Decadent Chocolate Crepe Cake

Name: Decadent Chocolate Crepe Cake
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed; 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped; 6 large eggs; 2-1/2 cups whole milk; 3 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup sugar; 1/8 teaspoon salt; WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM:; 8 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; 2-1/4 cups sugar; 1 teaspoon cream of tartar; 8 large egg whites; 2 cups unsalted butter, softened; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE GANACHE:; 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped; 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream; 2-1/2 teaspoons corn syrup; 1/8 teaspoon salt

No other dessert has wowed family and friends the way this stunning crepe cake did the first time I made it. A showstopper in every sense of the word, it features layers of tender chocolate crepes and rich white chocolate buttercream frosting draped in a semisweet chocolate ganache. —Tina Sawchuk, Ardmore, Alberta

Ingredients

3/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
6 large eggs
2-1/2 cups whole milk
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM:
8 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2-1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
8 large egg whites
2 cups unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE GANACHE:
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2-1/2 teaspoons corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a microwave, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla and cooled chocolate mixture. Combine the flour, sugar and salt; add to egg mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. (Batter will appear curdled.)
For buttercream, in a microwave, melt white chocolate with cream; stir until smooth. Set aside to cool. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cream of tartar.
Place egg whites in a double boiler or metal bowl over simmering water; stir in the sugar mixture. Constantly whisk until mixture reaches 120-130° (do not overheat). Stirring gently, keep at 120-130° for 2 minutes. Immediately transfer to a mixing bowl.
With a whisk attachment, beat on high speed for 5 minutes. Reduce speed and beat for 5 additional minutes or until cool and stiff. Transfer to a large bowl.
In the same mixing bowl with the whisk attachment, beat butter and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in cooled white chocolate mixture. With a spatula, stir a fourth of the meringue into butter mixture until no white streaks remain. Fold in remaining meringue. Cover and refrigerate.
Heat a lightly greased 8-in. nonstick skillet over medium heat; pour 2 tablespoons crepe batter into center of skillet. Lift and tilt pan to coat bottom evenly. Cook until top appears dry, about 2 minutes; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, greasing skillet as needed.
When cool, stack crepes with waxed paper or paper towels in between.
To assemble, place one crepe on a cake plate. Spread with 3 tablespoons buttercream. Repeat layers until 10 crepes are used. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Repeat layering and chilling until 30 crepes are used, ending layers with a crepe. (Save remaining crepes for another use.) Refrigerate.
For ganache, place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the cream, corn syrup and salt just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool, stirring occasionally, until ganache reaches a spreading consistency. Spread over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.