Description
Karpatka, or Polish Carpathian Mountain Cream Cake, is a beloved dessert that showcases the charm of traditional Polish baking. This delightful treat features layers of crisp choux pastry filled with a rich diplomat cream, offering a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Ideal for any occasion—from festive celebrations to intimate family dinners—Karpatka is sure to impress your guests with its stunning appearance and luscious taste. The recipe is approachable for bakers of all skill levels, making it a go-to choice for those looking to wow their friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup Milk
- ½ cup Water
- 80 g Unsalted Butter
- ½ tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 150 g All-purpose Flour
- 4 Eggs
- 2 cups Milk
- 2 Eggs
- ⅔ cup Sugar
- 50 g Cornstarch
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- ¾ cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). In a saucepan, combine milk, water, butter, salt, and sugar; heat until boiling.
- Remove from heat, add flour all at once, and stir until smooth. Cool slightly before adding eggs one at a time.
- Spread half the mixture in a lined baking dish and bake for about 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Repeat with remaining mixture.
- For the diplomat cream, heat milk in a saucepan. Whisk eggs with sugar and cornstarch in a bowl; temper with heated milk. Return to heat until thickened, then stir in vanilla extract and butter.
- Once layers are cool, assemble by placing one layer on a plate, spreading cream over it, and topping with the second layer.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (100g)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Use fresh ingredients to enhance flavor. Chill the cream filling before assembling for better texture. Monitor baking times closely to avoid overbaking.