Mille Crepes Cake and Other Recipes for Japanese Girls Day

Yesterday, March 3rd, was Girls Day in Japan, known in Japanese as Hinamatsuri. It is a day when all families with girls in the house celebrate by placing special dolls on display that, according to superstition, will ensure the girls’ happy marriage when they grow up.

The dolls are supposed to be displayed throughout February and then, on March 4th, promptly packaged up and stored away — otherwise, the daughters may never get married. I have to say that in our Japanese-American household, we don’t follow traditions very carefully, and we usually forget to wrap up the dolls and put them away until March 8th, or 10th, or maybe even the 15th…. All we can say to our daughter is, good luck! 😉

Nonetheless, we did celebrate Hinamatsuri with a very traditional meal this year, prepared by Kyo’s lovely cousin Natsuko. She made a classic Japanese meal of Chirashizushi (scattered sushi), Goma-ae (Spinach and Sesame Salad), and Karaage (Japanese fried chicken). And for dessert, a Mille Crepes cake — yes, it is a French, not a Japanese dessert, but anybody who’s been in Japan can tell you that the Japanese have completely co-opted French patisserie.

I found good recipes online for all the dishes, in case you’re interested:

I couldn’t find an easy Mille Crepes Cake recipe like the one that Natsuko made, so here is my “Cliff Notes” version:

Easy Mille Crepes Cake

20 crepes (store-bought, or make your own)
whipped cream
strawberry sauce (macerate chopped strawberries in sugar until they become juicy and soft)
powdered sugar

Put a crepe in the center of a serving platter and spread it with a thin layer of whipped cream. Add another crepe on top and spread it with another thin layer of whipped cream. Repeat until you reach the last crepe.
Sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar. Slice into serving pieces and top with fresh strawberry sauce.