Karpatka Eclair Cake - Polish Carpathian Mountain Cream Cake (2024)

Karpatka – Eclair Cake, also known as Polish Carpathian Mountain Cream Cake, is a delightful dessert that has captured the hearts of pastry lovers around the world. From the moment I laid eyes on this decadent treat, I knew I had to try it, and it did not disappoint!

This cake is essentially a giant cream puff or eclair, made up of two layers of choux pastry that are filled with a generous amount of vanilla cream. Each bite is a harmonious blend of crisp, buttery pastry and luscious, velvety cream. It’s a dessert that’s perfect for any occasion, be it a family gathering or a fancy dinner party.

One of the things I love most about this cake is its name. The word “Karpatka” comes from the Carpathian Mountains, which stretch across several countries in Central and Eastern Europe. As the choux pastry bakes, it puffs up and takes on irregular shapes, which, when dusted with powdered sugar, resemble the snowy peaks of the mountains. It’s a beautiful and fitting name for a cake that’s as stunning as it is delicious.

To take this cake to the next level, you can serve it with a berry coulis or chocolate sauce. The tartness of the berries or the richness of the chocolate complements the sweetness of the vanilla cream and the buttery flavor of the choux pastry perfectly. It’s a great way to add some extra flavor and texture to an already fantastic dessert.

How to make this Karpatka Eclair Cake

First, prepare the vanilla pastry cream by whisking together eggs, sugar, flour, and cornstarch. Gradually add boiling milk, return to heat, and cook until thickened. Add vanilla extract, cover, and let cool.

For the choux pastry layers, boil milk, water, sugar, salt, and butter, then add flour and cook until the dough pulls away from the pan. Add eggs one at a time, divide evenly, and bake until puffed and golden brown.

For the vanilla filling, mix butter with pastry cream until fully incorporated. Assembly involves placing the first layer of choux pastry on a serving platter, adding vanilla cream, placing the second layer of pastry, and refrigerating for several hours. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, and enjoy with berry coulis or chocolate sauce if desired.

I highly recommend trying this Karpatka Eclair Cake. It’s a show-stopping dessert that’s sure to impress your friends and family. And with its simple yet elegant flavor profile, it’s a dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. So, don’t hesitate to give it a try, and I promise you won’t be disappointed! If you do, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, would love to see how it turns out for you. For a twist on the classic recipe, be sure to try the Chocolate Karpatka Eclair Cake. Enjoy!

Other custard desserts you may like to try

This Norwegian Verdens Beste Cake consists of two layers of soft vanilla sponge cake topped with crispy baked meringue and toasted almonds filled with smooth and creamy vanilla custard and whipped cream.

You also must try the twist to this amazing dessert, the Chocolate Norwegian Cake. Another custard dessert we love is this Ding Don Cake which consists of two layers of rich and moist chocolate cake that are filled with a creamy and fluffy vanilla custard cream filling, then topped with a smooth and rich chocolate ganache.

For a nutty caramel, experience try this Pecan Caramel Mousse Cake with two layers of vanilla sponge cake with caramel pecan topping and with a smooth custard salted caramel mousse filling.

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