Zagrebačka Kremšnita - Heavenly Croatian Cream Cake

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) puff pastry 500g (4 cups) puff pastry
• 1 liter (4 cups) milk 1 liter (4 cups) milk
• 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 100g (1/2 cup) all-purpose flour 100g (1/2 cup) all-purpose flour
• 6 egg yolks 6 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 42g, 20g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. 2.
   Roll out the puff pastry into two equal rectangles and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. 3.
   Prick the pastry with a fork to prevent it from puffing up too much during baking.
4. 4.
   Bake the pastry for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Let it cool completely.
5. 5.
   In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it starts to simmer.
6. 6.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, and egg yolks until well combined.
7. 7.
   Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
8. 8.
   Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens into a custard-like consistency.
9. 9.
   Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and lemon zest.
10. 10.
    Place one layer of the baked puff pastry in a rectangular baking dish.
11. 11.
    Pour the vanilla cream over the pastry layer, spreading it evenly.
12. 12.
    Top with the second layer of puff pastry.
13. 13.
    Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld together.
14. 14.
    Before serving, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar.
15. 15.
    Cut into squares and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Puff pastry — Ensure that the puff pastry is properly thawed before rolling it out. If using store-bought puff pastry, follow the package instructions for thawing. Homemade puff pastry can also be used for a more authentic touch.
• Lemon zest — Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, making sure to only grate the outer yellow layer and avoiding the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For a twist, you can add a layer of whipped cream between the vanilla cream and the top puff pastry layer.
• Serve the kremšnita chilled for the best taste and texture.
• To achieve a crispy puff pastry, make sure to prick it with a fork before baking to release steam.
• Dust the powdered sugar just before serving to maintain its visual appeal.
• Store any leftovers in the refrigerator, but note that the pastry may lose some of its crispness over time.

Serving advice

Serve each slice of Zagrebačka kremšnita on a dessert plate, accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of grated chocolate or cocoa powder for an extra touch of indulgence.

Presentation advice

To present the Zagrebačka kremšnita beautifully, dust the entire cake with powdered sugar and use a sharp knife to cut clean, even squares. Place each square on a dessert plate and garnish with a mint leaf or a dusting of cocoa powder for an elegant touch.