The BEST Mascarpone Frosting Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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Mascarpone Frosting made with mascarpone, heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and almond and vanilla extracts is a lusciously smooth creamy frosting.

It is stable and holds its shape at room temperature and remains soft when refrigerated. Similar in look but very different in taste when compared toCream Cheese Frosting orItalian Buttercream Frosting.

The BEST Mascarpone Frosting Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

Table of Contents

  • What is mascarpone?
  • Is there a substitute?
  • Join today and start saving your favorite recipes
  • Mascarpone Frosting Recipe

Mascarpone frosting is my new favorite frosting. This heavenly frosting has changed me forever.

You see, this frosting is light and fluffy and smooth. It’s everything you want a frosting to be. This frosting can be shaped and spread however you like and will, too, hold it’s shape.

I thought it would harden or change when refrigerated. Nope! We had extra after frosting our lemon cupcakes so I stored the leftover frosting in the refrigerator. I ended up eating it on a graham cracker and it was downright heavenly. Don’t judge me! In fact, I might just make an ice box cake out of it this coming summer!

This frosting would go perfectly with any cake or cupcake. I can’t wait to top my heavenly homemade chocolate cupcakes with it!

The BEST Mascarpone Frosting Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

What is mascarpone?

I have a friend who helps me cook. When I told her we were making mascarpone frosting, she asked “what’s that?”.

Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese. This is definitely not to be mistaken by our American cream cheese. They are quite different.

Mascarpone cheese is made from cow’s milk. It is off-white in color and is spreadable. If you’ve ever enjoyed tiramisu, it was most likely made with it. I also use it in my cannoli filling. I love spreading it on raisin toast. It melts like a cross between whipped cream and butter, but isn’t exactly like either.

Mascarpone can be used in a wide variety of ways including desserts like cheesecake or adding richness to a risotto.

Now that I’ve used it in frosting, I swear it will be my favorite frosting recipe to make from here on out.

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Is there a substitute?

In my opinion, no. Nothing is quite like rich and creamy mascarpone. If a recipe calls for mascarpone, I won’t try to substitute.

That’s not to say it’s not possible.

If you’re really in a pickle and are right in the middle of making a recipe that calls for mascarpone, and you just realized you either ran out or it went bad, there is a way to cheat.

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The work around is to combine a brick, or eight ounces, of softened cream cheese with a quarter cup heavy cream and two tablespoons sour cream. The cream cheese and sour cream must be full fat. Actually, don’t break my heart and use low or nonfat anything. Gross.

Does it taste just like mascarpone? Not exactly, but it’s close enough if you need a quick substitute.

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Mascarpone Frosting

Prep5 minutes mins

Total10 minutes mins

Servings 12 servings

Author Krissy Allori

The BEST Mascarpone Frosting Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (5)

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Mascarpone Frosting is simply the very best tasting, easy to make, and perfectly sweet frosting. Just a few simple ingredients whipped together create a lusciously smooth creamy frosting that is so easy to work with. It is stable and holds its shape at room temperature and remains soft when refrigerated.

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Ingredients

  • 8 ounces mascarpone cheese chilled, I used Trader Joe's brand, results may vary with other brands
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream chilled
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Place the mascarpone in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment and start beating on medium speed. While beating, add the almond extract and vanilla followed by the confectioners sugar. Scrape sides and continue beating until light and fluffy.DO NOT OVERMIX as it will cause the frosting to curdle.

  • With the mixer running on high speed, slowly add the whipping cream until the frosting becomes light and fluffy, about 1-3 minutes. DO NOT OVERMIX as it will cause the frosting to curdle.

  • Spread onto cake or cupcakes. This frosting also holds its shape incredibly well, so it’s easy to pipe on using a decorating set. Makes enough to frost 24 cupcakes or two 9-inch rounds.

Notes

Makes about 3 cups.

For longer term storage, keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Frosting will remain soft even after refrigerating, but you can always allow for it to come to room temperature before using if previously refrigerated or frozen.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 46mg, Sodium: 18mg, Potassium: 14mg, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 555IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 39mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me acomment below

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The BEST Mascarpone Frosting Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

What kind of frosting do most bakeries use? ›

Buttercream frostings rely on the main ingredient of butter and will be the most common type of frosting you will find in a bakery.

What is mascarpone frosting made of? ›

Ingredients for Mascarpone Frosting

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.

Does mascarpone frosting need to be refrigerated? ›

This frosting recipe is best made with cold mascarpone cheese and cold heavy cream. Keep it cool. Like whipped cream or cream cheese frosting, this whipped mascarpone frosting should be stored in the fridge.

What's the difference between mascarpone and cream cheese frosting? ›

Mascarpone vs.

Cream cheese contains at least 33% milk fat, and mascarpone may contain 60-75% milk fat. Mascarpone has a buttery flavor that makes it particularly suitable for desserts. It adds richness and a creamy texture, while cream cheese brings a creamy consistency and slightly tangy taste to dishes.

What frosting do professionals use for cakes? ›

Swiss meringue buttercream is a favorite among many cake decorators because of its smooth finish on the outside cakes and its ability to hold piping detail.

Why does Bakery buttercream taste different? ›

It will taste different. The taste that butter gives the buttercream is really unique and the flavour of margarine and shortening is a little bit different so if you've ever tasted buttercream made with actual butter I'm sure you will be able to taste the difference when it's made with something else.

Why is my mascarpone frosting runny? ›

Why is my mascarpone frosting runny? A runny frosting can be caused by overmixing or too much ingredient liquid. To avoid this, stop the process immediately when stiff peaks form. For the ingredients, it's important to use only high-fat mascarpone and heavy cream that is not just high fat but cold as well.

Why does my mascarpone frosting look curdled? ›

If you accidentally over-beat mascarpone frosting after adding the heavy cream it might begin to look curdled and "split" or separate.

How to thicken up mascarpone frosting? ›

when it comes to how to thicken mascarpone frosting (or any frosting for that matter), the best way to do so is to add cornstarch to the powdered sugar before whisking the ingredients together. This process is called stabilizing frosting.

Is mascarpone healthier than cream? ›

No, mascarpone cheese is not healthier than cream cheese as it contains 25% more fat than cream cheese. Yet mascarpone cheese is only preferred for its extra smooth texture. You can use cream cheese and mascarpone cheese for salty and sweet dishes.

Can you over beat mascarpone? ›

If you overmix this cream, it will curdle and will ruin the creaminess of this cream. Let the mascarpone cheese come to room temperature before mixing, it will incorporate a lot easier.

Can I freeze mascarpone frosting? ›

Yes, you can freeze mascarpone due to its high fat and water content. Many dishes that include mascarpone as an ingredient can also be frozen, such as tiramisu and pasta sauce.

Can you use Philadelphia as mascarpone? ›

No mascarpone and cream cheese are not the same, they are both dairy-based and do have some similarities but they are made in different ways. They have a similar texture so can very often substitute each other but Philadephia is more savory while mascarpone is milkier in taste.

Why is mascarpone so good? ›

Mascarpone is made from heavy cream, while cream cheese is made from whole milk. This gives mascarpone its high fat content and richer, creamier texture. The fat content of cream cheese is 30 to 40 percent, compared to mascarpone's whopping 60 to 75 percent fat content.

Is mascarpone healthy? ›

Mascarpone is an ingredient of some famous Italian desserts like tiramisu. Mascarpone is not the best choice for your heart health as it's one of the highest fat cheeses (44 per cent, of which 30 per cent is saturated).

Which is the most popular frosting icing? ›

Buttercream is the most popular type of frosting largely because of its few ingredients and easy application. Classic buttercream requires beating butter into icing sugar until you reach a frosting consistency. It's not possible to over beat this type of frosting, so the longer you beat it, the fluffier it gets.

How to make store frosting taste like bakery? ›

Depending on what kind of cake you're making, try stirring a spoonful of any of the following into the frosting:
  1. Peanut butter.
  2. Cookie butter.
  3. Chocolate-hazelnut spread.
  4. Dulce de leche.
  5. Caramel sauce.
  6. Lemon curd.
  7. Fruit jam.
Mar 5, 2024

Why do most bakeries use royal icing opposed to buttercream? ›

Many bakers love royal icing because it's easily customizable and can be made thinner or thicker depending on your specific needs. Royal icing is also commonly used as a dessert “glue” and is especially popular around the holidays when creating desserts like gingerbread houses.

What frosting is used for most wedding cakes? ›

Fondant is a very popular choice for some, but misunderstood by many others. Let me explain, fondant (or sugar paste) is almost the default choice for wedding cakes, it's very popular in terms of design ideas and all the possibilities it opens up.

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