Food and Recipes Desserts Mascarpone Frosting Be the first to rate & review! Use this luscious mascarpone frosting for any cake or cupcake in need of a topping. By Southern Living Test Kitchen Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on October 13, 2023 Rate PRINT Share Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Hands On Time: 10 mins Total Time: 10 mins Yield: 3 cups We're lifelong fans of buttercream and cream cheese frosting, but this mascarpone frosting recipe has earned its spot as another confectionary favorite. Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese made with whole cream and an acidic element like citric acid or lemon juice. Mascarpone is amazing in savory recipes, like pastas or salads, and sweet recipes, like cakes and traditionally, tiramisu. This mascarpone frosting recipe is creamy and smooth, and like a cream cheese frosting, it will pair well with almost any cake or cupcake recipe. With just four ingredients and no cooking, we use it to top our Apple-Pecan Carrot Cake (with a drizzle of an indulgent Caramel Sauce to finish). You might think your loyalty to cream cheese and buttercream frostings will never waver, but one bite of this mascarpone frosting, and you'll be sold. Is Mascarpone Cheese the Same as Cream Cheese? Mascarpone cheese and cream cheese may be somewhat similar in texture—they're both spreadable cheeses—but their flavor profiles and textures are distinct. Cream cheese has a tangy flavor, and its base is a combination of milk and cream. Mascarpone, on the other hand, is mild and almost buttery in flavor. It's made only from cream, so it has a higher fat content (60 percent and up vs. 33 percent for cream cheese) that lends a rich texture cream cheese just can't compete with. While the two may differ, cream cheese thinned with heavy cream or sour cream is often used as a suitable substitute for mascarpone, which can be pricier to buy. Ingredients for Mascarpone Frosting To make this frosting, you'll need: Mascarpone cheese: A creamy Italian cheese that adds a rich texture and buttery flavor to this whipped frosting. Powdered sugar: Helps thicken and sweeten the frosting. Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor. Whipping cream: Whipped cream lightens the frosting for an airy finish. How To Make Mascarpone Frosting This frosting comes together quickly and easily. Just whisk to combine the mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Whip cream to stiff peaks, and fold into the mascarpone mixture. Use immediately. Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Tips for the Best Mascarpone Frosting Start with a chilled bowl for a quick whipped cream.Work with cold mascarpone; softened mascarpone has a tendency to break.Whip the cream to stiff peaks, but don't overdo it. Folding will continue to work the cream, causing it to become grainy if overmixed.Whip the frosting right before using for the most pipeable consistency. Variations for Mascarpone Frosting Once you have the basics down, get a little creative with these variations: Add other flavorings: Swap the vanilla extract for almond or lemon extract, rose water, or espresso.Add zest: Flavor the mascarpone frosting with a hint of lemon or orange zest for a citrusy flavor.Add salt: This frosting benefits from a touch of salt to enhance the flavor and balance the sweetness.Adjust the sugar: Adjust the quantity of powdered sugar to suit your tastes.Add cocoa: For a chocolate version.Swirl in jam: Swirl in seedless raspberry or other berry jams for a colorful, fruity touch. What Are the Best Pairings For Mascarpone Frosting? This frosting can make a great swap for traditional whipped cream—its mild flavor and creamy, whipped texture is light and pipeable, and also benefits from the stabilization mascarpone provides. It also makes a great frosting for layer cakes, cupcakes, or even as a topping for pies. How To Store Mascarpone Frosting This frosting is best used right away, but can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to one day in advance. You may need to rewhip before using. Refrigerate cakes or items topped with mascarpone frosting for up to three days (note that the frosting will deflate over time). More Mascarpone Dessert Recipes You'll Love If you love mascarpone as much as we do, check out these recipes for more decadent ways to use it: Tiramisu Mascarpone Cheesecake Honey Almond Cake with Berries and Mascarpone Creme Fraiche Watermelon Pie Fresh Strawberry Meringue Cake Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream Peach Shortcake Trifle Orange Chess Pie with Cranberry Gelee Berry Tiramisu Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse. Ingredients 1 (8-oz.) container mascarpone cheese 1/4 cup powdered sugar 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup whipping cream Directions Whisk together first 3 ingredients in a large bowl just until blended. Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into mascarpone mixture. Frequently Asked Questions Can I color mascarpone frosting? Add gel or liquid food coloring to mascarpone frosting to add color, just as you would any other type of frosting. Can leftover mascarpone frosting be frozen? Due to the consistency of this whipped frosting, freezing is not recommended. Can I make a larger batch of mascarpone frosting? Feel free to double or triple this recipe, especially if using to fill and frost a layer cake. Rate It Print Additional reporting by Katie Rosenhouse Katie Rosenhouse Follow us Katie Rosenhouse is a pastry chef and food writer with over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. She's worked as a pastry chef in some of the finest restaurants in New York City, as a culinary instructor, and as a recipe developer. learn more