Berry Chantilly Cake (Whole Foods Recipe)

Do you want to bake up something special to treat your sweet tooth? You need to try this recipe for Chantilly cake!

Picture this: fluffy, moist cake layers sandwiched with vibrant, fresh berries. It’s slathered in the creamiest frosting you could ever dream of. 

This tempting dessert will make you do a happy dance. And this recipe is guaranteed to deliver that sweet, fruity sensation.

So, roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and make this show-stopping delight!

Chantilly Cake

Chantilly cake is an absolute delight to bake and eat. 

I’ve spent many Sunday afternoons in my kitchen putting together this showstopper. And let me tell you, it never disappoints.

The process itself is a treat. Making the batter and baking the cake smells like a sweet afternoon breeze. 

The magic starts when you assemble the cake, spreading the fruity jam onto the layers. Adding the bright, sweet berries and layering the frosting feels like creating art. 

The best part is seeing the delight on everyone’s faces when they taste it. Every time I bake it, I fall in love with it.

Where Did Chantilly Cake Come From?

Chantilly cake is a quintessential dessert originating from the vibrant food culture of Hawaii. The cake is traditionally light and airy with various fruit and cream fillings.

While working at a New Orleans Whole Foods, Baker Chaya Conrad popularized Berry Chantilly Cake. 

Her grandmother’s recipe swiftly became a city favorite. The cake is commonly featured at weddings, graduations, showers, and birthdays.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delectable treat.

For the cake:

• Cake flour – It serves as the cake’s base for structure.
  
• Baking powder – It helps the cake rise and gives it a fluffy texture.
  
• Eggs – They provide structure to the batter. I used room-temperature eggs for even mixing.
  
• Butter – It adds moisture and richness. Be sure to soften it before mixing.
  
• Milk – It adds moisture and helps to create a tender crumb in the cake.
  
• Vanilla extract – It brings a hint of rich, sweet flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the cake.
  
• Sugar and salt – To sweeten and balance the flavors of the cake.

For the frosting:

• Mascarpone cheese – It’s a sweet, tart Italian cheese that adds a rich, smooth texture to the frosting.
  
• Cream cheese – It brings a tart flavor and creamy consistency to the mix.
  
• Confectioner’s sugar – It adds sweetness to the frosting and helps make it light and fluffy.
  
• Heavy whipping cream – It’s whipped to stiff peaks, and adds lightness and volume to the frosting.
  
• Vanilla extract – It enhances the flavor of the frosting, giving it a slight, sweet aroma.

For the filling:

• Strawberry jam –  It adds a sweet, fruity layer to the cake. The seedless variety ensures a smooth texture.
  
• Fresh berries – They bring bursts of fruity goodness and a juicy bite to contrast the creamy richness.

How to Make Chantilly Cake

Follow these instructions to whip up this incredible dessert.

To make the cake:

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Prepare two 9-inch round baking pans with greased parchment paper.
   
2. Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating them well after each addition, and mix in the vanilla. 
   
3. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture in turns with milk, beating well each time. 
   
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, approximately 25-30 minutes. 
   
5. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Transfer them to wire racks, taking off the parchment. Let the cakes cool completely.

To make the frosting:

1. In a small bowl, blend mascarpone and cream cheese. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until velvety smooth. 
   
2. Whip the cream and vanilla in a separate bowl until you achieve stiff peaks. Combine the whipped cream with the mascarpone mixture, beating it at low speed until well mixed.

To assemble the cake layers:

1. Cut the cakes in half horizontally. Spread a third of the berry jam on each, followed by a cup of frosting. Scatter a third of the fresh berries on top of the frosting. 
   
2. Place another cake layer on top and press gently. Repeat these steps for all layers.

To frost and decorate:

1. Spread the leftover frosting on the cake’s sides and top. Decorate it with the remaining berries as desired. 
   
2. Use this opportunity to showcase your creativity! Add additional toppings and pipe beautiful frosting shapes.

Tips for the Best Cake

• Use room temperature ingredients. Ensure that your eggs, butter, and dairy products are at room temperature, except for the mascarpone cheese and heavy cream. This helps them mix more evenly, creating a smoother, more unified batter.
  
• Don’t overmix the batter. Once you’ve added the dry ingredients to the wet, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough cake rather than the light, fluffy texture we’re after.
  
• Fresh is best. The filling and topping of a Chantilly cake are its crowning glory. Use fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor and texture.
  
• Sift your dry ingredients. Sift your flour, baking powder, and salt together to prevent clumps. Sifting ensures the ingredients are well combined for a lighter, fluffier cake.
  
• Cream your butter and sugar well. Creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy helps to incorporate air into the batter, giving the cake a lighter texture.
  
• Cool the cake layers completely. Allow your cake layers to cool completely before frosting. The frosting will melt and slide off the cake if slightly warm.
  
• Smooth out your frosting. Use an offset spatula or a butter knife to smooth the frosting on the cake. You can dip the spatula in hot water, wipe it off, and use it for a smoother finish.
  
• Tap the cake pans before baking. Lightly tap the pans before placing the cake pans with the cake batter in the oven. This extra step pops the pockets of air bubbles for a smoother, fluffier result.

Happy baking!

How to Store and Freeze

The good news is leftover Chantilly cake doesn’t have to go to waste! Follow these steps to store it.

To Store: Pop it in the fridge! But before that, cover the cake with an overturned bowl. If you have individual slices, arrange them neatly in an air-tight container with a lid. Then, stow away in the fridge.

This cake is best enjoyed within 2 to 3 days while the berries are still fresh and the cake is moist. But remember, the longer it sits, the more the flavors and textures will change.

To Freeze: Yes, you can freeze this Chantilly cake. Slice it up and wrap the cake layers in plastic or foil. When you’re ready to serve the cake, thaw it in the fridge. 

Assemble and decorate the cake once it’s properly thawed. But a quick tip: Chantilly cake is best enjoyed fresh!