Easy Dessert Crepes with Ricotta and Raspberries
This recipe shows you how to make dessert crepes, and it also has tons of other sweet and savory crepe filling ideas. Homemade crepes are so much easier to make than you’d think!
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Creating This Crepe Recipe
No one ever said that crepes are just for dessert, yet that is often what comes to mind first when thinking about these delectable thin, French pancakes. Crepes are an essential kitchen know-how because they lay the foundation for so many different meals. In fact, I think it’s fairly easy to say that one could enjoy crepes at every meal of the day.
I actually wrecked the first batch of crepes I made, but don’t let my failure (it was bound to happen one of these days!) discourage you. I turned to a well known French cookbook and started out with that recipe figuring it would be fool-proof.
I thought I followed it just right. Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t, but every single crepe I flipped tore.
After some practice and a batch that was destined for the trash can I was dead set on conquering what I thought shouldn’t be that hard! Several adaptations to the original and almost a half dozen eggs later, Madeline and I were scarfing down a delicious plate of crepes.
I followed the same method as the original, just different ingredient proportions for almost everything on the list and not single crepe tore from the recipe I’m sharing here.
Homemade crepes might come across as time consuming, but they’re actually fairly quick to make since each one takes hardly any time at all to cook. They are also simple enough that you can make up a batch at the beginning of the week and store them covered in the fridge for a few days to use as you need.
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Crepe Ingredients
For this sweet crepe recipe, you’ll need:
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Milk
- Melted butter
Depending on the type of crepes you want to make, you’ll need different ingredients for different fillings. But these are the ingredients needed for your standard homemade crepes, sans filling.
How Do You Make Crepes?
To make simple homemade crepes, add all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Chill for at least an hour, then cook over a greased skillet, swirling the batter to distribute it.
You’ll need to carefully flip the crepes halfway through, and then you can fill them with whatever you’re craving. I made dessert crepes, but you can easily make these savory!
Can I Make These in Advance?
Want to save a little extra time? Make the batter at least a few hours before you need it so it can rest, even overnight if you’d like. Many of the crepe filling ideas that I’ve thought of require practically no time or can be made in advance. Make ahead meals are the best!
How to Reheat Crepes
To reheat, just place the crepe on a hot pan, top with the fillings (if they require warming) and heat until warm. With some ideas, such as yogurt and berries, only the crepe will need to be warmed. Because they’re so thin it won’t take long at all to reheat them.
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Crepe Filling Ideas
Crepes can be a medium to many different meals and flavors. Once you have the technique down, there’s nothing stopping you from filling up those crepes with different ingredients for completely different meals that you can enjoy any time of the day.
Although special equipment isn’t a requirement for preparing crepes, I did purchase this 10-Inch Crepe Pan recently, but that’s mostly because my old small non-stick pan recently took a one-way trip to the city dump.
Breakfast Crepes
Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not make it a little more exciting with some of these fun ideas. I don’t know about you, but I am constantly underwhelmed with cold cereal.
- Maple and Cardamom Pears with Yogurt
- Scrambled Eggs and Bacon
- Yogurt and Berries
Lunch Crepes
Lunch is my worst meal of the day. Many of my days are spent cooking and preparing recipes for the blog that end up snacking on a little of this and a little of that as I cook.
Which is not really the best strategy for healthy eating. I am definitely going to experiment more with lunch ideas for crepes.
- Turkey and Arugula with Brie
- Curried Chicken Salad
Dinner Crepes
Crepes are great as a rescue dinner on a busy night. Use any breakfast or lunch idea for a quick fix dinner, or get creative with other fillings.
- Chicken Pot Pie Filling
- Mushu Pork
- Roasted Vegetables and Pesto
Dessert Crepes
I could think of endless dessert ideas for crepes. I think we all need something a little sweet once in a while, which is why I’ve created this Ricotta Cream and Orange Scented Raspberries dessert crepe recipe to share today.
- Nutella
- Roasted Nectarines and Cream
- Pumpkin Spice Salted Caramel Sauce
- Ricotta and Raspberries
- Blueberry Lemon Sauce
The ricotta cream is somewhat inspired by cannoli filling, but instead of mascarpone uses the more common cream cheese. My grocer can often be unpredictable when it comes to mascarpone, but I almost always have cream cheese on hand.
I love the creamy ricotta in combination with the sweet, juicy berries. In the summer, use fresh raspberries but you can still enjoy this delight during the winter when your days need a little brightening. Frozen berries work just as well!
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More Dessert Recipes:
For a super simple dessert, make this No-Churn Brownie Chunk Ice Cream. The toughest part of this recipe is waiting for the ice cream to freeze!
Traditional Apple Crisp is another no-fuss dessert recipe that I can make in my sleep.
You always need a good Homemade Brownie Recipe tucked up your sleeve for those weeknights when your kids want something sweet, but you can’t be bothered to whip up something fancy.
If you have some extra time on your hands, make a batch of these Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream. The fresh raspberry sauce on top is optional!
What are some of your favorite crepe creations?
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Dessert Crepes with Ricotta Cream and Raspberries
This recipe shows you how to make dessert crepes, and it also has tons of other sweet and savory crepe filling ideas.
Ingredients
Basic Crepes
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup sugar (1 teaspoon for savory)
- 5 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) butter, melted
Ricotta Cream Filling
- 3/4 cup part skim milk ricotta
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- zest of 1/4 of an orange
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Orange Scented Raspberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon cornstarch
- 12 ounces frozen raspberries
- zest of half an orange
- juice from one small orange
Instructions
Basic Crepes
- Add all ingredients to a blender and process on high for 45-60 seconds, or until well blended. Scrape sides down, if necessary, with a spatula. Let rest in the refrigerator for an hour or up to overnight.
- Heat a 10-inch crepe pan over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or spray oil. When hot, add 1/3 cup of batter to the pan.
- Swirl the pan to spread the batter all around evenly. Then, place on the heat and cook for about 1 minute. When the top is no longer shiny, then you will know it is ready to turn. Flip with a spatula and cook for another 15-45 seconds, until golden. Remove and place on a plate while you cook the remaining crepes.
For the Ricotta Filling
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and beat with an electric mixer (I used hand-held) until combined. Set aside in a bowl.
For the Orange Scented Raspberries
- Add the sugar and cornstarch to a medium saucepan. Stir until combined. Add the raspberries, zest, and orange juice. Cook over medium-high heat until boiling, then reduce to low and cook for 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.
Assembling the Crepes
- Spread one side of each crepe with the ricotta mixture. Roll up and top with raspberries.
Notes
The basic crepe recipe can be transformed into any number of sweet and savory crepes. You don't have to make these crepes with the ricotta and raspberry filling specified!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 417Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 329mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 3gSugar: 23gProtein: 11g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Tag @goodlifeeats and include the hashtag #goodlifeeatsrecipes so I can see what you’re cooking up in YOUR kitchen!
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PuzzlingChristian says
Yummy!
Sharlene says
This whole post made me drool. So much talking of delicious crepes! My favorite has to be nutella and banana. Such a classic but amazing combination.
Kristen says
Lots of delicious flavors… I’m a big fan of pancakes, but crepes come in a close second!
Laura says
I just made crepes this past weekend. We used Nutella and Banana….heaven! I like these ideas too especially for dinner so I am going to have to give this a try
Debbie B. (DebaRooRoo) says
Holy cow I want a crepe now ..
Jamie | My Baking Addiction says
These are so beautiful, Katie. I have only made crepes once, but you have inspired me to make them again.
Tracy says
Your crepes look beautiful! I’d enjoy them any time of the day!
Michelle (What's Cooking with Kids) says
I am drooling on my keyboard. Thanks a lot 🙂 We love savory crepes too – with pesto, scrambled egg and cheese. And my daughter LOVES banana with nutella on hers.
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
Stunning photos, Katie. Please won’t you come over and help me make these for breakfast today??
Michaela says
I love the chicken pot pie filling idea. I love chicken pot pie but I hate pie crust. I’ve also heard that you can make the crepes ahead of time, freeze them, and just reheat them in a pan when you need them.
Katie says
I bet they would freeze well! I haven’t tried it yet, but next time I’ll give it a go.
Tiffany says
My favorite is Nutella and banana! YUMMY!
Lisa {Smart Food & Fit} says
These are beautiful and I love the combination of raspberries and ricotta cheese. This would make a perfect mother’s day brunch.
Cookbook Queen says
These sound WONDERFUL!!
When I was a kid, my mom made crepes but she filled them with jelly (I know, not very fancy but they WERE good).
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
A ricotta cream filling sounds wonderful, I usually fill mine with jam or nutella, this is much more elegant.
Kenni says
These are beautiful! I could eat crepes all day too ugh soo good!
Liz @ Blog is the New Black says
I’ve been DYING to try making crepes. These look wonderful!