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Welcome to a delectable journey through the world of mascarpone cakes! If you’re a fan of creamy, luscious desserts, you’re in for a treat. Mascarpone, an Italian cream cheese known for its rich texture and slightly sweet flavour, is the star ingredient in these 21 mouthwatering mascarpone cake recipes… and I think you’re going to love them.
21 Mascarpone Cake Recipes
Whether you’re looking for a simple, elegant cake for a dinner party or a show-stopping centrepiece for a special celebration, you’ll find inspiration here. From classic combinations to inventive twists, these recipes will elevate your baking game and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Whether it’s a sweet treat for two or dessert for the family, you’ll find a little bit of everything. So, without any further delay, let’s dive right in, shall we?
1: Orange and Almond Cake with Citrus Mascarpone
Serves: 8
Time: 2 hours cooking + 30 minutes preparation
Gluten-Free & Low in Salt.
This isn’t the easiest of these mascarpone cake recipes, but it certainly is worth every minute and ounce of effort! Described as yummy, moist, light, orangey, and freezable, several of the reviewers who tried and tested the recipe said that they would never have known the cake was gluten-free, but you do need to ensure that the baking powder you use is gluten-free, too.
It’s always the little things that catch you out, right?
2: Chocolate Mocha Tiramisu Icebox Cake
Serves: 12
Time: 30 minutes
No Bake.
One of the best things about this no bake mascarpone treat is that you can make it up to two days before you plan to serve it. Just pop it in the fridge, completely covered, and take it out a few minutes before you plan to add the garnish, cut, then serve.
In case you were wondering, an “icebox cake” is one that doesn’t require any heat or cooking – what we here in the UK would call no-bake. The icebox refers to the fridge and using the appliance to set the dessert. You learn something new every day, right?
3: Sticky Ginger Cake with Mascarpone and Ginger Cream
Serves: 16
Time: 35 minutes cooking + 25 minutes preparation
A traditional ginger and treacle cake is given a new lease of life with the addition of mascarpone and ginger cream, and it’s the perfect dessert for a cooler autumn evening. The reviews are great, too: “sticky and light,” “turned out perfectly,” and “absolutely fantastic.” With 342 calories per serving, it’s both warming and satisfying.
I know that because I have made it myself!
4: Raspberry Layer Cake
By Emma Lewis, BBC Good Food
Serves: 6-8
Time: 20 minutes cooking + 45 minutes preparation + overnight chilling
From autumn to summer, and what a summery little treat it is! You’ve got a beautiful, light, and airy sponge cake combined with an amaretto syrup, all finished off with a raspberry, mascarpone, and double cream fluffy filling. It’s important to note that this recipe is classified as easy. The creator describes it as “more effort,” so it’s one you’ll likely want to practice beforehand.
That’s what I’d do, anyway.
5: Lemon Mascarpone Layer Cake
Serves: 12-14 slices
Time: 35 minutes cooking time + 2 hours preparation time
If you’ve been looking for mascarpone cake recipes that’ll be perfect for spring, summer, Mother’s Day, a birthday, or any other kind of occasion that calls for a really beautiful cake, you can stop looking now. This treat consists of three layers of light and airy lemon sponge, filled with a mascarpone cheese frosting and tart lemon curd. You could always add two layers instead of three, of course… but who would intentionally opt for less cake? That sounds like madness to me.
6: Easy Carrot Cake with Orange Mascarpone Cream
Serves: 12
Time: 40 minutes cooking + 5 minutes preparation
This simple carrot cake recipe with orange mascarpone cream is perfect for when you want to whip up a dessert that looks like it took you lots of effort to make… but actually doesn’t take barely any effort at all. Described as rich, creamy, soft, and easy, the mascarpone cake will last for up to three days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. You can even make it in advance and freeze it!
7: Red Wine Chocolate Cupcakes
Serves: 12 cupcakes
Time: 18 minutes cooking + 15 minutes preparation
These moist and rich chocolate cupcakes are perfect for Valentine’s Day, a date, or any other occasion that calls for deliciously boozy treats. Obviously, these ones are not for children. The chocolate cupcakes are infused with a rich red wine, and the mascarpone comes in the form of coloured icing on the top.
8: Baked Pineapple and Ginger Cake with Muscovado Sugar and Mascarpone Sorbet
By Robert Thompson, Great British Chefs
Serves: 6
Time: 1 hour and 30 mins
If you’re looking for a taste of the Caribbean in your mascarpone cake recipes, this absolute treat is most definitely one to consider. The mascarpone sorbet really brings something new to the table with this dessert, and it’s easier than you’d think to create. Speaking of creating, this lush cake was created by Robert Thompson, a multi award-winning chef – so you know it’s going to be good!
9: Mascarpone Mixed Berry Cake
Serves: 7
Time: 47 minutes cooking time + 15 minutes preparation
This is another of the mascarpone cake recipes that would be perfect for spring, summer, and sunny days alongside birthdays, Mother’s Day, and a whole host of other events. The creator of the recipe suggests not only enjoying this cake as a post-dinner treat, but also as a breakfast item… which suits me just fine. I’m a big fan of cake for breakfast, aren’t you?
10: Lemon Meringue Fridge Cake
By Cassie Best, BBC Good Food
Serves: 12
Time: 35 minutes preparation + 8 hours chilling
Vegetarian + nut-free.
This summer-ready dessert requires absolutely zero cooking time, but you must factor in those eight hours of chilling time. The tangy fridge cake is nut-free and vegetarian-friendly, layering mascarpone cheese with biscuits, meringues, double cream, lemon (curd, zest, and juice,) and plenty of other sweet stuff that guarantees a delicious dessert.
11: Apple Pie Cake Roll with Mascarpone Filling
Serves: 4-5
Time: 10 minutes cooking + 40 minutes prep time + 1 hour chilling time
This delicious cake roll (Swiss roll for us Brits) mixes a vanilla sponge with apple pie filling, finished off with a creamy mascarpone layer. Roll it up, dust it with icing sugar, then drizzle salted caramel sauce, and you have an autumnal dessert that would also work perfectly on the Christmas dinner table. You could replace the sauce with toffee, apple, or any other kind of accompanying flavour you like.
12: Cappuccino Cake
By Jane Hornby, BBC Good Food
Serves: 12
Time: 30 minutes cooking + 15 minutes preparation
Low in salt + freezable.
Do you need mascarpone cake recipes for a bake sale, coffee morning, or similar event? I think this cappuccino cake is perfect for such an occasion, and plenty of other occasions, too. The sponge is freezable, which means that you can make it in advance. Once decorated, you can keep it in the fridge, covered, for up to three days.
13: Cranberry and Walnut Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
Serves: 10
Time: 35 minutes cooking time + 15 minutes preparation
It must be said that mascarpone isn’t the best ingredient if you’re looking for a low-calorie dish. It has a high fat content and, in turn, a high calorie count. Often described as a “sweet” Italian cheese, it is most commonly used in desserts such as tiramisu or with fruits in tarts. It does make for a rich sauce for savoury pasta dishes or even in rich gnocchi.
14: No-Bake Tiramisu Ice Cake
Serves: 12
Time: 2 hours cooking + 20 minutes preparation
Here’s a great tip when working with mascarpone cheese, provided by expert bakers and chefs: make sure that you leave the mascarpone cheese on the counter (covered, of course) for a few minutes before working with it. Bringing the cheese to room temperature will make it easier to work with than when it is cold, straight from the fridge.
15: Parsnip and Maple Syrup Cake
Serves: 8
Time: 45 minutes cooking time + 20 minutes preparation
This recipe is classed as easy, if that’s the thing kind of thing you’re looking for. And I know what you’re thinking: Parsnips in a cake? Really? Yes, parsnips in a cake. It’s not so strange. Carrot cake would seem strange to some, but I think it’s utterly delicious. Low in salt, freezable (just the sponge cakes,) and a great way to use up some leftover veg – I think you should definitely give it a try.
16: Strawberry Lemon Charlotte Cake
Serves: 8-10
Time: 30 minutes preparation
No-bake.
This delightfully fruity Charlotte cake is the perfect thing for a spring or summer get-together, with a tangy combination of sweet strawberries and lemon, with lemon cream, ladyfingers biscuits, and lots of luscious summery goodness! For what it’s worth I also think this cake would be great for Mother’s Day, birthdays, or other happy occasions set in the warmer months of the year.
17: Coffee and Walnut Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
By Sarah Cook, BBC Good Food
Serves: 10
Time: 30 minutes cooking + 45 minutes preparation + 1 hour (approx.) cooling time
Easy + freezable + low in salt.
The humble coffee and walnut cake is a classic at many an afternoon tea table across the United Kingdom, and definitely at my house. What makes this version so much richer and more luxurious than the rest is the addition of a wonderful frosting that’s made with mascarpone, icing sugar, and double cream. With 620 calories per slice (if you cut 10 slices,) it’s definitely one you’ll want to save for a treat day!
18: Cannoli Layer Cake
Serves: 14-16
Time: 21 minutes cooking + 15 minutes preparation
With a ricotta and mascarpone filling inside a cinnamon-flavoured cake that is bouncy, fluffy, and covered in chocolate chips, this cannoli layer cake will bring a smile to everyone’s face, and it’s the perfect size for a bigger event or occasion. I feel that it’s important to mention that each slice has upwards of 700 calories, so if you’re on a calorie-counting diet, this one is going to take up a large chunk of your daily allowance.
We all deserve a treat every now and then, though. Right?
19: Coffee and Pecan Cake
Serves: 10
Time: 20 minutes cooking + 25 minutes preparation + 5-10 minutes cooling
Boozy + not for kids.
Indulgent, irresistible, and fluffy – those are just three words used to describe this coffee and pecan cake, infused with a coffee liqueur such as Kahlua or Tia Maria. The sponges are flavoured with coffee and pecan nut, with a filling and icing made from mascarpone infused with coffee. Finish things off with a sprinkling of chopped or crushed pecans plus coffee beans for a sophisticated and elegant cake treat.
20: Cookies and Cream Fridge Cake
By Cassie Best, BBC Good Food
Serves: 12-14
Time: 20 minutes preparation + 24 hours cooling
No bake + vegetarian.
Another fridge cake (no-bake,) but this time we’re talking cookies and cream, which is one of my absolute favourite ice cream flavours. You won’t need to touch the oven with this tasty hot weather treat, but you will need to factor in the 24 hours of cooling time. The last thing you’ll want to do is make it on the day and serve up a sloppy mess because you didn’t read the instructions beforehand.
We’ve all been there, don’t worry!
21: Mini Tiramisu Cakes
By Victoria Glass, Great British Chefs
Serves: 6
Time: 10-15 minutes cooking + 30 minutes preparation + 2-6 hours cooling
With the addition of Masala wine, dark run, and espresso, this definitely isn’t the kind of recipe you’d want to serve up to the kids – but it certainly will make the grownups around the table happy! Inspired by the Great British Bake Off, the recipe has been simplified to make it easier to whip up than other tiramisu-style desserts.
Mascarpone Cake Recipes: Conclusion
There you have them – 21 divine mascarpone cake recipes that promise to delight your taste buds and impress your guests. From the simplicity of a mascarpone no-bake cake to the elegance of a mini tiramisu cakes, each recipe offers a unique way to enjoy this luxurious ingredient.
So, why not indulge in a bit of culinary creativity and try one of these sensational cakes? Your dessert table will never be the same again.
Happy baking!
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