Description
Playful limoncello mascarpone cake pops dance with zesty Italian charm, offering a sweet Mediterranean escape. Creamy mascarpone and bright citrus notes create irresistible bite-sized indulgence that will transport you to a sunny coastal terrace.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 1 vanilla or lemon cake (homemade or store-bought)
Cream Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) mascarpone cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) Limoncello liqueur
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating and Decoration:
- 2 cups (340 grams) white chocolate or candy melts, melted
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) coconut oil or vegetable shortening
- Lollipop sticks
- Yellow sprinkles or lemon zest (for decoration, optional)
Instructions
- Transform a completely cooled cake into fine, delicate crumbs using your hands or a food processor.
- Incorporate mascarpone cheese, aromatic Limoncello, bright lemon zest, and fragrant vanilla extract into the cake crumbs, kneading until the mixture forms a cohesive, moldable consistency.
- Craft uniform spherical treats approximately one inch in diameter, positioning each carefully on a parchment-lined tray.
- Gently embed a lollipop stick into the center of each cake sphere, then transfer the tray to the freezer for 20-30 minutes to solidify.
- Melt white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, blending with coconut oil until achieving a silky, smooth texture at 110°F.
- Methodically submerge each chilled cake sphere into the warm white chocolate, ensuring complete and even coverage by rotating gently.
- Delicately remove excess chocolate by softly tapping the stick, then position the coated pops vertically in a styrofoam block or on parchment paper.
- Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle with vibrant yellow decorative crystals or scatter fresh lemon zest for an elegant, citrusy accent.
- Allow the cake pops to rest at room temperature until the chocolate completely hardens, approximately 15-20 minutes, then serve and savor.
Notes
- Chill cake balls thoroughly before dipping to prevent crumbling and ensure smooth chocolate coating.
- Use room temperature mascarpone for easier mixing and a more uniform cake pop texture.
- Adjust Limoncello quantity for stronger or milder lemon flavor, keeping mixture’s consistency stable.
- Opt for gluten-free cake mix or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 235 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg