Refreshing cake with mascarpone and berries

Refreshing cake with mascarpone and berries

When it comes to desserts, nothing compares to a refreshing cake, full of fresh flavors and delicious textures. This mascarpone and berry cake recipe is perfect for hot summer days, having a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity. Whether you want to impress your guests or treat yourself, this cake is the ideal choice. Let’s start the culinary adventure!

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients

Cream 1
- 100 ml sweet cream for whipping
- 250 g mascarpone
- ½ pack of whipping stabilizer
- 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar
- ½ of apricots, finely chopped
- 4 tablespoons apricot puree

Cream 2
- 600 g berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)
- 250 g mascarpone
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- 300 ml liquid cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 10 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons powdered vanilla sugar
- ½ pack of whipping stabilizer
- 1 teaspoon cognac

Chocolate ganache
- 150 ml cream
- 150 g chocolate (100 g dark and 50 g milk)
- ½ bunch of fresh mint
- 1 pinch of cardamom
- 1 teaspoon cognac

Cake base
- 6 eggs
- 12 tablespoons sugar
- 24 tablespoons flour (not too full, taken with a tip and shaken)
- 8 tablespoons cold water
- 2 tablespoons cognac
- 1 pinch of baking powder
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- Vanilla essence
- 1 teaspoon orange zest

Decoration
- 300 g fruits for decoration (strawberries, peaches, etc.)
- 1 jar of strawberry jam
- 1 large peach compote

Preparation

Step 1: Preparing the cake base
1. Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. Prepare a 26 cm pan by greasing it with butter and dusting with flour to prevent sticking.
2. In a bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until they become a whitish cream. Gradually add the water, mixing continuously.
3. In another bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder and, after it becomes a homogeneous mixture, add it to the yolk mixture. Don’t worry if the dough seems denser.
4. Beat the egg whites at room temperature until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold them into the dough using a spatula to avoid losing air.
5. Pour the mixture into the pan and bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool.

Step 2: Preparing the creams
1. Cream 1: Whip the cold cream until it starts to thicken, then add the sugar and whipping stabilizer. In another bowl, mix the mascarpone. Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone, adding the chopped apricots and apricot puree.
2. Cream 2: Let the berries thaw for 5-6 hours. Drizzle them with two tablespoons of cognac. In a cold bowl, whip the cream with the stabilizer and sugar until firm. In another bowl, mix the mascarpone with the vanilla sugar and vanilla essence. Mash the berries with a fork and add them to the mascarpone, along with 4-5 tablespoons of whipped cream.
3. In the drained syrup from the fruits, mix the powdered sugar and a little compote juice.

Step 3: Preparing the ganache
1. In a blender, blend the mint with a little water and ice cubes. In a saucepan, melt the chocolate with the cream over low heat, stirring continuously. Finally, add the cognac and drained mint, then let it cool and whip until fluffy.

Step 4: Assembling the cake
1. Cut the cake into 3 layers. Divide the syrup into 3 equal parts and soak each layer.
2. On the first layer, spread a layer of strawberry jam, followed by a layer of cream 2. Continue with the second layer, repeating the process.
3. Cover the cake with the remaining cream and decorate it with the chocolate ganache. Use cream 1 with apricots to add a final layer of flavor.
4. Decorate with fresh fruits and let the cake chill in the refrigerator before serving.

Useful tips
- For a sweeter cake: you can add more sugar to the creams or syrup. You can also use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate.
- Alternative fruit option: instead of berries, you can use peaches or mango for a tropical flavor.
- Serving ideas: this cake pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a caramel sauce. Additionally, a glass of prosecco or fresh lemonade would perfectly complement this dessert.

Nutritional benefits
This cake contains proteins from mascarpone and eggs, as well as antioxidants from the berries, offering a delicious taste without being overly heavy. So don’t hesitate to indulge yourself!

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use other types of cream?
Yes, you can use plant-based cream or lactose-free alternatives, but make sure to check the label to ensure it whips well.

2. Can I prepare the cake in advance?
Absolutely, the cake can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. The flavors blend better as it cools.

3. What can I do if I don’t have a whipping stabilizer?
Try using gelatin or reduce the amount of cream to achieve a firmer consistency.

This refreshing cake with mascarpone and berries is a true delicacy, perfect for enjoying with loved ones. So, don’t hesitate! Put on your apron and start this culinary adventure!