Sweet Honey and Mascarpone Dessert

By
Jennifer Meier
Jennifer Meier
Jennifer Meier
Food writer, cookbook author, and recipe developer Jennifer Meier specializes in creating healthy and diet-specific recipes.
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Updated on 07/28/21
Sweet Honey and Mascarpone Dessert

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Yield: 1/2 cup
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
595 Calories
52g Fat
31g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 595
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 52g 67%
Saturated Fat 31g 155%
Cholesterol 155mg 52%
Sodium 494mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 29g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 6mg 28%
Calcium 101mg 8%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 150mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Although considered a cheese, mascarpone isn't technically one. It is made from heavy cream that is gently heated and mixed with tartaric acid, which curdles and thickens the cream. The thickened cream is poured into cheesecloth and after 24 hours or so when most of the whey has drained off, you're left with the creamy, slightly sweet, and slightly tangy mascarpone.

Its silky texture makes it ideal for desserts, but it is also used in many savory dishes like lemon pasta or baked rigatoni. Follow our quick recipe for a 5-minute sweet treat and mix it up with our suggestions below.

The dessert will keep for just a few days in the refrigerator. In general, as with any opened dairy product, mascarpone will go bad quickly, so use any open container within three to four days.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces mascarpone

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons honey

  • 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

  • Citrus peel, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Sweet Honey and Mascarpone Dessert ingredients

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  2. Check honey consistency: if the honey is too thick to whisk into the mascarpone, heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until it's runny.

    honey in a bowl

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  3. Mix the mascarpone, honey, cinnamon, and lemon zest in a medium-size bowl, until smooth. For an airy, whipped spread, use an immersion blender.

    mascarpone, honey, cinnamon, and lemon zest in a medium-size bowl

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  4. Chill for at least 3 hours for a firmer texture or serve right away at room temperature for a creamier one.

    mascarpone mixture in a bowl

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  5. Pour in dessert glasses and garnish with a lemon zest spiral.

    Sweet Honey and Mascarpone Dessert

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Honey Mascarpone on Everything!

This honey and mascarpone blend can be served in a variety of ways (besides just eating it with a spoon):

  • Top 1/4 cup of it with chopped strawberries and garnish with sliced almonds or chopped mint.
  • Spread onto vanilla cookies or graham crackers.
  • Use it on cupcakes for frosting, but do serve immediately or keep refrigerated; otherwise, the frosting will soften and melt.
  • Thin out the Mascarpone with whole cream and pour over fruit salad, fresh figs, or large slices of fruit such as grilled apricots, peaches, or apples.
  • Put a dollop on your French toast, pancakes, and waffles. Add a drizzle of extra honey and decorate with cinnamon.
  • Make parfaits with honey mascarpone by layering with chopped fruit and granola. Refrigerate for an hour before serving.
  • Serve a slice of vanilla or lemon pound cake with a dollop of chilled honey mascarpone. Grate extra zest on top.
  • In dessert glasses, cube vanilla or lemon pound cake, cover with honey mascarpone, add extra honey, and crush vanilla cookies for crunch.

How to Store

This honey and mascarpone dessert will keep only for three to four days in the refrigerator.