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Limoncello Mascarpone Cake – Bright & Elegant Dessert Recipe

Limoncello Mascarpone Cake – Bright & Elegant Dessert Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 25 reviews

This Limoncello Mascarpone Cake is a bright and elegant dessert perfect for lemon lovers. Featuring a light, fluffy sponge cake soaked in a limoncello syrup, layered with a creamy mascarpone filling, and finished with a tangy limoncello glaze, this cake balances citrusy zest with rich textures to create an irresistible treat suitable for special occasions or a sophisticated everyday dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sponge Cake:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 lemon

For the Limoncello Syrup:

  • ½ cup Limoncello liqueur
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup sugar

For the Mascarpone Filling:

  • 1½ cups mascarpone cheese
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Limoncello Glaze:

  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp Limoncello
  • Lemon zest, to garnish
  • Fresh lemon slices and mint, optional for decoration
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Make the Sponge: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until pale, thick, and tripled in volume, about 5 to 7 minutes. Fold in the vanilla extract and lemon zest gently. Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in batches until fully combined. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
  2. Prepare the Limoncello Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the Limoncello liqueur, water, and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
  3. Prepare the Mascarpone Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese with powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until it forms soft peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until light and fluffy.
  4. Assemble the Cake: Carefully slice each cooled cake horizontally into two even layers, creating four layers total. Place the first layer on a serving plate, and brush generously with the limoncello syrup. Spread a layer of mascarpone filling over the cake. Repeat this process with the remaining layers, brushing each with syrup and spreading mascarpone filling, finishing with the last cake layer on top. Chill the assembled cake in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set.
  5. Finish & Decorate: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of Limoncello to create a smooth glaze. Drizzle the limoncello glaze over the chilled cake, allowing it to drip down the sides for an elegant look. Dust the top lightly with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh lemon slices, lemon zest, and optional fresh mint leaves. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes

  • Make sure eggs are at room temperature for the best volume in the sponge cake.
  • Use fresh lemon zest for the brightest citrus flavor.
  • The cake can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
  • For a stronger limoncello flavor, increase the amount in the syrup or glaze slightly, but do not oversoak the cake to avoid sogginess.
  • If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, substitute limoncello with lemon juice mixed with water and sugar for syrup and glaze.
  • Serve chilled for the best texture and flavor combination.

Nutrition

Keywords: Limoncello cake, mascarpone cake, lemon dessert, Italian dessert, layered cake, elegant cake, citrus cake

Find it online: https://mixitwitjoe.com/limoncello-mascarpone-cake-bright-and-elegant-dessert-recipe/