Jam-Filled Crepes

Jam-filled crepes are more than just a dessert—they are a true symbol of homey comfort that many of us have cherished since childhood. Using milk whey in the batter gives them exceptional elasticity and a barely perceptible, pleasant tang that contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of the berry filling. The delicate aroma of melted butter and subtle vanilla notes fill the kitchen while you cook, creating a festive atmosphere even on an ordinary weekday. This dish brilliantly combines simple ingredients with an elegant presentation, especially when those golden edges turn appetizingly crispy after being pan-fried a second time.

Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 45 minutes
Quantity: 10 Pieces
Per serving
Calories: 161 kcal
Proteins: 3.9 g
Fats: 5.9 g
Carbohydrates: 23.5 g

Ingredients

  • 300 ml whey or milk
  • 2 large or 3 small chicken eggs
  • 165 g all-purpose flour
  • 35 g butter
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 100 ml boiling water
  • 150 g fruit or berry jam
  • Salt, sugar, and oil for cooking
  • Powdered sugar for serving

How to Make Jam-Filled Crepes

Pour whey or low-fat milk into a deep bowl. In this recipe, I’m making thin crepes using the whey left over from making soft homemade farmer’s cheese. The whey is slightly acidic, so I recommend adding baking soda to the batter to neutralize the acidity. If you are making these crepes with fresh milk, you can skip the baking soda.

Milk whey in a bowl with a wire whisk

Pour the milk whey or low-fat milk into a large mixing bowl to start the batter.

Add 2 teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt. Crack in two large eggs.

Adding eggs to milk whey in a bowl

Crack in two large eggs, and add sugar and salt for a well-balanced flavor profile.

Whisk the wet ingredients until the mixture is frothy and smooth.

Frothy whisked egg and whey mixture

Whisk the mixture thoroughly until a light foam appears and all the ingredients are fully combined.

Add all-purpose flour to the bowl and sprinkle the baking soda over it.

Flour and baking soda added to the liquid mixture

Sift in the all-purpose flour and sprinkle over the baking soda to neutralize the whey's acidity.

Pour in melted and cooled butter. The butter can be replaced with a neutral-tasting vegetable oil.

Pouring melted butter into the crepe batter

Mix in the melted butter to make the crepes pliable and to prevent them from sticking to the pan.

Mix the batter thoroughly with a whisk or an immersion blender until no flour lumps remain. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.

Smooth, lump-free crepe batter resting in a bowl

Mix until smooth and lump-free, then let the batter rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.

After half an hour, pour boiling water into the batter, mix well, and you are ready to start cooking the crepes.

Pouring boiling water into resting crepe batter

Pour boiling water into the batter and stir quickly—this technique gives the crepes their delicate, lacy texture.

Preheat a skillet well. Lightly grease it with a thin layer of neutral vegetable oil using a silicone brush. Pour a small ladle of batter into the pan, tilting and swirling until it forms a round, hole-free crepe. Cook over high heat until golden brown on both sides.

Cooking a thin round crepe in a hot skillet

Cook the crepes over high heat until they turn a beautiful golden brown on both sides.

Stack the finished crepes to keep them warm. I recommend covering the stack with a clean kitchen towel.

A stack of freshly cooked thin golden crepes

Stack the cooked crepes on a plate. You can cover them with a towel so they stay hot longer.

Once the batter is gone and you have a neat stack of crepes, you can move on to the filling. Place a tablespoon of fruit or berry jam on each crepe, spreading it to within about 2 centimeters (3/4 inch) of the edges.

Spreading fruit jam over a thin crepe

Spread a tablespoon of your favorite berry or fruit jam evenly across the surface of the crepe.

Fold the crepes into triangles with the jam inside. Place them in a skillet with some melted butter, 4 at a time. Pan-fry over medium heat until lightly browned and crispy.

Pan-frying folded triangular crepes in a skillet

Fold the crepes into triangles and pan-fry them in a little butter for a wonderful crispy edge.

Stack the freshly browned, jam-filled crepes on a plate.

Stack of golden folded crepes on a plate

The lightly browned, jam-filled crepes are ready for their final presentation.

Dust the jam crepes with powdered sugar right before serving. These are absolutely delicious paired with cold milk or cream. Enjoy!

Sprinkling powdered sugar over crepes through a fine sieve

Before serving, dust the dessert generously with powdered sugar for added sweetness and an elegant look.

To make your jam-filled crepes look like they came from a top-tier cafe, try serving them not just with powdered sugar, but alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of thick smetana (sour cream). The cultured tang of the sour cream perfectly balances the sweetness of the fruit filling, while melting ice cream creates a delightful temperature contrast against the hot pastry. If you want a special touch, garnish with fresh berries or a mint sprig for a pop of freshness and visual appeal.

For those who love to experiment, you can easily adapt these crepes to suit different tastes: try adding a little lemon or orange zest to the batter for a bright citrus aroma. If you don't have whey on hand, confidently use kefir thinned with a bit of water, or regular milk. Just don't skip the step of "brewing" the batter with boiling water—that's what creates those famous, delicate little holes. Leftover crepes can be stored in the refrigerator; just warm them through in a bit of butter before serving to restore their original crispness and tenderness.