Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Berry Chantilly Cake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Yield: 14 1x
  • Category: Dessert

Ingredients

Scale

**Cake:**

  • 2 2/3 cups cake flour (or 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour + 1/4 cup cornstarch)
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 14 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup whole milk + 1 tbsp vinegar/lemon juice)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract (optional; can replace with vanilla)

**Berry Simple Syrup:**

  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp berry jam (I used strawberry)

**Chantilly Cream Frosting:**

  • 3 cups heavy whipping cream (chilled)
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 8 oz mascarpone cheese (slightly cooler than room temperature)

**Assembly and Decoration:**

  • 3/4 cup roughly chopped strawberries
  • 3/4 cup roughly chopped raspberries
  • 3/4 cup roughly chopped blackberries
  • 3/4 cup blueberries
  • Adjust the quantity and type of berries to your preference, just ensure they are fresh


Instructions

**Cake:**

  1. Preheat oven to 335°F and prepare three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper and butter/oil.
  2. Ensure butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature. Butter should be soft but not melting.
  3. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
  4. Add softened butter to the dry ingredients and mix until it resembles coarse sand.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth.
  6. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until combined.
  7. In another small bowl, mix cocoa powder and instant coffee with boiling water until smooth, then fold into the batter.
  8. Divide batter evenly among cake pans and bake for 28-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
  9. Cool cakes in pans for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

**Berry Simple Syrup:**

  1. Combine water, sugar, and jam in a saucepan.
  2. Heat on low until sugar dissolves and mixture simmers.
  3. Set aside to cool.

**Chantilly Cream Frosting:**

  1. In a bowl, mix mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla on low speed until creamy.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk heavy cream until firm peaks form.
  3. Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture until combined.

**Assembly and Decoration:**

  1. Roughly chop the berries.
  2. Place a cake layer on a turntable and trim the top crust to expose the crumb.
  3. Brush generously with berry simple syrup.
  4. Spread a thin layer of Chantilly frosting and top with berries, leaving a 1/2 inch border.
  5. Add more frosting to cover berries, then add the next cake layer.
  6. For the top layer, brush with syrup, flip upside down, and place on top.
  7. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting and chill for 15-20 minutes.
  8. Apply remaining frosting and decorate with any leftover berries.
  9. Chill the cake for an hour before transferring to a serving stand.
  10. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Store the cake in the fridge but let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture.