Chocolate Crepes with Fresh Strawberries
This is the ultimate chocolate dessert. The chocolate cream center is light and just gives a hint of chocolate.
For those who may be getting tired of chocolate (seriously I do not know how that is possible), this recipe also makes a very good plain crepe by leaving out the chocolate. Plain crepes are especially delicious filled with cream cheese and fresh fruit.
Experiment with the recipes below to find your favorite combination.
RECIPE #4 (from 10 Pounds of Chocolate Chips)
4 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
4 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2/3 cup milk
2/3 cup water
Whisk eggs. In a separate bowl sift together flour, salt, cocoa and sugar. Add the flour mixture to the eggs and mix well. In a separate bowl melt chocolate and butter. (For a plain crepe, leave out the cocoa powder and the melted chocolate) Cool, then pour into the egg mixture. While mixing carefully pour in the milk and the water. The batter will be very thin.
Refrigerate for one hour.
Before cooking the crepes, whisk the batter gently to blend the ingredients. It should have the consistency of heavy cream and should pour easily.
Heat a crepe pan (7 1/2 inch skillet) over medium high heat. When hot remove from heat and add about 3 tablespoons of batter. Swirl the pan so that the batter spreads across the bottom in a thin, even layer. Cook until the batter sets (just a few seconds). Flip the crepe over to cook the other side.Cool before adding a filling.
Crepe Fillings
Following are 4 different crepe filling options.
1. Chocolate Cream
Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips. In a separate bowl, beat 1 pint of whipping cream until soft peaks. Sweeten with granulated sugar.
Pour the melted chocolate into the whipped cream and finish beating until stiff.
Fill the crepe along one edge with a row of chocolate cream. Layer sliced strawberries on top. Roll the crepe and top with fresh strawberries and chocolate cream. Drizzle melted chocolate on top if desired.
I prefer the chocolate cream recipe because it does not require heating and then waiting for it to cool. If, however, you would like a smoother chocolate filling, try this recipe for ganache.
Heat 1 cup whipping cream in a saucepan over low heat. In a bowl place 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips. Allow the chocolate to melt and then stir. Once blended, allow to cool in the refrigerator then beat until the mixture begins to hold its shape. (If you prefer a slightly sweeter flavor then add about a teaspoon of granulated sugar to the cream while beating)
3. Cream Cheese Filling
16 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon juice
4 Tablespoons milk
Beat cream cheese. Add sugar, vanilla, lemon juice and milk. Mix until smooth. Serve with fresh fruit.
4. Whipping Cream
Fill crepe with sweetened whipping cream. Top with fresh fruit and drizzle with melted chocolate.