering.
- Salted butter: Brings richness and a subtle savory nuance.
- Vanilla & Almond extract: Both add layers of flavor; almond is optional but I love its nutty note here.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to billowy perfection for that luscious topping.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream delicately without graininess.
- Gingerbread spice: That classic blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves makes this cream feel like holiday magic in every bite.
Make It Your Way
I’ve found a few small tweaks really make this recipe feel more personal. For instance, playing around with extracts or trying different fillings can change the flavor profile just enough to keep it exciting every year.
- Variation: I sometimes swap the almond extract for a touch of orange zest in the crepes for a bright citrus note that pairs beautifully with the gingerbread cream.
- Dietary modification: You can easily use a dairy-free butter and coconut cream to make this recipe vegan-friendly without losing that indulgent texture.
- Seasonal changes: Switch up the berries for pomegranate seeds or candied cranberries if you want to add a tart, festive touch.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Together the Batter
Start by combining the flour and eggs in a large bowl. It’ll look like a lumpy mess at this point—don’t worry, that’s normal! Slowly add the milk and water, about a quarter cup at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition. This slow incorporation helps prevent lumps and gives you that smooth, pourable batter that’s perfect for thin crepes. Stir in salt, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and almond extract last to round out the flavor.
Step 2: Cook the Crepes
Heat a lightly oiled nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Use about ¼ cup of batter per crepe, tilting the pan quickly in a circular motion so it spreads evenly and thinly. Cook each side until you see just a hint of golden brown—about 1-2 minutes per side. Keep your crepes warm on a plate while you make the rest.
Step 3: Prepare the Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream
In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until medium peaks form—that’s when the cream holds shape but still looks soft. Gently fold in powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and that magical gingerbread spice blend. A quick mix, then chill until ready to serve—this cream is where holiday flavor shines brightest.
Step 4: Assemble Your Christmas Tree Crepes
If you want to be fancy (and who doesn’t this time of year?), drizzle some Nutella on each crepe, then fold it in half, then quarters to form a quarter circle. Arrange your folded crepes like tree branches, offset slightly on a serving plate. Gently lift each top flap, spoon in your gingerbread spiced whipped cream, and top with fresh raspberries and blueberries. A light dusting of powdered sugar mimic snow, and you're set for a picture-perfect festive breakfast.
Top Tip
After making this recipe a few times, I realized that gentle heat control is key. The crepes cook quickly, so keep your pan at medium to medium-high and avoid any scorched spots. Plus, making the batter the night before helps all the flavors meld and makes the morning prep so much easier.
- Slow Pour Technique: Adding milk and water slowly while whisking prevents lumps and keeps your batter silky smooth.
- Keep Crepes Warm: Stack crepes on a plate and cover lightly with foil to keep them pliable for folding later.
- Whip Cream with Care: Stop whipping as soon as medium peaks form to avoid curdling into butter—especially important with spiced cream.
- Play with Spices: Tweak the gingerbread blend to taste — a little more cinnamon or ginger can make the flavor pop for your family.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding fresh berries—not just for flavor but for that burst of color that turns the plate into a holiday scene. Raspberries and blueberries are my go-to for their vibrant red and blue hues, but pomegranate arils or sliced kiwi can add an unexpected festive pop. For a final snowy touch, a light sift of powdered sugar never fails.
Side Dishes
Pair these crepes with a crisp, tangy fruit salad to cut through the richness. I also like serving a side of spiced apple cider or a steaming mug of hot chocolate to complement the gingerbread flavors. If you want something heartier, a small plate of crispy bacon or sausage rounds out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive brunch, I sometimes create a “forest” by stacking crepe trees on a long wooden board with pine sprigs tucked around the edges (just for decoration, of course). You can even thread some edible gold dust over the top or sprinkle finely chopped nuts for a little extra texture and sparkle.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover crepes I wrap tightly in plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for up to two days. They do tend to dry out a bit, so I recommend reheating them gently with a damp paper towel to keep them soft and pliable.
Freezing
I’ve had great success freezing crepes stacked between parchment paper in a sealed bag. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm them up briefly in a pan or microwave. The whipped cream, however, is best made fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat crepes carefully on low heat to avoid tearing. If using a microwave, a few seconds with a damp paper towel over them will do the trick. The whipped cream is best added right before serving to keep that luscious look and taste.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! The gingerbread spice mix keeps up to a year in an airtight container, so you can make a big batch at the start of the season and use it for this whipped cream as well as other holiday treats.
The key is to add the liquids slowly to the flour and eggs while whisking vigorously. This gradual addition prevents lumps and creates a smooth batter.
Yes, making your crepes the night before is great for saving time. Keep them covered tightly in the fridge, and gently reheat before assembling with whipped cream.
No worries! Vanilla extract alone works well, or you can substitute with a drop of orange or peppermint extract for a different flavor twist.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Crepes with Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream Recipe is one of those holiday breakfast gems I return to year after year. The combination of delicate crepes folded like festive trees and that cozy gingerbread whipped cream keeps everyone smiling at the table. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do, turning your mornings into a celebration with every forkful.
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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
Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Tree Crepes topped with a luscious gingerbread spice whipped cream. Perfectly thin and sweet crêpes are folded into tree shapes and layered with a spiced whipped cream, fresh berries, and a dusting of powdered sugar for a whimsical holiday breakfast or dessert.
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 Crêpe Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and eggs until combined into a large mass. Slowly add the milk and water about ¼ cup at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition to achieve a smooth batter. Stir in salt, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and almond extract to complete the batter.
- Cook Crêpes: Heat a lightly oiled crêpe pan or medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour ¼ cup of batter into the pan, tilting it in a circular motion to form a thin, even layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the bottom starts to brown and the surface loses glossiness. Flip and cook the other side for 1 minute. Transfer to a plate and repeat until all batter is used.
- Make Gingerbread Spiced Whipped Cream: In a medium bowl, beat heavy cream on high speed until medium peaks form. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and gingerbread spice, mixing until just incorporated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Assemble Christmas Tree Crepes: Optionally drizzle each crêpe with Nutella, then fold in half and then in fourths to create quarter circles. Layer folded crepes in the same direction on a plate, slightly offset. Gently lift the top flap of each and spoon in gingerbread whipped cream. Top with raspberries and blueberries, dust with powdered sugar, and serve.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve hot with Nutella, fresh sliced bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, jams, apple pie filling, or sweetened whipped cream as desired.
Notes
- To make your own gingerbread spice, 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.
- For just enough gingerbread spice for this recipe, use ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon allspice, a pinch of nutmeg, and a smidgen of ground cloves.
- If you don’t have a crêpe pan, use a non-stick skillet or griddle instead.
- Be patient when adding milk and water to the batter to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth consistency.
- Fold crepes carefully to avoid tearing, especially when layering for Christmas tree shapes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
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