Full of rich chocolate and topped with a creamy mascarpone cheese frosting, this chocolate mascarpone cake recipe is incredibly satisfying for anyone who has a sweet tooth. Sliced into squares, it is a perfect snacking cake or dessert when you are looking for something chocolaty to finish a meal.
To make this chocolate mascarpone cake, you begin by making a chocolate sponge cake before poking it with holes and pouring hot milk over top to soak into the cake. Then, you make a creamy frosting by whipping heavy cream with mascarpone cheese and spreading it on top of the cake. After that, all you need to do is top it with a dark chocolate and nut mixture before allowing it to set in the fridge. The combination of the crunchy nuts, fluffy chocolate cake, and tangy frosting will surely make this a dessert you will want to make again and again.
What is Chocolate Mascarpone Poke Cake?
This chocolate mascarpone poke cake includes a chocolate sponge cake layer along with a mascarpone frosting and a dark chocolate topping with nuts. The layers contrast each other in texture as the cake is fluffy while the frosting is creamy and the chocolate topping has a wonderful crunch.
Poke cakes are a little different from other types of cake as they involve poking the cake with a skewer before pouring liquid, jello, or pudding over top to soak into the cake. The benefit of this step is that whatever gets poured over the cake imparts flavor and soaks into the cake to make it extra moist. This version uses hot milk, which adds richness to the cake and makes it extra fluffy.
Pro Tips
- Use a whisk when mixing the cake batter to ensure there are no lumps.
- Don’t overbake the cake; you will know it is ready when it is no longer shiny on top and when an inserted skewer comes out clean.
- Pour the hot milk over the cake while it is still warm as it will absorb into the cake easier that way.
- For the topping, feel free to use whatever nuts you have on hand such as peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, or walnuts.
- If you can’t find mascarpone, you could use brick-style cream cheese instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Poke Cake?
Poke cake is a type of cake where you poke holds into it with a skewer or the handle of a wooden spoon before pouring a fluid ingredient over top that soaks into the cake. This can be jello, pudding, hot milk, and more.
What Types of Nuts Should Be Used in Chocolate Cake?
The wonderful thing about this chocolate mascarpone poke cake recipe is that you can use whatever types of nuts you have on hand in the dark chocolate topping. Chopped pecans, hazelnuts, or pecans are particularly good, but you could also add walnuts or almonds if you prefer. Pre-toasting the nuts is also a good idea if you would like to enhance their flavour in the cake.
Can I Make Chocolate Cake Nut-Free?
Yes, if you need the cake to be nut-free, simply omit the chopped nuts from the dark chocolate topping. The cake will still be perfectly delicious.
How to Store Chocolate Mascarpone Poke Cake
This chocolate mascarpone poke cake should be stored in the fridge until you are ready to serve it. Simply cover the pan with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge where it should keep for up to 3 or 4 days.
Ingredients
How to Make Chocolate Mascarpone Poke Cake
For the sponge cake, preheat the oven to 360 F/180 C. In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar, salt, and vanilla sugar until smooth. Whisk in the milk and vegetable oil.
For the sponge cake, preheat the oven to 360 F/180 C. In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar, salt, and vanilla sugar until smooth. Whisk in the milk and vegetable oil.
Sift the cocoa powder over the mixture and whisk until combined. Whisk in the flour and baking powder.
Sift the cocoa powder over the mixture and whisk until combined. Whisk in the flour and baking powder.
Pour the batter in a greased rectangular baking dish. Bake it for 20 to 25 minutes.
Pour the batter in a greased rectangular baking dish. Bake it for 20 to 25 minutes.
Poke the cake all over with a fork and pour the hot milk over top.
Poke the cake all over with a fork and pour the hot milk over top.
For the mascarpone frosting, beat the heavy cream until it is starting to get thick. Beat in the mascarpone until the mixture is thick and creamy.
For the mascarpone frosting, beat the heavy cream until it is starting to get thick. Beat in the mascarpone until the mixture is thick and creamy.
Spread the mascarpone frosting over the cake. Place it in the fridge to set for 1 hour.
Spread the mascarpone frosting over the cake. Place it in the fridge to set for 1 hour.
For the chocolate layer, melt the chocolate and stir in the nuts. Spread it over the cake and allow it to set in the fridge.
For the chocolate layer, melt the chocolate and stir in the nuts. Spread it over the cake and allow it to set in the fridge.
Once set, slice into squares and serve!
Once set, slice into squares and serve!
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