Trader Joe's Chantilly Cake Recipe

This Trader Joe’s style Chantilly Cake is a light and fluffy recipe, which is made with a delicate vanilla cake and a luscious mascarpone cream frosting. It’s the perfect celebration cake, a copycat of the beloved grocery store favorite, ready to impress at any party or special occasion.

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Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Ingredients

A classic combination for a truly elegant and impressive layer cake.

For the Vanilla Cake:

3½ cups cake flour (420g)
2½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup whole milk, at room temperature

For the Berry Filling:

½ cup seedless berry jam (raspberry or strawberry)
2 tablespoons water
8 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
4 ounces each of fresh raspberries and blueberries
Juice and zest of 1 lemon

For the Chantilly Cream Frosting:

2 (8-ounce) containers mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

How To Make Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake

A step-by-step guide to this stunning and delicious layer cake.

Bake the Cake Layers: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl with a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
Finish Batter and Bake: On low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk/oil mixture until just combined. Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool completely.
Prepare the Fillings: While the cakes cool, mix the jam and water in a small bowl. In another bowl, toss the fresh berries with the lemon zest and juice.
Make the Chantilly Cream: In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone and cream cheese until smooth. On low speed, gradually beat in the sifted powdered sugar. In a separate chilled bowl, beat the cold heavy cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.
Assemble the Cake: Carefully slice each cooled cake layer in half horizontally to create four thin layers. Place one layer on a cake plate. Spread with a thin layer of the jam mixture, then about 3/4 cup of the Chantilly cream. Sprinkle with a third of the fresh berries.
Layer and Frost: Repeat the layers: cake, jam, cream, berries. After the final cake layer is on top, use the remaining Chantilly cream to thinly frost the top and sides of the cake. You can pipe decorative swirls on top. Garnish with a generous pile of more fresh berries. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Trader Joe's Chantilly Cake Recipe — Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Recipe

Recipe Tips

For a perfect, light, and stable Chantilly cake.

How to get a light and fluffy cake? The two secrets are using cake flour, which is finer and has less protein than all-purpose flour, and creaming the butter and sugar for a full 4 minutes. This incorporates a lot of air into the batter, which is essential for a light, tender crumb.
How to make a stable Chantilly cream? The combination of mascarpone and cream cheese is key! It creates a frosting that has the light, luscious flavor of whipped cream but is much more stable for layering and frosting a cake. Ensure all your dairy is at the correct temperature (cold for cream, room temp for cheeses).
Can I make this ahead of time? This is a perfect cake to make in stages. You can bake the cake layers, let them cool, wrap them well, and store them at room temperature for up to 2 days. The assembled cake is best on the day it’s made, but will keep, covered, in the refrigerator.
How do I cut the cake layers evenly? A long, serrated bread knife is the best tool for this. Score a line around the middle of the cake first, then use a gentle sawing motion to cut all the way through, keeping the knife level.

What To Serve With Chantilly Cake

This elegant cake is a complete celebration on its own.

A slice of this beautiful, fresh cake is the star of any special event. It is perfect served with:

A glass of Champagne or Prosecco
A cup of high-quality coffee or a light herbal tea

How To Store Chantilly Cake

Keeping your beautiful creation fresh.

Refrigerate: Because of the fresh cream and cheese in the frosting, this cake must be stored in the refrigerator. Keep it in a cake carrier or covered loosely. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days.

Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Nutrition Facts

The provided nutrition facts appear to be an error. Below is a more realistic estimate per slice.

Calories: 680 kcal
Carbohydrates: 75 g
Protein: 8 g
Fat: 40 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

What’s the difference between Chantilly Cream and regular whipped cream?

Technically, “Crème Chantilly” is simply sweetened whipped cream, often flavored with vanilla. This modern American bakery version is a stabilized frosting made with mascarpone and cream cheese to make it sturdy enough for a layer cake.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?

You can, but the cake will be denser and less tender. Cake flour has a lower protein content which results in a finer, softer crumb, perfect for a delicate cake like this.

Can I use a different kind of fruit?

Yes, while mixed berries are classic for the Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods versions, this cake would be fantastic with fresh sliced peaches in the summer or a cooked cranberry-orange compote in the winter.

Try More Recipes:

Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Dip Recipe
Trader Joe’s Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Trader Joe’s Beef Bulgogi Recipe