Berry Chantilly cake is a delightful combination of airy vanilla cake, fresh berries, and a rich Chantilly cream frosting that brings everything together. It’s famous for its light texture and burst of summer flavors, and its popularity has only grown since being introduced at Whole Foods in New Orleans. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what goes into making this crowd-pleaser and offer tips to recreate it at home.
Before diving into the ingredients, make sure to check out some of our other delicious cakes, such as the Snickers Cake Recipe, which also offers a rich flavor profile, or our Red Velvet Bundt Cake.
Key Ingredients for Berry Chantilly Cake
Berry Chantilly Cake is loved for its combination of fresh flavors and light, fluffy textures. Here’s a closer look at the essential components:
1. Cake Base
- Cake Flour: The use of cake flour ensures a tender, light crumb in the cake. You can substitute all-purpose flour, but it may result in a denser texture.
- Butter: Softened unsalted butter adds richness to the cake layers.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar provides sweetness without altering the color or flavor.
- Eggs: Room-temperature eggs are ideal for binding the batter and adding moisture.
- Vanilla Extract: High-quality vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cake base.
The cake’s airy structure, much like in our Easy Banana Bread Recipe with Cake Mix, sets the foundation for a rich dessert.
2. Chantilly Cream Frosting
- Mascarpone Cheese: This Italian cream cheese gives the frosting its characteristic smoothness and slight tang.
- Cream Cheese: Adds stability and richness to the frosting.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: When whipped, this lightens the frosting, creating that iconic cloud-like texture.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Used for sweetening without adding any grittiness.
- Vanilla Extract: For added depth of flavor.
This unique combination of ingredients makes the frosting much richer than traditional whipped cream, with a texture that complements the berries perfectly.
3. Berry Filling
- Fresh Berries: Typically, a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries is used. It’s important to ensure they are washed and dried to prevent sogginess.
- Seedless Strawberry Jam: Spread between the layers for added sweetness and to enhance the berry flavor.
The balance of fresh and sweet berries contrasts beautifully with the rich frosting, much like the flavor pairing in our German Chocolate Cheesecake, where chocolate and nuts combine seamlessly.
How to Make Berry Chantilly Cake
Making this cake from scratch may seem daunting, but with the right steps, you can achieve bakery-quality results at home. Here’s a detailed process to follow.
Step 1: Preparing the Cake Layers
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour and baking powder.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients alternately with milk, starting and ending with the dry mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: Preparing the Chantilly Cream Frosting
- Beat the mascarpone and cream cheese together until smooth.
- Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract.
- Whip the heavy cream in a separate bowl until stiff peaks form, then gently fold it into the mascarpone mixture.
The key here is not to over-mix the frosting once the whipped cream is incorporated to maintain the light texture.
Step 3: Assembling the Cake
- Cut each cake layer in half horizontally, giving you four layers in total.
- Spread a thin layer of strawberry jam on the cut side of each cake layer.
- Add a generous amount of Chantilly cream frosting and top with fresh berries.
- Repeat the layering process, ending with a frosting layer on top and around the sides of the cake.
Step 4: Decorating the Cake
For a professional touch, you can add a glaze over the berries by thinning out strawberry jam with warm water and brushing it over the berries. Additionally, you can pipe extra frosting around the edges or even add edible flowers for a decorative finish.
Recipe Variations
While the classic Berry Chantilly Cake is already delicious, here are a few variations to make it your own:
- Lemon Zest Addition: For a citrusy twist, add lemon zest to both the cake batter and the frosting.
- Almond Extract: A dash of almond extract in the cake batter can enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Lemon Curd Filling: Swap out the strawberry jam for lemon curd if you prefer a tangy filling.
These additions will give your cake a unique flavor while maintaining the integrity of the classic recipe. Similar to our Ferrero Rocher Dream Trifle, experimenting with ingredients can lead to delightful surprises.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect Berry Chantilly Cake:
- Use Fresh Berries: Fresh, in-season berries will give your cake the best flavor and texture.
- Keep Ingredients Cold: For the Chantilly frosting, it’s important to keep your ingredients, especially the mascarpone and cream cheese, chilled until you’re ready to use them.
- Don’t Overmix: When folding the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture, be gentle to maintain a light, fluffy texture.
If you enjoy no-bake options as well, check out our Easy Gluten-Free No-Bake Desserts for more effortless dessert ideas.
FAQs About Berry Chantilly Cake
1. What’s the difference between Chantilly cream and whipped cream?
Chantilly cream is a type of whipped cream that is typically sweetened with confectioners’ sugar and often includes mascarpone and cream cheese for added richness. Whipped cream, on the other hand, is simply heavy cream that’s been whipped with sugar.
2. Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh ones?
Yes, but fresh berries are recommended for the best texture. If using frozen berries, thaw them first and pat them dry before adding them to the cake to prevent excess moisture from seeping into the cake layers.
3. How long does Berry Chantilly Cake last?
The cake can last up to four days in the refrigerator. Be sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness. The berries, however, may begin to break down after a couple of days.
4. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the cake flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to use a blend that’s designed for baking to ensure the best results.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a general breakdown of the nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 561 kcal
- Fat: 34g (20g saturated fat)
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Protein: 8g
Storage Tips
Since the frosting contains mascarpone and cream cheese, the cake must be stored in the refrigerator. Keep it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing other odors from the fridge. If you’re planning to serve it later, take it out 15-20 minutes before serving to let it come to room temperature.
Conclusion
Chantilly frosting is a versatile, creamy frosting perfect for a variety of desserts. Its light, airy texture and mildly sweet flavor make it a favorite among bakers for cakes, pies, and pastries alike. Whether you opt for a mascarpone-enriched version or stick with the traditional cream and sugar combination, Chantilly frosting is sure to elevate any dessert to the next level.
If you’d like to learn more about how to make this frosting, check out How to Make Chantilly Frosting. For different variations, visit Chantilly Frosting Variations, and for a unique twist, explore the Hawaiian-Style Chantilly Frosting Recipe.
For those looking for dessert inspiration to pair with Chantilly frosting, try browsing Naturally Gluten-Free Desserts, where you’ll find plenty of light and airy options that complement this frosting.
By mastering this simple but elegant frosting, you’ll have a go-to recipe to enhance all kinds of sweet treats, making them even more irresistible!