Quick answer: a berry Chantilly cake is vanilla cake layered with fresh berries and a frosting of whipped cream, mascarpone and cream cheese. Beat 8 oz of mascarpone and 8 oz of cream cheese with 1 cup of powdered sugar, then whip in 2 cups of cold heavy cream until stiff.
Chantilly frosting (fills and frosts a 3-layer 8-inch cake)
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, cool but not hard
- 8 oz (225 g) mascarpone, cold
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2 cups (480 ml) cold heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until completely smooth.
- Add the mascarpone and beat briefly, just until combined. Over-beaten mascarpone turns grainy.
- With the mixer running, pour in the cold cream and extracts. Whip until the frosting holds stiff peaks.
Assembling the cake
- Bake three 8-inch vanilla or white cake layers (a boxed mix works) and cool completely.
- Optional: brush each layer with berry syrup, made by warming 3 tbsp of berry jam with 2 tbsp of water.
- Spread a layer of frosting, scatter with sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, and repeat.
- Frost the top and sides, pile berries on top and chill for at least 2 hours before slicing.
Tips
- Dry the berries well; wet fruit makes the frosting weep.
- Use about 4 cups of mixed berries in total.
- Whip to firm peaks; see soft peaks vs stiff peaks.
- Keep the cake cold until 20 minutes before serving.
Shortcuts and variations
- Sheet cake: one 9 x 13 inch cake, frosted on top with berries. Halve the frosting.
- Cupcakes: pipe the frosting and top each with a berry.
- Simpler frosting: stabilized whipped cream or mascarpone cream.
- Lemon: add the zest of one lemon to the frosting.
More on the cream itself: what Chantilly cream is and whipped cream frosting.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Chantilly cake?
A vanilla layer cake filled and frosted with a light whipped cream frosting, usually made with mascarpone and cream cheese, and layered with fresh berries.
What is Chantilly frosting made of?
Heavy cream whipped with mascarpone, cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla, often with a little almond extract.
Does a Chantilly cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes. The frosting is fresh dairy. Keep the cake in the fridge and serve it within 2 to 3 days.
Is Chantilly cream the same as Chantilly frosting?
No. Chantilly cream is sweetened vanilla whipped cream. Chantilly frosting adds mascarpone and cream cheese so it is firm enough to fill and frost a cake.
