Crepes With Lemon Cream Cheese and Blackberry Filling

Crepes are associated with tender memories for me. They resemble my aunt’s Norwegian pancakes that she used to serve us when we would come for a visit in the summers. On sunshiny days, these were usually served outside, and what precious memories that created for me. Do not underestimate the value of simple things in making fantastic memories. A little thing such as eating outdoors can make a huge impact, and this is something the Norwegians are very good at doing. In the summertime, they eat a lot of their meals outdoors. They also take their time and visit as they eat. It has very fond memories for me.

These crepes are delicious on their own, but they are an exceptional treat when served with lemon cream cheese and blackberry filling. I usually serve these crepes with lemon cream cheese and blackberry filling on the side. The lemon cream cheese filling melts when added to the warm crepes, so it works best when added right before serving.

Crepes With Lemon Cream Cheese and Blackberry Filling

Ingredients (Crepes)

• 3/4 cup white whole wheat pastry flour
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of cardamom (optional)
• 2–3 tablespoons maple syrup or all-natural cane sugar
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup sparkling water (We use sparkling water to make these crepes light, fluffy, and delicious. It’s amazing how it adds that little extra fluff to the crepes. Any type of unflavored carbonated mineral water will do)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder, and cardamom. Stir to combine.
2. In a separate bowl, add all the liquid ingredients: almond milk, olive oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and sparkling water.  
3. Make a well in the middle of the dry mixture and pour in the liquid ingredients. Stir to combine.  
4. If the batter seems too thick, add an additional tablespoon of sparkling water until the batter becomes a soupy consistency. It may take an additional 2-3 tablespoons of water.  
5. Heat a skillet, and when it is hot, add about 1/4 cup of batter. Lift the skillet and twirl around to make the batter spread out into a large circle. Return to the heat source—Cook for a few seconds on each side. Ensure the bubbles on the top are popped before you attempt to turn it (otherwise, it will most likely stick to the pan).
6. Serve with berries, favorite fruit, vegan whipped cream, or your choice:)

NOTE: These crepes do not usually stick to the skillet, but if they do, spray a little oil on the pan between each crepe.

Lemon Cream Cheese Filling

• 1 pack (7 oz.) Violife Vegan Cream Cheese (We prefer this cream cheese for several reasons. First, it is completely white, which gives it a beautifully fresh and appetizing look. It is also smooth and creamy, has an exceptional flavor, and resembles cream cheese in its consistency.)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar

With a hand mixer whip the Cream Cheese and lemon juice until smooth; next, add the powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time. Adjust to taste.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  

Blackberry Filling

• 10 oz. frozen organic blackberries (Blackberries are high in vitamin C, are packed with fiber, and provide antioxidants to protect the cells in your body. It also has an anti-inflammatory component and is, therefore, a great berry to add to your diet.)
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup (Being from New England, it is only natural for me to sweeten things with maple syrup. It is slightly better than sugar in that it has a few minerals and many antioxidants. But if you do not have that option, you can add a couple of tablespoons of sugar instead. As with all sweeteners, they should be consumed in moderation. It is one of my grandfather’s favorite sayings: “All things in moderation.”)
• 1 tablespoon tapioca (mix with 1 tablespoon water)

In a small saucepan add the frozen blackberries and maple syrup. Bring to a simmer while stirring. Let simmer for a few minutes.  

Mix the tapioca with about 1 tablespoon of water to make a slurry. Add to the saucepan. Stir. It will thicken quickly. Let it simmer on low for about a minute, stirring frequently.

Set aside to cool.

Assembly

Assemble the crepes right before eating. I have found it helpful to let people fill their crepes according to their taste buds, so I usually provide the three components and then let people assemble the crepes according to their preferences.

Call to Action

Adding fruit (blackberries) filling to the crepes makes them very delicious. But, there's another Fruit that is even better than this. Would you join me in asking the Holy Spirit to help us reflect the Fruits of the Spirit?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV