Whimsical Hedgehog Crepe Tower
Celebrate life's special moments with an enchanting dessert that steals the show! This Whimsical Hedgehog Crepe Tower features delicate layers of homemade vanilla crepes, artfully stacked with a light and airy cookies and cream filling. Each slice reveals a delightful contrast of colors ranging from pastel purples to vibrant pinks, all crowned with adorable hedgehog marshmallows that add a playful touch. Not only is it a feast for the eyes, but the creamy Oreo-infused frosting makes every bite an explosion of deliciousness. Perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or any occasion that calls for sweetness and whimsy, this customizable cake can be adorned with your favorite colors and candy sprinkles, making it the ideal centerpiece for your dessert table!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
large eggs
6 (large, beaten)
whole milk
2 1/2 cups (fresh)
vanilla extract
1 tablespoon (pure vanilla extract)
granulated sugar
6 tablespoons (for batter)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (to balance flavor)
all-purpose flour
2 cups (sifted)
unsalted butter
6 tablespoons (melted, for greasing crepes)
heavy whipping cream
2 cups (cold, for filling)
granulated sugar
4 tablespoons (for whipped cream)
Oreo cookies
12 (crushed)
cornstarch
1/4 cup (for filling)
powdered sugar
1/2 cup (for marshmallow coating)
unflavored gelatin
1 envelope (for marshmallows)
cold water
1/3 cup (for gelatin blooming)
granulated sugar
1 cup (for marshmallows)
light corn syrup
1 tablespoon (for marshmallows)
cold water
1/4 cup (for sugar mixture)
salt
1/8 teaspoon (for marshmallows)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (for marshmallows)
candy sprinkles (blue)
1/4 cup (for decoration)
candy sprinkles (pink)
1/4 cup (for decoration)
dark chocolate
1/4 cup (melted, for decorating hedgehogs)
Instructions
1
Gather your supplies: candy thermometer, pink and blue icing gel, two piping bags with large and small round tips, wax paper, pastry brush, offset spatula, toothpicks, and sprinkle mix.
2
In a high-speed blender, combine eggs, milk, and vanilla. Blend until foamy, then add sugar, flour, and salt. Blend until just combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3
Prepare the hedgehog marshmallows: In a bowl, combine the coating powder ingredients and set aside. Line a baking tray with wax paper and sift the coating powder over it.
4
In a stand mixer, combine 1/3 cup cold water and unflavored gelatin, letting it bloom. In a saucepan, mix sugar, corn syrup, 1/4 cup water, and salt, stirring until dissolved. Heat without stirring until it reaches 240°F. Gradually pour this hot sugar mixture into the bloomed gelatin with the mixer on low. Once combined, increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form (about 8-10 minutes).
5
Pour in vanilla extract and mix until combined. Transfer marshmallow mix into piping bags.
6
On the wax paper, pipe hedgehog bodies, adding ears and smoothing with water. Sprinkle jimmies for spines. Let marshmallows set for at least 7 hours or overnight.
7
Divide crepe batter into three bowls, coloring each with icing gel. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low and lightly brush with melted butter. Scoop about 1/3 cup of batter into the skillet, swirling to coat evenly.
8
Cook the crepe for 1-2 minutes, then flip and cook for another 45 seconds to 1 minute until set. Repeat, adding butter between each crepe. Aim for 6-7 crepes of each color and refrigerate to cool.
9
Chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment for 15 minutes. Add heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla to the bowl, and whip until light and fluffy. Fold in crushed Oreos, reserving some whipped cream for later decoration.
10
To build the cake, start with a purple crepe on a cake plate, layer with cookies and cream filling, and continue stacking alternating colors of crepes and filling until the tower is complete. Chill the cake for at least an hour.
11
Melt chocolate and use a toothpick to create faces on the marshmallow hedgehogs. Decorate the chilled crepe cake with the remaining whipped cream, hedgehog marshmallows, and sprinkles before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Whimsical Hedgehog Crepe Tower?
It is an enchanting dessert featuring delicate layers of homemade vanilla crepes stacked with a light cookies and cream filling, decorated with handmade hedgehog marshmallows.
How many layers of crepes are in this tower?
The recipe suggests aiming for 6-7 crepes of each color, resulting in approximately 18-21 layers total when using three different colors.
How long does the crepe batter need to rest?
The crepe batter should be covered and refrigerated for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight for the best results.
What flavor is the filling for the crepe cake?
The filling is a delicious cookies and cream flavor, made by folding crushed Oreo cookies into a light and airy whipped cream base.
How are the hedgehog marshmallows made?
They are made by whipping a hot sugar and gelatin mixture into soft peaks, piping them into shapes, and adding candy jimmies for spines.
What temperature should the marshmallow syrup reach?
The sugar mixture for the marshmallows needs to reach a temperature of 240 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer.
How long do the hedgehog marshmallows take to set?
The marshmallows need at least 7 hours or overnight to set properly before they can be decorated and used.
What colors are used for the crepes?
The recipe uses pink and blue icing gels to create a range of pastel colors including purples and vibrant pinks.
How do you create the hedgehog faces?
The faces are created by melting dark chocolate and using a toothpick to carefully draw features onto the set marshmallows.
What is the secret to a fluffy cream filling?
The secret is to chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment for 15 minutes before whipping the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla.
How do you prevent the crepes from sticking to the pan?
A nonstick skillet should be used and lightly brushed with melted unsalted butter between cooking each crepe.
What is in the marshmallow coating powder?
The coating consists of a mixture of powdered sugar and cornstarch to prevent the marshmallows from sticking to the tray.
Can I use a blender for the crepe batter?
Yes, a high-speed blender is recommended to combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, flour, and salt until just combined.
Is there a specific way to stack the crepe tower?
Yes, start with a purple crepe, layer with cookies and cream filling, and continue stacking while alternating colors until complete.
How long should the finished cake chill before serving?
The assembled crepe cake should be chilled for at least one hour before final decoration and serving.
What kind of sprinkles are used for decoration?
The recipe uses both blue and pink candy sprinkles to decorate the exterior and jimmies for the hedgehog spines.
How much batter is used for each crepe?
Approximately 1/3 cup of batter should be scooped into the skillet for each individual crepe.
What ingredients are needed for the marshmallow base?
You will need unflavored gelatin, cold water, granulated sugar, light corn syrup, salt, and vanilla extract.
How do you smooth the marshmallow shapes?
You can use a small amount of water on your fingertips or a tool to smooth the piped marshmallow bodies.
Is this recipe suitable for special occasions?
Yes, it is specifically described as perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or any occasion that calls for a whimsical centerpiece.
Can I customize the colors of this cake?
Absolutely, the cake is customizable and you can use your favorite colors of icing gel and candy sprinkles.
What equipment is needed for piping the marshmallows?
You will need two piping bags equipped with large and small round tips to form the hedgehog bodies and ears.
What type of flour is used for the crepes?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
How long does each crepe take to cook?
Each crepe takes about 1-2 minutes on the first side and about 45 seconds to 1 minute on the second side.
Should I save any whipped cream for decorating?
Yes, the instructions suggest reserving some plain whipped cream before folding in the Oreos to use for final decoration.
What type of milk is best for the crepes?
The recipe specifies using 2 1/2 cups of fresh whole milk.
How many Oreo cookies are needed for the recipe?
You will need 12 Oreo cookies, which should be crushed before being added to the filling.
What is the purpose of cornstarch in the filling?
Cornstarch is included in the ingredient list for the filling to help provide stability and structure.
Do I need to bloom the gelatin for the marshmallows?
Yes, the unflavored gelatin should be combined with 1/3 cup cold water in a stand mixer to bloom before adding the hot syrup.
Can the crepes be made in advance?
Yes, the crepes can be cooked and refrigerated before you begin the assembly process of the tower.