Make your cakes stand out with this fantastic mascarpone frosting for cake! Creamy, firm, and ready in under 3 minutes, it's the ultimate choice for everyday bakers looking to switch up from buttercream on their birthday cakes.
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Introducing this perfect mascarpone frosting for cake, the perfect swap for anyone tired of the usual Swiss meringue buttercream or chocolate ganache cake frosting. It's your go-to for achieving that beautifully smooth finish on your birthday cakes.
This frosting will be perfect on your layer cake, as creamy and smooth as mascarpone whipped cream but with a firmer texture for perfect smoothing and beautiful piping decorations on your cakes like in this strawberry mascarpone layer cake.
With simple ingredients and ready in less than 3 minutes, you'll have a delicious frosting that you can finally enjoy eating.
Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredients you need
You will need these ingredients to make this mascarpone couverture cream:
- Mascarpone: Use cold mascarpone cheese (not light mascarpone).
- Heavy Cream: Use heavy cream with at least 30% fat content and also make sure it's cold.
- Powdered Sugar: Use only powdered sugar, not granulated sugar, to maintain a smooth texture.
- Vanilla: Optional for flavoring, but be mindful of the quantity if you want to keep the frosting white.
- Thickener: Optionally, you can add cornstarch to thicken and firm up the texture.
How To Make Mascarpone Frosting For Cake
Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the main recipe card below!
Step 1: Place all the ingredients in a large bowl - cold mascarpone, cold heavy cream, sifted powdered sugar, and vanilla.
Step 2: Beat with an electric mixer on medium-low speed for about 1 minute until the mixture is thick and firm.
How To Use This Frosting
- Assemble your layer cake as usual. (You can use the mascarpone frosting to create a border around the edges of the cake layers to seal in the filling in the center of the cake).
- First, apply a thin layer of frosting to trap the crumbs.
- Then, apply a thicker layer first with a spatula, then smooth using a straight-edged steel frosting smoother.
Tips for this recipe
Storage instructions
In the fridge: The mascarpone frosting can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
Freezing: You can freeze the cake covered with mascarpone frosting for up to 1 month. However, the frosting alone cannot be frozen as its texture will be altered after thawing.
Variations & Substitutions
Recipe Questions
Can this frosting for layer cakes be colored?
Yes, you can add gel food coloring, preferably, to color the frosting according to the theme or occasion. Make sure to add the coloring gradually to achieve the desired shade.
Can this frosting be flavored with other flavors?
Yes, you can customize this frosting by adding vanilla extract, almond extract, lemon or orange zest, or even cocoa powder for a chocolate flavor. Be cautious with excess liquids as they could alter the texture of the frosting.
More Cake Frostings
I hope you love this mascarpone cake frosting recipe. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!
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Mascarpone Frosting For Cake
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 10 portions
Description
Firm mascarpone frosting recipe for cake ready in 3 minutes (for smoothing and decorating the outside of a 6 inch/ 15 cm cake)
Ingredients
- 500 g (17.6 oz) Mascarpone cheese - cold
- 250 g (1 cup) Heavy cream - cold
- 110 g (1 cup) Powdered sugar - sifted
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract - optional for flavoring
- 1-2 tbsp Cornstarch - optional for firming up
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the mascarpone, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 1 minute until you achieve a smooth and thick texture.
- If you desire a firmer texture, gradually add the cornstarch while continuing to whisk until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
- Refrigerate the mascarpone frosting until ready to use for smoothing your layer cake.
Notes
Refrigerator storage: Store Mascarpone frosting in an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Freezing: You can freeze the cake covered with mascarpone frosting, but bear in mind that the texture of the frosting may be altered after thawing. It's better to freeze the whole cake rather than just the frosting, as the frosting cannot be whipped again after thawing.
Flavoring: You can personalize the frosting by adding different flavors to suit your preferences. For example, add vanilla or almond extract. For a fruity touch, add grated lemon or orange zest. For a more intense flavor, add cocoa powder or instant coffee dissolved in a small amount of hot water. Be sure to taste and adjust the quantities to suit your personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Category: frosting
- Cuisine: American
Can I add a drip ganache finish with this frosting?
Hi!
It’s better to use a ganache for the drip instead of this frosting. (Chocolate: 1:1 equal parts chocolate and cream).
Let it cool slightly before dripping. Hope that helps!
Im planning on making this frosting this weekend and I was wondering if it would work for decorating with a pipe?
Thank you!
Hi!
This is a firmer mascarpone frosting, great for smoothing the outside of a cake. You can use it for piping decorations, but it won’t be as firm as buttercream. For best results, keep it chilled after piping!
Let me know how it turns out!