Creamy Mascarpone Strawberry Cake with Pistachio Crust

Mascarpone and Strawberry Cake

Category: Desserts
Servings: 8

This luscious mascarpone and strawberry cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion, offering a delightful combination of soft, spongy layers and rich, creamy mascarpone filling, topped with fresh strawberries and a delicate hint of citrus. The cake is light yet indulgent, making it an irresistible treat for family gatherings or special celebrations. Here’s how to make this divine dessert:

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sponge Cake (Pan di Spagna)
   Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F) and greasing and flouring a 22-24 cm round cake pan. In a stand mixer, combine the eggs (at room temperature) and sugar. Beat the mixture on medium speed until it becomes pale and fluffy. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, potato starch, and almond flour. Gently mix to combine without deflating the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface lightly (do not tap the pan on the counter to level the batter). Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the sponge cool for a few minutes in the pan, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Prepare the Syrup (Bagna)
   In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, lemon zest, and orange zest. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from the heat and strain the syrup to remove the zest. Set it aside to cool.

3. Make the Cream Filling
   While the sponge cake is cooling, prepare the mascarpone filling. Begin by pouring the heavy cream into a mixing bowl. Split the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out the seeds, adding them to the cream. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, soften the mascarpone cheese with a spatula. Gradually fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone, mixing gently until smooth and well combined.

4. Assemble the Cake
   Once the sponge cake is completely cool, use a serrated knife to carefully trim off the outer crust, creating a smooth, even surface. Slice the cake horizontally into three even layers. Place the first layer of cake onto a rotating cake stand. Using a pastry brush, soak the top of the cake with the prepared citrus syrup. Pipe or spread half of the mascarpone cream evenly over the cake layer, then scatter half of the fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced) on top. Repeat the process with the second layer of cake, syrup, cream, and strawberries.

5. Finish the Cake
   Place the final layer of cake on top, and use the remaining mascarpone cream to frost the sides and top of the cake. Smooth the cream with a spatula for a neat, polished finish. Place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to set.

6. Decorate the Cake
   Whip the remaining 100g of heavy cream with 15g of powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Carefully spread this whipped cream over the top of the cake, smoothing it into a thin layer. For added decoration, transfer the remaining mascarpone cream into a piping bag fitted with a star tip, and pipe small rosettes along the edges or in the center of the cake.

   Slice the fresh strawberries into quarters and arrange them on top of the cake. Sprinkle the pistachio crumbs around the bottom edge of the cake for a decorative border. Refrigerate the completed cake until ready to serve.

7. Serve and Enjoy
   When it’s time to serve, remove the cake from the fridge and let it sit for a few minutes to come to room temperature. Slice into generous portions, making sure each piece has a bit of everything: the spongy cake, the rich mascarpone cream, and the fresh strawberries. Enjoy this beautiful dessert with family and friends!

Nutritional Information

This Mascarpone and Strawberry Cake is sure to delight anyone with its combination of soft cake layers, smooth mascarpone filling, and the fresh, tangy strawberries. The cake’s light and creamy texture make it an elegant dessert that can be enjoyed on any special occasion, from birthdays to holiday feasts.