Homemade Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake Recipe

I still remember the first time I encountered the Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake. It was at a friend’s graduation party, sitting there elegantly on the dessert table, almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. One taste, and I was smitten. The blend of sweet, tart, and creamy components wasn’t just delicious—it was an experience. Since then, I’ve dreamed of recreating this masterpiece at home.

How to make Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake

The Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake is a popular dessert known for being both light and luxurious. It’s a layered vanilla cake filled and frosted with a fluffy Chantilly cream (a mixture of whipped cream, mascarpone cheese, and/or cream cheese), and it’s loaded with fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and sometimes blackberries.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing pans
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk at room temperature

For the Chantilly Cream:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For the Berry Mixture:

• 2 cups mixed fresh berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries), plus more for garnish
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Cake Layers:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
4. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

2. Chantilly Cream:

1. In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream, mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract on high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat.

3. Berry Mixture:

1. In a medium bowl, gently toss the berries with granulated sugar and lemon juice. Let sit for about 15 minutes to macerate.

4. Assembly:

1. Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Spread a layer of the Chantilly cream over the cake, then spoon half of the berry mixture on top.
2. Add the second cake layer and repeat the process with more cream and the remaining berries.
3. Top with the final cake layer and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining Chantilly cream. Garnish with additional fresh berries.
4. Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving to allow it to set.

Tips for Success

• Ingredient Temperature: Ensure your eggs, buttermilk, and mascarpone cheese are at room temperature to achieve a smooth batter and cream.
• Gentle Folding: When adding flour and buttermilk to the creamed butter and sugar, fold gently to keep the cake airy and light.
• Do Not Overmix: Overmixing the Chantilly cream can make it buttery, so watch closely for stiff peaks.
• Berry Variations: Feel free to use your favorite combination of berries for the filling and topping. Freshness and quality of the berries are key to the vibrant flavor of the cake.
• Cooling Time: It is crucial to allow the cake to cool completely before assembly to prevent the Chantilly cream from melting when applied.

What to serve with

Serving the Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake as the centerpiece of your dessert table is a splendid choice. Its light, airy texture and the harmony of sweet cream and berries make it a universally appealing dessert.

Beverages

1. Coffee or Espresso:

Why It Works: The robust and slightly bitter notes of coffee or espresso can perfectly counterbalance the sweetness of the cake, enhancing its flavors without overpowering them.

Serving Tip: Offer a selection of sugar, cream, and perhaps a flavored syrup like vanilla or hazelnut to allow guests to customize their coffee to their liking.

2. Tea:

Why It Works: A light, fragrant tea such as Earl Grey, chamomile, or a floral green tea can complement the lightness of the Chantilly cream and the freshness of the berries without competing for attention.

Serving Tip: Serve hot or as iced tea, depending on the season and preference. Adding a slice of lemon or a few fresh berries in the iced tea can tie it beautifully to the cake’s flavors.

3. Sparkling Wine or Champagne:

Why It Works: The effervescence of a good sparkling wine or champagne brilliantly contrasts with the cake’s creaminess, cleansing the palate and enhancing both the Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake and the wine’s flavors.

Serving Tip: Choose a Brut (dry) champagne or sparkling wine to avoid adding too much sweetness when paired with the Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake.

Light Eats

1. Fruit Platter:

Why It Works: A beautifully arranged platter of fresh fruits that complements the cake’s berry theme can offer a refreshing and lighter option for those who might want to indulge in a variety of flavors.

Serving Tip: Include fruits like kiwis, mangoes, pineapple, and more berries to add color and a range of flavors. A honey yogurt dip can be a delightful addition.

2. Cheese Board:

Why It Works: A selection of cheeses can offer a savory counterpoint to the sweetness of the cake. Include a range of soft to hard cheeses to offer variety.

Serving Tip: Accompany the cheeses with crackers, nuts, and maybe some honeycomb to allow for interesting and varied flavor pairings.

Ingredients Substitutes

The Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake is celebrated for its light, airy layers of cake, rich Chantilly cream, and fresh berry filling. When baking this delectable dessert at home, you might need to substitute ingredients due to dietary restrictions, personal preference, or simply because you’re missing an ingredient.

Cake Layers

• All-Purpose Flour: For a gluten-free version, you can use a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Ensure it contains xanthan gum or add ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup of flour to help with the texture.
• Sugar: To reduce the refined sugar, you can substitute granulated sugar with coconut sugar or a granulated stevia blend following the conversion rates on the packaging.
• Eggs: For an eggless cake, use flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, set to rest for 15 minutes, equals one egg) or commercial egg replacers available in health food shops.
• Butter: For a dairy-free version, substitute butter in the cake with an equal amount of plant-based butter or margarine. Make sure it’s suitable for baking.

Chantilly Cream

• Heavy Cream: A dairy-free heavy cream alternative can be made using canned coconut cream. Refrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk overnight, then scoop out the solidified coconut cream and whip it as you would heavy cream. Another option is to look for plant-based heavy whipping cream products.
• Mascarpone Cheese: For a lighter version, you can use full-fat Greek yogurt as a substitute. If you need a dairy-free option, vegan cream cheese alternatives could work, though the taste and texture will slightly differ.
• Powdered Sugar: If you’re out of powdered sugar, you can make your own by blending granulated sugar in a high-speed blender until it’s fine and powdery. To reduce refined sugar, powdered coconut sugar is an alternative, though it will alter the color and taste of the cream.

Berry Filling

• Fresh Berries: If fresh berries are not in season or too pricey, frozen berries are an excellent substitute. Thaw and drain them well before use to avoid adding extra moisture that could make the layers soggy.
• Berry Jam: If you don’t have homemade or store-bought berry jam for the filling, you can cook down frozen or fresh berries with a little sugar to make a quick, jam-like filling. Adjust the quantity of sugar based on the natural sweetness of the berries and your preference.

Assembly and Garnishing

• Edible Flowers: While these make for a stunning decoration, they can be hard to come by. Instead, you could use extra fresh berries, mint leaves, or thinly sliced fruit for a beautiful, natural cake topping.

Final Thoughts

When deciding what to serve with the Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake, aim for a balance of flavors and textures that will enhance and not overshadow the cake’s delicate beauty.

More Whole Foods Recipe:

• Homemade Whole Foods Carrot Cake Recipe