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23 Mascarpone Recipes That Have Nothing to Do with Tiramisu

23 Mascarpone Recipes That Have Nothing to Do with Tiramisu

By Nina Friend

Updated July 24, 2018

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This creamy cheese can be so much more than merely a topping for espresso-soaked ladyfingers (even though there's always a time and place for tiramisu). Dip into mascarpone’s sweet and savory sides with these recipes that cover everything from parfaits to pasta.

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Whipped Mascarpone

Credit: Eva Kolenko

Chef Sarah Grueneberg whips mascarpone with cream and sugar to give the dense cheese a soft and pillowy consistency. It adds that special something to any pie or tart — try it on Grueneberg’s Rhubarb and Candied Ginger Crostata!

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Cherries Poached in Red Wine with Mascarpone Cream

Credit: Ben Dearnley

You can drink your wine and eat it too with these red wine-poached cherries, which are topped with a mixture of mascarpone and honey.

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Banana Layer Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

The creaminess level in this banana cake is out of control, with layers that top mascarpone frosting with slices of fresh bananas.

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Pasta with Mushrooms and Mascarpone

Credit: © KELLER & KELLER

Leave it to Barbara Lynch to think up a pasta as decadent as this, which includes butter, heavy cream, and mascarpone.

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Mascarpone-Swirled Brownies with Nutty Caramel Corn

Why yes, these brownies DO have it all! The tangy mascarpone pairs perfectly with the fudgy chocolate, and the peanut-popcorn clusters add the ultimate crunch.

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Apricot Parfaits with Mascarpone Whipped Cream

Credit: © Con Poulos

Serve these no-bake parfaits in clear cups to see all the beautiful layers.

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Cornmeal-Almond Cake with Strawberries and Mascarpone

Credit: Paul Costello

Chef Mike Lata’s take on a strawberry shortcake combines a nutty base with a whipped mascarpone topping, adding both crunch and tang to otherwise simple flavors.

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Mascarpone Filling

Matt Lewis uses this filling to sandwich together two of his Chocolate-Gingerbread Cookies, but it works just as well as a topping for fruit (or even just plain old eat out of the bowl with a spoon).

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Polenta Pound Cake with Mascarpone and Rosemary

Simultaneously sweet and savory, this unique pound cake made with polenta can work as either a dessert or an appetizer, depending on the accompanying garnishes.

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Penne with Smoked Chicken and Mascarpone

Mascarpone doesn’t only work in desserts. Here, the cheese adds some sweetness to a chicken and pasta dish.

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Bittersweet Chocolate Tart with Coffee Mascarpone Cream

Pastry chef François Payard knows chocolate, and that comes through in this tiramisu-esque tart, piled high with coffee mascarpone cream.

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Honey-Roasted Plums with Mascarpone and Pistachios

Chef Ana Sortun’s summery dessert is made up of all the things: sweet stone fruit, creamy cheese, and crunchy nuts.

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Brandy-Mascarpone Semifreddo

This sweet semifreddo can be made in any mold or pan. Just make sure to serve it cold from the freezer so that the slices maintain their shape.

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Watermelon and Mascarpone Parfaits

Watermelon goes well with all kinds of cheese, from feta to mozzarella, so it makes sense that mascarpone would be a perfect match for these easy summertime desserts.

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Lemony Layered Cheesecake

Credit: JONATHAN LOVEKIN

Icebox cake is traditionally made with chocolate wafer cookies and whipped cream. This unique spin uses graham crackers and lemon curd.

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Mascarpone-Stuffed Roast Chicken with Spring Herb Salad

Credit: © TINA RUPP

Geoffrey Zakarian stuffs his roast chicken with seasoned mascarpone, spreading the filling underneath the skin before throwing the bird in the oven.

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Dried Cherry Compote with Shortbread and Mascarpone

Whether served in a glass or pizza style (with the mascarpone and cherry compote spread atop the shortbread), this dessert is simple yet heavenly.

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Gluten-Free Crêpes with Strawberries and Mascarpone

Credit: © Sarah Bolla

This recipe proves that you don’t need to go to Paris for incredible crêpes. For an added touch, drizzle some melted chocolate on top

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Pumpkin Layer Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

Credit: © Con Poulos

Food & Wine Culinary Director Justin Chapple blends mascarpone into classic vanilla buttercream for an added kick in this moist pumpkin cake./p>

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Fettuccine with Shrimp

Credit: © Andrew Purcell

A good balance of healthy and not-as-healthy, this pasta dish is super easy to whip up and makes for a great weeknight meal.

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Cherry-Mascarpone Cheese Tart

Made with a cornmeal cookie crust, this beautiful tart works at any time of year — simply swap out cherries for another seasonal fruit.

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Warm Chocolate Cakes with Mascarpone Cream

These mini Black Forest cakes are best served warm, topped with mascarpone cream that melts into the chocolate.

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Molasses-Gingerbread Cake with Mascarpone Cream

Pastry chef Katie Rosenhouse makes this mascarpone-topped gingerbread cake all year long. In the winter, it’s the best that comfort food can be. In the summer, it tastes like Christmas and makes you almost wish for cold weather again.

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By Nina Friend