Print

Truly The Best Crepes Ever Recipe

4.7 from 245 reviews

These are truly the best crepes you’ll ever have—thin, delicate, and versatile. Perfectly cooked on the stovetop with a luscious cream cheese filling and a variety of toppings like fresh strawberries, Nutella, or cinnamon sugar, these crepes are a delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Crepe Batter

  • 2 cups whole milk (do not use low-fat milk)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons sugar (optional for savory crepes, see notes)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (optional for savory crepes, see notes)
  • 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted (for the batter)
  • 1/2 cup butter (for cooking the crepes)

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 8 ounces cream cheese (1 block, softened)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Strawberry Topping

  • 1 and 1/2 pounds strawberries (washed, hulled, sliced or quartered)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons strawberry jam

Optional Toppings and Additions

  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Granulated sugar (for lemon sugar crepes)
  • Nutella
  • Mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
  • Cinnamon sugar (about 2-3 teaspoons cinnamon combined with 1/3 cup sugar)
  • Whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Prep the Strawberries: Wash and hull the strawberries, then slice or quarter them to your desired size. Place them in a serving bowl, sprinkle with 1/4 cup granulated sugar and add 2 tablespoons strawberry jam. Stir gently and set aside to macerate for about 20 minutes to develop flavor and release juices.
  2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat 8 ounces of softened cream cheese for one minute until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons whole milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. Beat everything together until fully combined with no lumps. Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate until needed.
  3. Prepare the Crepe Batter: Add 2 cups whole milk and 4 large eggs into a blender. Include 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract unless making savory crepes. Blend on medium speed.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Add 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt to the blender. Spoon and level the flour for accurate measurement.
  5. Incorporate Melted Butter: Melt 1/4 cup butter in a small bowl. With the blender running on low, remove the center spout and slowly pour the melted butter into the batter. Scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure all flour is incorporated and batter is smooth.
  6. Heat the Cooking Pan: Place an 8-inch skillet on the stove over medium heat. Allow it to heat for 60 to 90 seconds until hot to the touch. Place a stick of butter and the batter near the stove for easy access.
  7. Prepare the Pan: Add about 2 teaspoons of butter to the hot pan, swirling it to coat the entire bottom and the sides evenly.
  8. Pour the Batter: Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup (not necessarily full) to quickly pour the batter into the center of the pan. Immediately lift and tilt the pan to swirl the batter out evenly from the center into a thin layer. Work fast as the batter sets quickly.
  9. Cook the First Side: Let the crepe cook for about 60 seconds until the top surface looks dry and matte, with no wet spots. The bottom should begin to turn a light golden color. Carefully lift an edge using a spatula or chopstick, then flip the crepe using the spatula. Practice is encouraged as this step can be tricky.
  10. Check Crepe Flexibility: After flipping, the crepe should be flexible rather than flat or hard. Too much batter or overcooking causes stiffness. The edges should be soft or only slightly crisp.
  11. Cook the Second Side: Cook for an additional 10 to 20 seconds on the second side, enough to set the batter without crisping excessively. A little browning is acceptable.
  12. Transfer to Plate: Remove the crepe carefully onto a plate. You may use a spatula or gently invert the pan to let the crepe slide onto the plate. Stack cooked crepes as you go.
  13. Adjust Heat as Needed: If you notice bubbles appearing and popping immediately on the crepes, the pan is too hot. Lower the heat accordingly for better cooking control.
  14. Continue Cooking: Cook remaining crepes until batter is finished, optionally using a second pan to speed up the process.
  15. Serve Immediately: Enjoy the crepes hot for best flavor and texture.
  16. Serve Variations: For Strawberry Cream Cheese Crepes, spread cream cheese filling down the center, top with strawberries, and roll or fold. Add whipped cream if desired.
  17. Nutella Variations: Spread Nutella on crepes, top with strawberries, roll or fold, and optionally top with whipped cream.
  18. Lemon Sugar Crepes: Sprinkle granulated sugar over a crepe, squeeze fresh lemon juice over it, then fold or roll. Garnish with lemon zest for extra flavor.
  19. Mixed Berry Crepes: Use cream cheese filling with assorted berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries), then roll or fold and top with whipped cream as desired.
  20. Cinnamon Sugar Crepes: Brush crepes with melted butter, sprinkle cinnamon sugar mix, roll or fold, and add whipped cream on top if you like.
  21. Storage – Crepes: Stack leftover crepes on a plate, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. No need to separate with paper between crepes.
  22. Storage – Batter: Batter can be prepared ahead and stored in a sealed container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Stir well before use. If batter thickens, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time to adjust consistency.

Notes

  • For savory crepes, omit the sugar and vanilla extract from the batter.
  • Flour should be spooned and leveled for accurate measurement to achieve the perfect crepe batter consistency.
  • Practice flipping the crepes; it can take multiple attempts to get them perfect.
  • Use whole milk for the best texture and richness; low-fat milk may alter the batter quality.
  • Adjust cooking heat as necessary to avoid bubbles and overcooking.
  • The cream cheese filling is optional but highly recommended for added richness and flavor.
  • Use butter generously both in the batter and for cooking to prevent sticking and add flavor.
  • Batter tends to thicken after refrigeration; thin it with a little milk if needed before cooking.

Keywords: crepes recipe, French crepes, breakfast crepes, cream cheese filling, strawberry crepes, easy crepes, homemade crepes