{"id":"krempita_9652cc5746","slug":"krempita-vanilla-custard-cake","title":"Krempita (Vanilla Custard Cake)","description":"A classic Eastern European delight consisting of thick, velvety vanilla custard sandwiched between layers of light, flaky puff pastry. This version features a traditional airy filling made by folding whipped egg whites into hot custard.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"400g puff pastry (2 sheets)","name":"Puff Pastry","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":14.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"sheets","notes":"Thawed if frozen","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 liter whole milk","name":"Milk","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"qt","form":"liquid","notes":"Whole milk preferred for richness","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"6 large eggs, separated","name":"Egg","quantity":6,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":6,"usUnit":"piece","form":"separated","notes":"Large","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"200g granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"Divided into two 100g portions","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"100g cornstarch","name":"Cornstarch","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tbsp vanilla extract","name":"Vanilla Extract","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"Or 2 packets of vanilla sugar","group":"Custard","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"250ml heavy cream","name":"Cream","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"For the optional whipped cream layer","group":"Topping","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"Powdered sugar for dusting","name":"Sugar","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"powdered","notes":"To taste for decoration","group":"Topping","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). Roll out the puff pastry sheets and prick them all over with a fork to prevent excessive rising. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Set aside to cool.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with 100g (1/2 cup) of sugar, the cornstarch, and 200ml (3/4 cup) of the milk until smooth.","group":"Custard Base","title":"Whisk the egg yolks","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Custard Base"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Pour the remaining 800ml of milk and vanilla extract into a large pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.","group":"Custard Base","title":"Pour the remaining 800ml of milk and vanilla extract","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Custard Base"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Once the milk is simmering, slowly whisk in the egg yolk mixture. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, for 3-5 minutes until the custard becomes very thick. Remove from heat.","group":"Custard Base","title":"Once the milk is simmering, slowly whisk","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Custard Base"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining 100g (1/2 cup) of sugar until stiff peaks form.","group":"Custard Base","title":"Beat the egg whites","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Custard Base"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Gently fold the stiff egg whites into the hot custard using a spatula until well combined and light.","group":"Assembly","title":"Gently fold the stiff egg whites","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Place one baked pastry sheet in the bottom of a deep baking dish. Pour the hot custard over it and smooth the top. Let it cool completely.","group":"Assembly","title":"Place one baked pastry sheet","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Optional: Once the custard is cold, whip the heavy cream and spread it over the custard layer.","group":"Assembly","title":"Optional: Once the custard is cold, whip the heavy cream","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-9","text":"Cut the second pastry sheet into 12 equal squares. Arrange them on top of the custard (or cream). Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.","group":"Assembly","title":"Cut the second pastry sheet","timerMinutes":240,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-10","text":"Just before serving, dust generously with powdered sugar.","group":"Assembly","title":"Just before serving, dust generously","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"}],"notes":"For the cleanest slices, cut the top layer of baked puff pastry into squares before placing it on top of the custard. This prevents the filling from squishing out when you serve it. Chilling overnight is ideal for the best texture.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan","Serbian","Croatian"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake","boil"],"equipment":["Baking dish","Whisk","Pot","Electric mixer","Spatula","Oven"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["milk","eggs","wheat","gluten"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":12,"unit":"slice","note":"Standard rectangular baking dish yield"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"This dessert must be made ahead as it requires several hours to set in the fridge."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in the refrigerator covered with foil or plastic wrap. Best eaten within 2 days to maintain pastry crispness.","reheatingNotes":"Serve cold. Do not reheat."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkrempita_9652cc5746%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4184fbd4-4855-4e19-8e1d-7fdee84ed91c","imageAlt":"Krempita (Vanilla Custard Cake) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["custard","vanilla slice","balkan dessert","puff pastry","cremeschnitte"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Krempita (Vanilla Custard Cake)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:37:46.626Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:37:46.626Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_a5ad8ae0d0","slug":"kysil","title":"Kysil","description":"A traditional Ukrainian fruit drink thickened with starch, offering a smooth, velvety texture and vibrant berry flavor.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["dessert","sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_a5ad8ae0d0%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d0b37907-2b48-4d5c-9e4c-f8c226144ba1","imageAlt":"Kysil — recipe cover","tags":["kysil","fruit drink","berry dessert","ukrainian recipe","gluten-free drink"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"palacinke_aafe8b93f5","slug":"palacinke-eastern-european-crepes","title":"Palačinke (Eastern European Crepes)","description":"Thin, delicate, and versatile Eastern European crepes that can be served sweet with jam or savory with cheese. Unlike American pancakes, these are much thinner and larger, perfect for rolling or folding.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan","Central European"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpalacinke_aafe8b93f5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac5688a7-9fa8-4211-9d8f-90610bdd5007","imageAlt":"Palačinke (Eastern European Crepes) — recipe cover","tags":["crepes","pancakes","breakfast","thin pancakes","european food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":7},{"id":"recipe_c63e34da8a","slug":"baklava","title":"Baklava","description":"A rich, indulgent Eastern European dessert featuring layers of crisp, buttery filo pastry, a spiced walnut filling, and a luscious honey-lemon syrup.","serves":24,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c63e34da8a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8f3b0d6b-0a3b-433e-a4f1-6cdeb23e3115","imageAlt":"Baklava — recipe cover","tags":["honey","nuts","pastry","sweet","layered"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":8}]}