Forget whipped cream—whipped mascarpone is the ultimate match for big, juicy strawberries paired with crunchy pistachios! It’s not overly sweet and comes together in minutes, making it a perfect treat for the kids.
We all remember the classic combo of whipped cream and strawberries from childhood, but have you ever taken it up a notch? Swap the cream for luscious mascarpone cheese, adding a rich, tangy twist to those ruby-red berries! Whether you stuff them with whipped mascarpone or layer them into a parfait with crunchy pistachios, this treat is irresistible and easy to make. Mascarpone Stuffed Strawberries are a delightful treat for the whole family, baby included!
Mascarpone Cheese
Mascarpone is the cream cheese of Italians. It’s easy to make at home with simple cream and lemon juice. If you’re interested in creating your own, check out this recipe. Mascarpone is not as tangy as cream cheese; it’s higher in fat content, about 60-75%, making it buttery and milder, almost sweet. It goes perfectly with acidic fruits like strawberries.
The Whipping Technique
To make the whipped mascarpone airy and fluffy, I’ve added cream and a light amount of sugar to keep the cream taste not overly sweet. Here are a few tricks to make it the perfect texture!
- Make sure the mascarpone is not too cold. Before using it, leave it on the counter for 20 minutes to soften.
- Whip the heavy cream to a soft peak, ensuring the cream and bowl are cold. Then, incorporate the mascarpone cheese.
- You can make the mascarpone stuffing ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to use. However, you should give it a slight mix before using it in case it separates.
Formats
I stuffed the biggest strawberries by cutting the tail off and making a cross incision on top of each fruit. This makes sticking the pouch and stuffing them easy, and they hold perfectly. But we could also cut the strawberries in half lengthwise or make small parfait cups, making a lovely dessert. The ingredients are essential here, not the format.
