What a year it has been! Today’s my blog’s 1st birthday! I can’t believe how much has happened within the past year.
I’m celebrating with a Rose Strawberry HIbiscus Mille Crepe Cake!
JOURNALING IN MY EARLY DAYS
What started out as a hobby that I didn’t take too seriously has now become such an exciting and creative outlet for me. I know I’ve always enjoyed blogging.
Even when I was a child, I would journal incessantly… I don’t know how many diaries I kept, but there was a stack before I left for University. And while I was still in University, I moved over from paper journaling to online “blogging.”
MY FORAY INTO BLOGGING/INSTAGRAM
However, after I graduated and had a proper job, I didn’t have time to blog, but still wanted to share something with the world. So I resorted to Instagram. 6 years ago, it was *really* casual — literally snap a photo in that instant and post. (How times have changed)!
I’d post photos of my food and it was nice to get encouragement and likes, but then people kept asking for recipes and I didn’t have a way of getting them out there.
ACTUALLY BUYING A DOMAIN
So after years of playing with idea of starting an actual blog, with a real domain (not “blogspot,” etc), it finally came to fruition last year when I decided that I was going to jump in with both feet. And boy am I ever glad I did.
I’ll admit, it was a quite overwhelming learning how to use WordPress, SEO, coding, and designing the blog. And I’m still learning new tech things each day. Thank goodness for plugins! It’s a constant learning, which is great for my Mom-bogged brain π
BEHIND THE SCENES
And sticking with the Mom theme, don’t let it fool you — it’s a LOT of work to maintain a blog. From conceptualizing to testing recipes, shooting, styling, and editing — it’s more than a day’s work.
Add some little kids to the mix, and you’re faced with a day-to-day balancing act to get household chores done, kids to school, and maybe a shower in for yourself. BUT, as I’ve told my husband before, to me, it doesn’t feel like work.
It’s something I feel happy to do — pushing myself to be more creative, to continue to learn things (like photography, technology, marketing), and to find and use my talent for good in this big wide world.
CONNECTING WITH THE FOOD COMMUNITY
The best part of this whole blogging experience is seeing my recipes being enjoyed with the food community, and connecting with fantastic foodies and blogger friends online.
Speaking of which, thanks to @whatannieseating, @squaremealroundtable, @joyosity and a bunch of other collaborators (90+!), they’ve chosen to showcase strawberries as the special ingredient with this amazing #strawberriesarethejam collaboration.

MAKING MY ROSE STRAWBERRY HIBISCUS MILLE CREPE CAKE
I made a Rose Strawberry Hibiscus Mille Crepe Cake in honour of my little humble blog’s 1st birthday. Imagine layers of light, thin, rose-flavoured crepes coupled with a robust strawberry hibiscus cream.
This is a showstopping dessert that’s perfectly pink for Valentine’s Day or for any celebration!
In fact, this combination was so delicious that my sons both devoured their slices. Also, my husband remarked that this mille crepe was one of the best he’s had! π
Here’s to the next year and more delicious recipes to come! What would you like to see more of? Less of? And if you make this cake, let me know — I’d love to see your recreation! Tag me @siftandsimmer on Instagram or leave a comment below. π
Rose Strawberry Hibiscus Crepe Cake
Ingredients
Crepes
- 1 C + 3 Tbsp whole milk
- 3 eggs
- 3 Tbsp avocado oil
- ¾ C all-purpose flour
- pinch salt
- ¼ C granulated sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract optional
- 1 Tbsp rose water
- oil for greasing the frying pan
Strawberry Hibiscus Puree
- 1 ½ C strawberries fresh or frozen
- ½ C hibiscus tea 1 tsp hibiscus flowers steeped in ½ C of hot water
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Pastry Cream
- 200 ml whole milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 50 g sugar
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp flour
- ½ tsp vanilla
Whipped Cream
- ¾ C heavy whipping cream
- 1 Tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
Make the Crepes
- Combine all the ingredients together in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Cover and let sit for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.
- When ready to make the crepes, remove batter from fridge.
- Use a wooden spoon and stir the mixture.
- Heat up a small 5" frying pan and grease with a little oil.
- Pour about 2 T of batter into 5" frying pan.
- Let it cook over low heat, about 1-2 minutes, flip, and continue cooking for another minute.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool.
- Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Ensure crepes are completely cool before stacking upon each other.
Strawberry Hibiscus Puree
- In a small sauce pan, add all of the ingredients and cook over low-medium heat until thickened to a jam-like consistency.
- Stir periodically. It should take about 30 minutes to reduce to about a ¼ C of puree.
Pastry Cream
- In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks with the sugar and beat with a whisk until light and yellow. Add the corn starch and flour to the mixture and mix well.
- In a small saucepan, warm up the milk over medium heat.
- When the milk is almost about to boil, reduce the heat and gradually add the milk to the eggs while whisking the eggs. Be careful not to scramble the eggs.
- Once the egg mixture has been warmed through, add it back to the saucepan and whisk over low heat until thickened.
- When the pastry cream has thickened enough (you can draw a line on the back of a spoon and it will hold its shape), place the mixture through a sieve (to remove any lumps) and into a clean bowl.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator.
Whipped Cream
- Place a wire whisk and glass bowl into the refrigerator to chill 20 minutes beforehand.
- Remove the whisk and bowl from refrigerator.
- Add the cold whipping cream and sugar to the bowl.
- Whisk until soft peaks. Set aside.
Assembly
- Make the Strawberry Hibiscus Cream by folding in the whipped heavy cream into the pastry cream.
- Use a spatula and take about ¼ C of whipped cream to lighten up the pastry cream.
- Add the remainder of the whipped cream to the pastry cream and fold it in so that no white streaks are visible.
- Next, fold in the strawberry hibiscus puree to the whipped cream/pastry cream mixture.
- Taking 1 crepe at a time, place onto a clean cake board or plate.
- Add a layer of the Strawberry Hibiscus cream, place another crepe on top and repeat.
- Cover the cake with plastic wrap and set to chill in the fridge overnight.
- Serve mille crepe cake chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
FOOD BLOGGERS PARTAKING IN #strawberriesarethejam
And here are the other bloggers partaking in #strawberriesarethejam roundup!
Square Meal Round Tableβs Roasted Balsamic Strawberry Pavlova
The Cooking of Joyβs Strawberry Matcha Cream Cheese Tart
This Healthy Tableβs Strawberry Tahini Shortcake
Flours in Your Hairβs Strawberry Milk Donuts
The Wood and Spoonβs Strawberry Icebox Pie
Smart in the Kitchenβs Rustic Strawberry Galette
My Kitchen Loveβs Strawberry Rhubarb Tart
Sift and Simmerβs Rose Strawberry Hibiscus Mille Crepe Cake
What Great Grandma Ateβs No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars (Paleo, Vegan)
A Modest Feastβs Greek Yogurt With Crispy Quinoa and Roasted Strawberries
Hola Jalapenoβs Strawberry Pink Peppercorn Margarita
Worthy Pauseβs Strawberry-Basil Shrub Cocktail
Hot Dishing It Outβs Panna Cotta with Strawberry Jelly
Figs & Flourβs Shrimp Tacos with Strawberry Apricot Salsa
Pie Girl Bakesβ Strawberry Ginger Pie
Crumb Top Bakingβs Strawberry Chia Jam Oat Bars
The Gourmandise Schoolβs Strawberry Pistachio Salad
Cook Til Deliciousβ Mini Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Ganache
Something New For Dinnerβs Watermelon, Tomato and Strawberry Salad with Burrata
A Spicy Perspectiveβs Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Cake
Easy and Delishβs Strawberry Brigadeiros
Plays Well with Butterβs Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese, Grilled Chicken, & Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Katherine in Brooklynβs Roasted Strawberry Balsamic Ice Cream
Sugar Salt Magicβs Strawberry Mousse Tart
The Healthy Sinsβ Coconut Flour Crepes Topped with Fresh Strawberries and Coconut Yogurt
Lemon Thyme and Gingerβs Strawberry Basil No Churn Ice Cream
Rezel Kealohaβs Apple Cider Rose Poached Strawberries with Thyme Flowers
Made from Scratchβs Roasted Strawberry and Basil Ice Cream
Eat Cho Foodβs Strawberry Basil Glazed Donuts
More Icing Than Cakeβs Strawberry, Balsamic & Black Pepper Babka
Farm & Coast Cookeryβs Strawberry & Thyme Shortcake
Marianne Cooksβ Strawberry Madeleines
Clean Plate Clubβs Mini Strawberry Bundt Cakes with Lemon Glaze
My Berkeley Kitchenβs Strawberry Kale Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
The Cinnamanβs Rose Hibiscus Strawberry Icebox Pie
Baking the Goodsβ Mini Strawberry Lemon Cupcakes
Fufuβs Kitchenβs Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwiches
Happy blogiversary my friend!! I can relate to absolutely everything you just wrote – including the mom-bogged brain π It is really a challenge handling day-to-day life with little kids and balancing the blog too! But that creative outlet is so worth it. I can’t wait to see what next year has in store for you! XO
Thank you very much, Katherine! So glad to have connected with you on this platform and be able to share similar experiences! Here’s to more for the both of us! π
yayayay happy blogiversary!! i love how the frilly edges of the crepes look all stacked together, and the strawberry + hibiscus combo sounds so tasty (:
Thanks Heather! Yeah, cool right? Some people cut the edges off but I kinda like it like that, all ruffly π Yes, strawberry and hibiscus are a match made in heaven!! Do try it! π
So happy to find you and very happy blogiversary ! π
Thank you so very much for your support! π
Congratulations! And what a way to celebrate with that beautiful cake. I tried one once, just to be out of my comfort zone. I was!
Thank you Mimi! Aw, it does take a bit of patience to stand at the stove making the crepes, but it’s worth it at the end! π
Happy blogiversary and cheers to the many more, Michelle! This crepe cake is so mouth-watering. Looking forward to seeing more delightful recipes!
Thank you for the kind comments, Agness! I am very proud of this crepe cake — such a delicious combination of flavours! Hope you do get a chance to try it. π
I really loved reading your journey and what brought you to the blogging world! Blogging really does take hard work and long hours but if we love it, it never feels like a job! I’m so happy for you and where your blog is today π Congratulations on this milestone (even though I’m a year late hehe) and to many more!