12 Reasons Mascarpone Is the Secret Ingredient to Everything Delicious
This Italian triple-cream cheese is technically a cheese but has the texture of a wonderfully thick cream. It adds delight to all manner of recipes: It's the essential element in tiramisu; makes a luxurious frosting for sugar-and-spice cake; is a super-easy tart filling; adds rich, creamy depth to pastry puffs; and is the essential ingredient in icebox cake, semifreddo, and more.
-
This Italian triple-cream cheese is technically a cheese but has the texture of a wonderfully thick cream. It adds delight to all manner of recipes: It's the essential element in tiramisu; makes a luxurious frosting for sugar-and-spice cake; is a super-easy tart filling; adds rich, creamy depth to pastry puffs; and is the essential ingredient in icebox cake, semifreddo, and more.
1. It Takes the Cake
Mascarpone is a triple-cream cheese that adds a rich, silky component to any cake, but it definitely adds something extra special to this four-layer Sugar-and-Spice Cake.
-
2 of 12
2. It's the Trick to Tiramisu
Truly, this classic creamy, coffee-flavored Italian dessert would be nothing without mascarpone.
-
Mascarpone is a key ingredient in some totally delicious non-Italian desserts like these rich, nutty pastry cups (which are like a dessert all on their own). Use them to make Cranberry Curd Tartlets or try them with a different fruit or cream filling.
-
Hidden under the neatly arranged orange rounds in this gorgeous chocolate roasted-orange tart is a mascarpone filling. It provides the perfect creamy balance between the chocolate crust and the citrus topping.
-
No baking skills requireed for this "cake." It's an impressive chocolate-chip cookie extravaganza -- just count those layers -- and the mascarpone-cream filling keeps it all together.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Here's an easy treat: Smear some mascarpone onto cookies and top with a sweet-syrupy cranberry compote.
-
7 of 12
7. It Turns Semifreddo Sublime
Those Italians know dessert: Semifreddo is a classic that marries the richness of ice cream with the ethereal texture of frozen mousse. You don't need an ice-cream maker to make this, but you do need plenty of mascarpone!
-
Some love salt, others love sweet. These mascarpone-filled blue-cheese pastry puffs are dipped in caramel and sprinkled with coarse salt -- you might say they're the best of both worlds.
-
Ultra-rich, super-creamy, yes that's mascarpone. Sure, there's also sour cream, cream cheese, and goat cheese in this decadent no-bake dessert, but it's the mascarpone that gives it a velvety-smooth texture.
-
10 of 12
10. It Perfects the Pastry Puff
These quick-to-make, easy-to-assemble dessert sandwiches call for mascarpone. It's the creamy balance between the two flaky puff pastry pieces and the fresh blackberry filling.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
The best of two classic desserts -- cheesecake and brownies -- are brought together in this bar cookie treat. Cheesecake brownie recipes often call for cream cheese, but this version with mascarpone makes for a rich, mellow, and creamy topping.
-
There's plenty of chocolate filling between the many layers of this glazed chocolate cake. And the secret ingredient, the essential element in that filling (along with cocoa): Why it's creamy, divine mascarpone, of course.
Other Ideas to Try
-
12 Reasons Mascarpone Is the Secret Ingredient to Everything Delicious
-
Favorite Cheese Recipes
-
These Bento Box Lunches Are So Spring!
They're sure to tempt even a picky eater.
-
17 Brilliant Ways to Cook with Lavender
-
Infuse Your Booze: Liquor and Cocktail Recipes
-
Super-Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes So You Can Show Off Without Stress
-
Our Secret Weapon Ingredients Will Make Your Food Taste Better
Take a peek at our go-to ingredients, they will transform the flavor of your food.
-
20 Summer Fruit Desserts You Can Make with Just 5 Ingredients (Or Less!)
Starring ripe berries, melon, peaches, cherries, and more.
-
Last-Minute Appetizers
Create these deceptively sophisticated snacks with just a few pantry items.
-
Semifreddo: Ultimate Easy Dinner-Party Dessert
-
Try These Healthy Easter Desserts for a Light Yet Satisfying Finale
Cap off your Easter feast with one of our delicious lightened-up treats.
-
What to Make with: Zucchini, Garlic, and Parmesan
-
New Year's Party Appetizers
-
8 Recipes That Prove Brown Butter Makes Everything Better
-
Our Expert Tips for Baking Cookies
-
Carbonara and Other Entirely Irresistible Bacon Pasta Recipes
There are few pairings that work as harmoniously as bacon and pasta. Here are our favorite recipes that bring the two ingredients together.
-
Chocolate Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
-
Cheese Plate Recipes
-
Best Kebab Recipes: Our Favorite Grilled Foods on a Stick
Perfect for feeding a crowd this summer!
-
50 No-Recipe Meals
-
Tempt Your Kids With These Healthy and Delicious After-School Snacks
They're bright, crunchy, and colorful!
-
Five-Ingredient Dinners
-
Gin Cocktails
-
One-Pot Chicken Recipes for Hectic Weeknights
Effortless dinners with minimal cleanup? Sign us up!
-
30 Sophisticated Starters
These bites only look pro -- we promise, no caterer required.
-
Ingredient Information