Strawberry Mascarpone Cake

Desserts

Don't let the number of steps in this recipe fool you —it's easy to assemble. The cake bakes up high and fluffy, and the berries add a fresh fruity flavor. Cream cheese is a good substitute if you don't have mascarpone cheese handy.

Average Rating: 2

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1 hour + chilling Bake: 30 min. + cooling
YIELD: 12 servings.

Ingredients

6 cups fresh strawberries, halved (2 pounds)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
CAKE:
6 large eggs, separated
2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
WHIPPED CREAM:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
FILLING:
1 cup mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Refrigerate, covered, at least 30 minutes.
2. Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Grease bottoms of two 8-in. round baking pans; line with parchment paper. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together twice; place in another large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, 1-1/4 cups sugar, oil, water, orange zest and almond extract until blended. Add to flour mixture; beat until well blended.
4. With clean beaters, beat egg whites on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue beating until soft glossy peaks form. Fold a fourth of the egg whites into batter, then fold in remaining whites.
5. Gently transfer to prepared pans. Bake on lowest oven rack 30-35 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely.
6. Meanwhile, for whipped cream, in a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour. For filling, in a small bowl, beat mascarpone cheese and cream until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until assembling.
7. Drain strawberries, reserving juice mixture. Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes if domed. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Brush with half of reserved juice mixture; spread with 3/4 cup filling. Arrange strawberries over top, creating an even layer; spread with remaining filling. Brush remaining cake layer with remaining juice mixture; place layer over filling, brushed side down.
8. Gently stir whipped cream; spread over top and sides of cake. Just before serving, arrange strawberries over cake.