Matcha mille crêpe cake

Instructions

1. Step 1

   For the cream, mix the gelatine powder with 20ml water and leave to stand at room temperature for 10 mins. Put in the fridge for a further 10 mins.

2. Step 2

   Put the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl, then put 175g of the cream and the vanilla bean paste in a small saucepan over a medium heat and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for a minute. Stir the gelatine mixture into the hot cream until it melts.

3. Step 3

   Pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate and leave to melt for 1-2 mins, then stir until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Pour in the remaining 400ml cream and stir again to combine. Pour the cream mixture into a container and cover with compostable cling film or baking parchment, ensuring it's touching the surface. Chill for at least 4 hrs, or preferably overnight.

4. Step 4

   To make the crêpes, warm the milk, cream and sugar in a small, deep pan over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and is warm to the touch.

5. Step 5

   Crack the eggs into a large bowl and gradually pour in the warm milk mixture, whisking continuously. Pour in the cooled melted butter and whisk together.

6. Step 6

   Sieve half of the flour and matcha into the bowl with a pinch of salt, and whisk until smooth. Then, sieve over the rest and gently whisk until just combined. Don’t over-mix the batter. Cover and leave to rest in the fridge for 1 hr.

7. Step 7

   To cook, heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and brush with a thin coat of oil. Remove the batter from the fridge and stir gently before pouring a ladleful into the pan and swirling to coat evenly. Cook the crêpe for around 2 mins on each side until set and lightly browned. Repeat until you have used all the batter (you should get about eight 20cm crêpes and one larger crêpe). Set aside to cool.

8. Step 8

   To assemble the cake, put the white chocolate Chantilly in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip to soft peaks. Alternatively, you can do this with an electric whisk, or by hand. Lay the large crêpe on compostable cling film or baking parchment – this will make it easier to move later.

9. Step 9

   Spread 2-3 tbsp Chantilly cream in the centre of the first crêpe and use an offset spatula to spread and level it, leaving a 2.5cm border around the edge. Centre a smaller crêpe on top and spread over another 2-3 tbsp cream. Repeat this process to use up all the crêpes.

10. Step 10

    Carefully lift the cake into a shallow pasta bowl. The bowl will shape the cake and allow the large crêpe to curve around the edges. Chill for 1 hr, or until the cream is just set. Will keep covered in the fridge for up to three days. Once ready to serve, turn out onto a board and dust with matcha powder.