Description
Karpatka is a traditional Polish cream cake made with two layers of choux pastry filled with rich vanilla custard. Its rugged, puffed appearance mimics the Carpathian Mountains, making it both dramatic and delicious.
Ingredients
1 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and stir in flour all at once, mixing until a dough forms.
- Let the dough cool for 5–10 minutes, then beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Divide the dough evenly between the two pans and spread it out. Bake for 25–30 minutes until puffed and golden. Let both layers cool completely.
- To make the custard, whisk together milk, sugar, cornstarch, flour, and egg yolks in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened and bubbling.
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let custard cool to room temperature.
- Beat softened butter into the cooled custard until smooth and creamy.
- Place one pastry layer (bottom side up) on a serving plate, spread the custard evenly over it, then top with the second layer and press gently.
- Chill the assembled cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Chill the cake thoroughly before slicing for clean layers.
Add lemon zest to the custard for a citrusy variation.
For easier serving, use a rectangular baking dish and cut into squares.
Do not open the oven during baking to prevent the pastry from collapsing.
Best served chilled straight from the fridge.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
