Contents
A light and luscious Scandinavian layer cake made with airy vanilla sponge, whipped mascarpone cream, and fresh seasonal fruits. This Finnish "täytekakku" is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, and summer gatherings.
Equipment
- Handheld mixer or stand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Kitchen scale
- Measuring spoons
- Cake pans (8-inch round)
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Cake leveler or knife
- Spatula & offset spatula
- Small ladle
- Cutting board & knife
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Sponge Cake:
- 200 g all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 6 large eggs, separated (room temperature)
- Pinch of cream of tartar
- 200 g granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100 ml heavy cream (warm)
For the Filling & Topping:
- 200 ml pineapple juice (or liqueur)
- 400 ml heavy whipping cream (cold)
- 250 g mascarpone cheese (cold)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 150 g strawberry jam (or other preferred jam)
- Fresh fruit of choice (strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, etc.)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Pans & Oven: Grease two 8-inch round cake pans, line with parchment, and preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make the Sponge Cake: Sift flour and baking powder. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar to stiff peaks. Gradually add sugar, beat until glossy. Gently fold in egg yolks, then flour mixture in two batches. Add warm cream and vanilla, folding gently. Divide into pans and bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool completely.
- Slice the Cake Layers: Once cooled, slice each sponge horizontally to create four even layers.
- Prepare the Mascarpone Cream: Beat cold whipping cream, mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla until smooth, fluffy, and doubled in volume.
- Assemble the Cake: Place the first layer on a cake stand, drizzle with pineapple juice, spread with mascarpone cream, then a layer of strawberry jam. Repeat for remaining layers. Finish by covering the entire cake with whipped cream.
- Decorate: Top with a generous layer of fresh seasonal fruits of your choice.
Notes
Discover the charm of the traditional Finnish Täytekakku, a delightful fruit & cream vanilla cake that graces every special occasion in Finland! 🇫🇮 Whether it's birthdays, graduations, or family gatherings, this light yet luscious cake has become a beloved classic.
Despite the name translation, "täytekakku" literally means "filled cake", referring to its layers of sponge cake lavishly filled with whipped cream and fruit preserves. This version adds a refreshing twist with fresh seasonal fruits — strawberries being the timeless favorite! 🍓Why You'll Love This Fruit & Cream Cake ❤️
This cake is a dream dessert for those who love: ✔️ Light, fluffy vanilla sponge layers ✔️ Silky whipped cream with a hint of mascarpone ✔️ Sweet, juicy fruit that bursts with flavor ✔️ A simple, elegant cake that feels indulgent but not heavy Unlike heavier American-style layer cakes, the Finnish Täytekakku is known for its airy texture and natural sweetness, making it the perfect summer treat or celebration centerpiece.Sponge Cake vs Yellow Cake: The Best Base
Traditional Täytekakku always starts with a vanilla sponge cake. Unlike dense yellow cake, sponge cake holds its structure even after soaking up fruit juices and layers of cream. Its light crumb and subtle flavor allow the whipped cream and fresh fruit to truly shine. 🌟 Experiments with yellow cake showed a delicious flavor but poor structural integrity—it simply couldn’t handle the juicy, creamy filling. For this recipe, sponge cake wins hands down! 🎉The Secret to Perfect Whipped Cream: Mascarpone Magic 🧁
In Finland, recipes often call for quark, a tangy dairy product used to stabilize whipped cream. Outside of Europe, quark can be hard to find, so mascarpone is the ideal substitute. It adds a rich creaminess without overpowering the delicate balance of flavors. ✅ Mascarpone = smooth, velvety texture❌ Cream Cheese = too tangy, grainy texture for this cake
Essential Tools & Equipment 🔧
- Mixing bowls (large & small)
- Handheld or stand mixer
- Kitchen scale (essential for accuracy)
- Measuring spoons
- Two 8-inch round cake pans
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack (butter it to prevent sticking)
- Cake leveler, serrated knife, or dental floss
- Whisk, spatula, offset spatula
- Small ladle for drizzling juice
- Cutting board & knife for fruit
Ingredients for Fruit & Cream Vanilla Cake 🛒
For the Vanilla Sponge Cake:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Eggs (separated into yolks & whites, room temperature)
- Cream of tartar (just a pinch!)
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Warm heavy cream
For the Filling & Topping:
- Pineapple juice (or liqueur for an adult twist 🍍)
- Heavy whipping cream (cold)
- Mascarpone cheese (cold)
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Strawberry jam (or any favorite fruit jam)
- Fresh fruit of choice
Sounds delicious! That mascarpone cream sounds amazing. Will definitely need to try this recipe sometime.