Berry Chantilly Cake – Perfecting a Fruity Masterpiece

This delightful and refreshing berry chantilly cake captures the essence of summer in every slice. Inspired by whole foods but even more delicious, it features soft and moist vanilla cake layers filled with airy mascarpone chantilly cream and an abundance of fresh berries. Each bite is a perfect blend of flavors, and once you try this recipe, you’ll never want to settle for store-bought cakes again.

Ingredients

Ready to create a berry-licious masterpiece? Here’s everything you need for the perfect Berry Chantilly Cake. From cake flour to fresh berries, we’ve got you covered. Gather these ingredients and let’s start baking.

Cake

• Cake Flour: Forms the base of the cake, providing a light and tender texture. Can be substituted with a mixture of all-purpose flour and cornstarch.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and contributes to its tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise, creating a light and fluffy texture.
• Baking Soda: Works with buttermilk to provide additional leavening and tenderness.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness, flavor, and helps create a tender crumb.
• Buttermilk: Provides tanginess and moisture, contributing to a tender texture. Can be made with whole milk and vinegar or lemon juice.
• Vegetable Oil: Enhances moisture retention in the cake, keeping it soft and tender.
• Large Eggs: Provide structure, moisture, and richness to the cake batter.
• Vanilla Bean Paste or Extract: Adds depth and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Almond Extract: Enhances the flavor with a subtle nutty note (optional).

Berry Simple Syrup

• Water: Forms the base of the syrup.
• Granulated Sugar: Dissolves in water to create a sweet syrup.
• Berry Jam: Infuses the syrup with fruity flavor and color.

Chantilly Cream Frosting

• Heavy Whipping Cream: Forms the frosting base, providing a light and airy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the frosting to taste.
• Vanilla: Enhances the flavor of the frosting.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Adds richness and stability to the frosting.

Assembly and Decoration

• Strawberries: Provide a fresh, fruity contrast to the rich cake.
• Raspberries: Add tartness and vibrant color to the cake.
• Blackberries: Offer a deep, complex flavor and visual appeal.
• Blueberries: Contribute a burst of sweetness and additional color to the cake.

Directions

This cake is a showstopper that’s perfect for summer. It’s inspired by the famous Whole Foods version, but even better. Ready to make a delicious Berry Chantilly Cake? Let’s get started.

Here’s how to make it:

• First, preheat your oven to 335°F. Grab three 8-inch cake pans and line them with parchment paper.
• Now, let’s make the cake batter. Mix your dry ingredients in a stand mixer. Add softened butter and mix until it looks like breadcrumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk your wet ingredients.
• Add a third of the wet mix to the dry and combine. Then add the rest and mix for 2 minutes. This step is crucial for a fluffy cake!
• Pour the batter into your pans and bake for about 30 minutes. Let them cool completely.
• While the cakes cool, make a simple berry syrup. Just heat water, sugar, and berry jam until the sugar dissolves.
• For the frosting, whip up some mascarpone with sugar and vanilla. Separately, whip heavy cream to firm peaks. Gently fold these together.
• Now comes the fun part – assembly! Trim the cake layers and brush with berry syrup. Spread a layer of frosting, add some chopped berries, and cover with more frosting. Repeat for each layer.
• Finally, frost the entire cake and decorate it with fresh berries. Chill for an hour before serving.

Remember, let the cake sit at room temp for about 15 minutes before eating. This makes it extra soft and delicious. Enjoy your homemade Berry Chantilly Cake.

What Is Chantilly Cake?

A Chantilly Cake is essentially a cake topped with Chantilly cream. This delightful cream is made by whipping heavy cream and adding a bit of sugar and vanilla for flavor. The term “Chantilly” comes from France, where this delicious treat has its roots.

Chantilly cakes are typically fruit cakes made with vanilla sponges, as whipped cream complements fresh and summery flavors beautifully. Some popular varieties include mango chantilly cake, strawberry chantilly cake, and berry chantilly cake, among others.

What Is Reverse Creaming?

Cakes are typically prepared using the creaming technique, where butter and sugar are blended together before incorporating the remaining ingredients.

This berry chantilly cake is prepared using the reverse creaming technique, where the dry ingredients are blended with butter before incorporating the wet ingredients. While it may seem unusual, this approach is highly effective and results in incredibly soft cakes with a delicate, tender texture. The reason behind this is that the butter envelops the flour, creating a barrier that limits moisture from the wet ingredients, which in turn minimizes gluten development in the flour. Less gluten leads to cakes that are softer and more delicate!

Tips for Perfecting Your Chantilly Frosting

• Use cold cream cheese for a smooth, rich texture.
• Whip your frosting until fluffy, but don’t overbeat it, or it can turn grainy.
• Add powdered sugar gradually to avoid lumps.
• If you prefer a lighter frosting, fold in some whipped cream.
• Taste your frosting as you go and adjust the sweetness if needed.

Try Out My Other Recipes!

Gulab Jamun

No Bake Mango Cheesecake Cups

Easy Chocolate Strawberry Mug Cakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a berry chantilly cake different from a regular fruit cake?

A Berry Chantilly Cake stands out because it combines light sponge cake layers with a rich, whipped cream cheese frosting and fresh berries. This gives it a fresh, fruity flavor and a soft, creamy texture that sets it apart from dense fruit cakes.

Can I make a berry chantilly cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cake layers ahead and freeze them. However, it’s best to assemble the cake with fresh berries and frosting just before serving to preserve the freshness and texture.

What type of frosting is used in a berry chantilly cake?

Berry Chantilly Cake is traditionally frosted with Chantilly cream, which is a blend of whipped cream, cream cheese, and powdered sugar. This gives the cake its signature rich yet light texture.

Can I use other fruits instead of berries?

Yes, you can substitute berries with fruits like peaches, cherries, or mangoes. Just make sure to pick fruits that complement the creamy frosting and don’t release too much juice, as that can make the cake soggy.