Limoncello Mascarpone Cake – Bright, Creamy, and Elegantly Light

This Limoncello Mascarpone Cake is a stunning celebration of citrus and cream, combining the rich, velvety texture of mascarpone with the zesty brightness of lemon. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, with a tender cake base and a lusciously smooth topping kissed with Limoncello flavor. It’s the kind of dessert that feels luxurious without being heavy—perfect for spring and summer gatherings or any time you want to serve a refreshing, eye-catching treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Zesty and Refreshing – Real lemon juice and Limoncello bring fresh, vibrant flavor.
Light Yet Decadent – Mascarpone gives it richness without heaviness.
Elegant Presentation – A show-stopping dessert that’s deceptively easy to make.
Make-Ahead Friendly – Perfect when prepped a day in advance to let flavors meld.

Ingredients

For the cake layer:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 large egg whites
• ½ cup granulated sweetener (or sugar)
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ⅓ cup low-fat milk
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the mascarpone topping:

• 8 oz light mascarpone cheese (or reduced-fat cream cheese)
• ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup powdered sweetener (or powdered sugar)
• 2 tbsp Limoncello liqueur
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• Optional: thin lemon slices or fresh mint for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

2. Make the Cake Batter
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat egg whites and sweetener until fluffy. Mix in applesauce, milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Gradually stir in dry ingredients until just combined.

3. Bake the Cake
Pour batter into the pan and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

4. Prepare the Mascarpone Topping
In a medium bowl, beat together mascarpone, yogurt, powdered sweetener, Limoncello, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy.

5. Assemble the Cake
Once the cake has cooled, spread the mascarpone mixture evenly over the top. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the topping to set.

6. Garnish and Serve
Before serving, garnish with lemon slices or mint if desired. Slice and enjoy chilled.

Nutritional Information (Per Slice)

Calories: 170
Protein: 5g
Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Sugar: 8g
Fiber: 1g

Tips for Success

• Zest First, Juice Later – Always zest lemons before juicing for the most flavor.
• Chill Time is Key – The mascarpone topping sets beautifully with enough chill time.
• Use a Light Hand – Don’t overmix the batter to keep the cake soft and airy.
• Add Extra Elegance – Dust with powdered sweetener or serve with fresh berries.

Why This Recipe Works

This cake brings together light ingredients and bold flavor. The tender, lemon-infused cake offers the perfect base for the silky mascarpone topping, which gets a flavor boost from real Limoncello. The result is an indulgent-tasting dessert that’s refreshingly bright and lighter than traditional mascarpone cakes.

Limoncello Mascarpone Cake is a citrus-forward dessert that feels as special as it tastes. With its fresh lemon flavor, creamy topping, and delicate crumb, it’s an elegant way to end a meal—whether you’re entertaining or simply treating yourself to something beautiful and light.