23 Dreamy Ways to Use Mascarpone
![23 Recipes for Mascarpone Cheese From Savory to Sweet](https://assets.epicurious.com/photos/64552d8ea0ddfab1629e47ba/16:9/w_320%2Cc_limit/TiramisuBreakfast_HERO_030423_54239.jpg)
Ever tried a new mascarpone recipe, only to find yourself left with a mostly full carton left over? We’ve all been there. But while you wonder what to do with that mascarpone, don’t—we repeat,don’t—let it waste away in the fridge. You can use this thick, tangy spread (essentially the Italian version ofcream cheese) in countless sweet or savory dishes. Anywhere cream cheese or sour cream can go, so can mascarpone.
Typically made by heating heavy cream withcitric acidor lemon juice, mascarpone cheese has a higher fat content than American cream cheese (about60–75%, compared to around 33%). This makes the creamy spread an excellent choice forno-bake cheesecake recipes,frostings, and mousses, as it provides more structure and body than other dairy products. But the uses for mascarpone extend past the sweet realm: Finish pasta sauces with a dollop of the stuff for extra silkiness, or add it to lasagna for an ultra-creamy, velvety filling.
We even have instructions for making your very own mascarpone cheese—it’s easier than you might think. And if you’re still looking for ideas on how to use mascarpone, there’s always the option of smearing it oncrackersorseedy toast. Maybe add a dollop ofjam, maybe not—this tangy cheese can shine all on its own.
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Jonathan Lovekin1/23
Meringue Roulade With Rose Petals and Fresh Raspberries
This mascarpone recipe is all about texture: A crisp, airy meringue shell encases a creamy mascarpone filling, juicy raspberries, and slivered pistachios.
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2/23
Classic Tiramisu
Perhaps one of the most popular recipes with mascarpone cheese, classic Italian tiramisu features layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, fluffy mascarpone mousse, and a dusting of cocoa.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/23
Tre Latte Olive Oil Cake
You can make thistres leches-inspired cake up to 3 days in advance; top it with a swoosh of mascarpone frosting, a sprinkle of lemon zest, andan extra drizzle of olive oilbefore serving.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce4/23
Vegetarian Lasagna With Easy Roasted Tomato Sauce
The problem: Grocery-store ricotta can tend to be watery. The solution: Add extra richness to your lasagna filling by cutting the ricotta with mascarpone cheese. You can use mascarpone to enrich other Italian classics too, likeChicken Marsala.
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Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart5/23
Mascarpone-Filled Cake With Sherried Berries
For your next summer gathering, skip the fussylayer cake: This easy, sophisticated, and make-ahead friendly dessert is just right for any occasion. To make it, sandwich a halved layer of tender buttermilk cake with fluffy whipped mascarpone, then top with a pile of sherry-macerated berries.
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Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni6/23
Bananas Flambé
For a dessert course with plenty of drama, try this saucier version of classicbananas Foster. You’ll thicken the pan sauce with a little heavy cream to create a silky, butterscotch-y topping.
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Photo by Gentl & Hyers7/23
Pasta With Baby Artichokes, Mascarpone, and Hazelnuts
The braised baby artichokes in this recipe may be a labor of love, but the lemon-mascarpone pasta sauce comes together in just 30 seconds. Top the bowls with freshly-grated Parmesan for a dinner to remember.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich8/23
Tiramisu Bundt Cake
Thistiramisu-inspired cake gets its signature flavor from a coffee soak and cocoa powder dusting. Slice into the cake to reveal a ripple of creamy mascarpone filling.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton9/23
Tiramisu Granita
Looking for another riff on tiramisu? This frozen version pairs a cognac-spiked coffee granita with a whipped mascarpone topping. Bonus: It’s also gluten-free.
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Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie10/23
Blackberries and Vanilla Cream With Crispy Puff Pastry
This easy recipe employs a few smart shortcuts—like sheets of store-boughtpuff pastryand fauxpastry cream, made by cutting thick mascarpone with heavy cream—to make an eye-catching dessert.
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11/23
Sour Cherry and Lemon Ice-Box Cake
Sour cherriesmay be elusive, but they’re worth seeking out (fresh or frozen) for this no-bake dessert recipe. It’s got layers of sharp, creamylemon curdand store-bought cookies that soften into a cakelike texture as the dessert chills.
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Photo by Andrea Albin12/23
Strawberry Mascarpone Tart With Port Glaze
This elegant, French-inspired tart uses a press-in crust (read: no rolling) and a no-bake filling. If it’s not strawberry season, sub in another fresh fruit, like peaches or blueberries.
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Charles Masters, food styling by Chelsea Zimmer13/23
Grilled Zucchini Bread With Mascarpone and Berries
Have the end of a loaf ofzucchini breadhanging on the counter? Slice it, grill until the edges are caramelized, and top with a generous dollop of mascarpone cheese.
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Tina Rupp14/23
Nutella Pie
Channel Ferrero Rocher vibes by whippingmascarpone with Nutella for an almost cheesecake-like filling. Spread in a chocolate cookie crumb shell, it makes a sliceable pie, perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
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Photo by Romulo Yanes15/23
Espresso and Mascarpone Icebox Cake
Falling somewhere betweentiramisuandice cream cake, this frozen dessert stacks layers of mascarpone mousse with chocolate wafer cookies and espresso whipped cream.
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Photo by Leigh Besich16/23
Black-and-White Pancake Cake
Ultra-thin layers of syrup-spiked chocolate cake sandwich a maple-mascarpone cream filling in this showstopping pancake stack, which works forbrunchor dessert.
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Craig Cutler18/23
Limoncello Gelato
Make your own booze-spiked gelato by stirringlimoncello(an Italian lemon liqueur) into a custard base before churning. Enjoy al fresco, pretending you’re at a seaside café in Italy.
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Photo by Shutterstock19/23
Classic Whipped Cream
The variation listed below this recipe presents a surefire way to upgradehomemade whipped cream: Add mascarpone. Mixing heavy cream and mascarpone creates a thick, billowy topping, finished with a hint of vanilla.
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Marcus Nilsson20/23
Summer Cannoli
This simple recipe channels the flavor of acannoliinto a parfait-style dessert, ready in just 20 minutes. Once you whip up the filling (a creamy mixture of mascarpone, ricotta, vanilla, and orange zest), it’s as simple as layering all the components—including toasted cake and pistachios for textural contrast—in small trifle glasses.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, and Anna Stockwell21/23
Carrot Pizza With Fontina and Red Onion
Mascarpone isn’t just for dessert: Use it to enrich a vibrant carrot purée, which acts as the base layer for this springtime pizza. The toppings are flexible here: We call for fontina, red onions, and carrot tops or arugula, but you could sub in another cheese (like mozzarella) or add dollops of pesto.
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Chris Gentile22/23
Rhubarb-Mascarpone Mousse Cake
Already baked arhubarb pie春天的第一杆吗?为您的下一个baking project, try this stunning seasonal entremet. The filling is made by simmering the rhubarb stalks in simple syrup, then thickening the cooking liquid with gelatin. Once the mixture has cooled, you’ll fold it into the whipped mascarpone. Finish the elegant dessert with a tart, glossy, jewel-toned glaze.
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23/23
Mascarpone
This collection of mascarpone recipes wouldn’t be complete without instructions for making your own. Spoiler: It’s a simple combination of heavy cream, skim milk, and lemon juice.
ByThe Editors of Epicurious
ByJoe Sevier
ByAnikah Shaokat
ByJulie Harans