
Polish Papal Cake, known in Poland as kremówka papieska, is one of the most beloved Polish desserts. It’s a simple yet impressive cake made with crisp layers of puff pastry filled with a generous amount of vanilla custard cream and finished with powdered sugar on top. Kremówka is strongly associated with Pope John Paul II, because it was his favorite dessert. The dessert became famous in 1999 during a visit of Pope John Paul II to his hometown of Wadowice. During a speech to young people, the Pope reminisced about finishing school exams and celebrating with friends by eating kremówka from a local bakery. He joked that they ate so many slices that they felt sick afterwards. After that moment, bakeries across Poland began proudly selling kremówka papieska, and the dessert quickly became a national symbol of sweet nostalgia.
Polish Papal Cream Cake Recipe {Kremówka Papieska}
Polish Papal Cream Cake {Kremówka Papieska}
Ingredients
- Puff pastry
- 4 c / 480 g of all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp of salt
- ½ c / 110 g of cold butter cut into cubes
- 1 c / 235 ml of cold water
- Cream filling
- 3 c / 750 ml of milk
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 4 egg yolks
- ⅔ c / 130 g of granulated sugar
- ½ c / 60 g of all-purpose flour
- ½ c / 60 g of potato (or corn) starch
- 1⅓ c / 300 g of butter at room temperature
- Additionally → Powdered sugar
Instructions
In a food processor, place flour, salt, and about half of the butter; pulse a few times to
combine. Add the rest of the butter, pulse a few more times. Next, add water and process
just until combined. Transfer onto a floured surface and fold a few times to smooth
the dough. Divide into two equal parts and roll each out to about 1/4-inch / 1-centimeter
thickness. Fold twice to create a square or a rectangle, cover it with plastic and chill for
1 hour.In the meantime, prepare cream filling: place milk in a medium saucepan, add vanilla
extract and start heating. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar until pale and
fluffy, then add flour and starch, mix until well combined.When milk comes to a boil, remove from heat. Pour a small part of hot milk into
egg mixture, mix. Next, transfer egg and milk mixture into the hot saucepan with
the remaining milk. Whisk and continue heating to bring to boil (you’ve just made home-
made pudding). Turn off, cover with plastic foil so it is touching, and cool completely.Place pudding in the bowl of a stand mixer and start whisking. Add butter a tablespoon at
a time and keep whisking until fluffy.When dough is done resting, preheat oven to 375℉ / 190 ℃, and line a 9 x 13-
inch / 24 x 35-centimeter baking pan with parchment paper. Roll each dough part out
to fit the bottom of the pan. Bake each dough layer for about 20–25 minutes. Take out
and cool.Transfer cream filling onto one of the dough layers and cover with the second one. Chill
in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with a generous dose of powdered sugar before
serving.
Papal Cream Cake Recipe
Tips for Making Perfect Kremówka
If you plan to make Polish Papal Cake at home, a few small tips make a big difference:
You can use premade puff pastry to cut on prep time.
High-quality puff pastry gives the cake its signature crisp layers.
Chill before cutting
Let the cake rest in the refrigerator for a few hours so the custard sets.
Cut with a serrated knife
This helps prevent the pastry from cracking when slicing.
Dust with powdered sugar right before serving
It keeps the top looking fresh and beautiful.
This recipe is included in the newest Polish dessert cookbook “Polish Your Kitchen; Sweet Traditions” – also available in ebook format HERE. RECipe for Polish cookies
Please let me know how this recipe turned out for you! Join my Facebook group: Polish Your Kitchen – Show your Polish cooking
Happy cooking and smacznego! recipe for Polish cookies
From Poland with love!
Anna
Papal Cream Cake Recipe
Papal Cream Cake Recipe
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