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Chantilly Cake

17/11/2023

The Chantilly Cake is an elegant and delicious dessert, perfect for special occasions. It consists of sponge cake, liquor syrup, custard cream, and whipped cream. Let’s see together how to prepare it.

Ingredients

  • For the Sponge Cake:

    • 4 eggs
    • 120 g of sugar
    • 120 g of all-purpose flour
    • A pinch of salt
    • Grated zest of lemon (optional)

  • For the Chantilly Cream:

    • 500 ml of whole milk
    • 1 vanilla pod
    • 4 egg yolks
    • 100 g of sugar
    • 40 g of cornstarch (cornflour)
    • 200 ml of fresh cream for whipping
    • Icing sugar (to taste)

  • For the syrup:

    • 100 ml of water
    • 50 g of sugar
    • A shot of liquor of choice (e.g., Alchermes, rum or maraschino)

  • Additionally:

    • Whipped cream for decorating
    • Fresh fruit for decorating (strawberries, berries, kiwi, etc.)

Preparation

  1. Begin with the preparation of the Sponge Cake: preheat the oven to 180 °C. Separate the yolks from the whites and beat the latter until stiff with a pinch of salt. In a separate bowl, whip the yolks with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Gently fold in the sifted flour, mixing from the top down to avoid deflating the mixture. Incorporate the lemon zest if you wish for a citrus aroma. Pour the mixture into a buttered and floured mold and bake for about 30 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

  2. While the sponge cake is cooling, prepare the custard cream. Boil the milk with the split vanilla pod to release the seeds. In a bowl, whisk the yolks with the sugar, then add the cornstarch. Pour the hot milk over the yolks, stirring continuously, then return everything to the heat and cook until the cream thickens. Allow it to cool, then cover it with plastic wrap.

  3. Prepare the syrup by dissolving the sugar in water and add the selected liquor.

  4. Once the custard cream is cool, whip the cream and gently fold it into the cream to obtain the Chantilly.

  5. Cut the sponge cake into three horizontal layers. Soak the first layer with some syrup, then spread a layer of Chantilly cream on top. Cover with the second layer of sponge cake, soak and repeat the operation.

  6. Close with the last layer of sponge cake, soak this too and cover the whole cake with the remaining Chantilly cream.

  7. Decorate the cake with whipped cream and fresh fruit as you like.

Curiosity

The Chantilly Cake takes its name from the famous cream, which in turn is named after the town of Chantilly, near Paris, known for the castle and the traditional cream market. In Italy, this cake is often a centerpiece at wedding buffets and special events for its refinement and its light and delicious texture.

Chantilly Cake