Black Forest Cake with Mascarpone Frosting combines a rich chocolate cake with cherries and a creamy buttercream frosting.
When I decided to make this Black Forest Cake with Mascarpone Frosting during the season of Valentine's Day, I certainly hoped if you are looking for a fantastic cake for that day that you will consider this one, it's worthy. But it's also not just for one day!
While I do like to make something sweet and chocolatey that fits the theme of the event; I learned the hard way to not make a delicious dessert focused on one day. I did that one year for these Pots de Creme and they are really too wonderful to be ignored on the other 364 days. Never again I say!
This may not look like that your standard Black Forest Cake and there is one significant difference. Instead of combining a chocolate cake with layers of cherries with whipped cream, I've frosted it with a mascarpone cheese buttercream.
I made this cake in the spirit of a Black Forest Cake and it has the same elegance but it also has more staying power. I made this for a friend's 50th birthday recently, hence the 5 candles, and I needed to make it in the morning, transport it to her house, and have it still be perfect for after dinner.
That can be more difficult with whipped cream so I went the mascarpone cheese route and she thought is perfect! If you are not yet familiar with mascarpone cheese; it is similar to cream cheese. The difference is that it's lighter, smoother, and with a less tangy flavor. It has become my preferred addition to frostings.
I love making cakes but that being said, I seldom do many anymore. Not because I can't find willing eaters but because I seem to make them complicated enough they are a full day job. As much fun as that is, I struggle finding the time. So I went into this with a game plan.
Chocolate cake I know and love? Check. Simple frosting combining mascarpone cheese and buttercream frosting? Check. Fresh cherries? Check. But uh oh...damn the ones I had planned to use were past their prime so first snafu required a trip to the grocery store. Doesn't that always happen?
Still not that big of a deal. But then I realized I was also out of my favorite cherry jam but of course not before that trip to the market!
Luckily I had plenty of time and knew I could whip something together pretty quick so I still wasn't deterred, I had all weekend to get it done and I would get on it first thing Saturday for sure.
Except...my friend Amy from across the street asked me if I wanted to join her and her mom at a local production of 'The Full Monty' on Saturday afternoon. I almost reneged but thought, 'No...I deserve a break today!' so went with them and am so glad I did. We laughed so hard it hurt!
I did get the cake layers made and in the freezer...so check and check. I was feeling pretty good about that, heck it meant I had all day Sunday to simply frost and put together a cake. Easy Peasy. Not exactly really. I'm a pill, that's a full day job under the best of circumstances!
Ever had one of those days? The phone ringing off the hook, the constant doorbell interruptions, the missing ingredients...I won't deny I was a bit stressed but I stayed on track and was good to go; I was not going to let a cake crack me!
Was it worth it? I have to admit, this is one fine cake. Chocolate and Cherry in a Black Forest Cake and the smooth richness of the mascarpone in the buttercream frosting kicked it up a notch.
I really love using mascarpone cheese in a frosting; it adds both a richness and depth of flavor without really making the frosting taste like cheese. I also think buttercream can be too sweet; blending it with mascarpone tones that down just enough to make it perfect.
This was a smash; the birthday girl loved it, and yes, I did bring a bowl of whipped cream and we scooped some on top. I had hoped to bring a slice home but it was not to be...everyone clamored for seconds.
So...birthday, anniversary, or yes, Valentine's Day, this is a special and delicious cake for any celebration.
If you love the Black Forest combination like I do, you might also try these Black Forest Ice Cream Sundaes; there were amazing!
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Black Forest Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
Author: Creative Culinary