Most of the recipes I share here are dairy-free, but this Orange Mascarpone Frosting is one dairy-full option I had to include. While I love goat and sheep’s milk products, I significantly limit my cow’s dairy intake – I simply feel better without it and have a kiddo at home who is dairy intolerant. But when I do splurge, it is usually to make a mascarpone frosting for a special occasion.
This frosting is amazing on cakes or cupcakes and turns my Soft and Fluffy Pumpkin Bars (with White Beans and a Healthy Twist) into a decadent treat. It is fluffier than your usual frosting, lightly sweetened with maple syrup, and simply delicious – you’ll have to be careful not to eat it by the spoonful!
You can swap the orange zest for another citrus, depending on what you are using it for, or add a touch of vanilla or cinnamon. You can even turn it into a chocolate frosting. So many options!
Step by Step Instructions for Orange Mascarpone Frosting
Gather all ingredients: Mascarpone, whipping cream, fine sea salt, orange, maple syrup.
Add mascarpone, cream, orange zest, and salt to a clean bowl and whip until light and fluffy.
Add the maple syrup and whip again until just blended.
Orange Mascarpone Frosting
This easy Orange Mascarpone Frosting is light, fluffy, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Its bright citrus flavor makes it perfect for cakes, cupcakes, or pumpkin bars - with simple options to add cinnamon or turn it into a chocolate frosting.
2
cups10
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
8 oz mascarpone cheese, cold
1 cup whipping cream, cold
1/2 - 1 tsp finely grated zest from an organic orange*
pinch fine sea salt
1/4 cup maple syrup
Directions
- Add the mascarpone, whipping cream, orange zest, and sea salt to the (clean and dry) bowl of your stand mixer or a medium mixing bowl if using a hand mixer.
- Start on low speed, then gradually increase to high. Whip until you reach a light, whipped-cream consistency.
- Add the maple syrup and mix just until blended — do not overmix, or the frosting may lose its airy texture.
- Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- *You can use other citrus zest or flavor the frosting with cinnamon. If turning it into a chocolate version, use cacao powder and increase the maple syrup slightly to balance the bitterness. Add both gradually, a spoonful at a time, until you reach the flavor and consistency you like.
