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Chantilly Cake recipe is one of those recipe that manages to impress everyone with its delicate flavor, light texture, and beautifully simple presentation. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just as a sweet treat, this cake is sure to satisfy your cravings for something airy, creamy, and utterly delicious. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Chantilly cake recipe from start to finish, sharing helpful tips and variations to make it your own.

What is Chantilly Cake?

Chantilly Cake, often referred to as vanilla Chantilly cake or simply Chantilly cake, is a light, fluffy cake that is paired with a delicate Chantilly frosting made from whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla. The name “Chantilly” is derived from the French region of Chantilly, known for its traditional whipped cream desserts.

The base of Chantilly Cake is typically a soft, moist vanilla cake, but the real star is the Chantilly frosting, which has a light, whipped texture and a rich vanilla flavor. This cake is often topped with fresh berries, giving it a fresh, fruity finish that adds an extra layer of flavor to each bite. Whether served at a birthday party, a wedding, or a family gathering, Chantilly Cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Chantilly Cake Recipe

There are many reasons why people love Chantilly Cake:

Light and Fluffy Texture: The cake is incredibly soft and airy, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Whipped Cream Frosting: The Chantilly frosting is sweet, creamy, and not overly rich, making it the perfect complement to the delicate cake layers.
Versatile Flavor Pairing: While the classic vanilla Chantilly cake is delicious on its own, it pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, nuts, or even a light drizzle of chocolate.
Elegant Yet Simple: Despite its elegant appearance, this cake is relatively simple to make and doesn’t require any complex techniques.
Perfect for Special Occasions: Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, or a holiday, Chantilly Cake is the kind of cake that makes any occasion feel special.

Let’s dive right into how you can make this incredible cake from scratch!

Ingredients for Chantilly Cake

To make this Chantilly Cake recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

For the Vanilla Cake:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
½ cup sour cream (room temperature)

For the Chantilly Frosting:

3 cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

For Decoration:

Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries)
Optional: edible flowers or mint leaves for garnish

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chantilly Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Vanilla Cake Layers

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. If you prefer, you can also line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper for easier removal.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet Ingredients: Alternate adding the dry ingredients (flour mixture) and wet ingredients (milk and sour cream) to the butter mixture. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Mix each addition just until incorporated.
Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Chantilly Frosting

Chill the Mixing Bowl and Beaters: For the best results, chill your mixing bowl and the beaters of your hand mixer or stand mixer for about 15 minutes in the freezer. This helps the heavy cream whip more effectively.
Whip the Cream: Pour the cold heavy cream into the chilled bowl. Using a mixer, begin whipping on medium speed. Gradually increase the speed to high as the cream starts to thicken.
Add Sugar and Vanilla: Once the cream begins to form soft peaks, add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue to beat until stiff peaks form, but be careful not to over-whip, or the cream may turn into butter.
Check the Consistency: The whipped cream should be thick and hold stiff peaks when you lift the beaters. Set the frosting aside in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the cake.

Step 3: Assemble the Chantilly Cake

Trim the Cake Layers (Optional): If the tops of the cakes have domed while baking, use a serrated knife to level them. This ensures the cakes will stack evenly.
Frost the First Cake Layer: Place one of the cooled cake layers onto a serving platter or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of Chantilly frosting over the top using an offset spatula.
Add the Second Cake Layer: Place the second cake layer on top, pressing gently to secure it.
Frost the Cake: Use the remaining Chantilly frosting to cover the entire cake, including the sides. Smooth the frosting with a spatula for an even finish.
Decorate with Fresh Berries: Top the cake with a mix of fresh berries, arranging them as you like. You can also add edible flowers or mint leaves for a more decorative touch.

Tips for Perfecting Your Chantilly Cake

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter, eggs, milk, and sour cream are at room temperature before beginning. This will help the ingredients mix together more smoothly, resulting in a lighter, fluffier cake.
Don’t Overwhip the Cream: When making the Chantilly frosting, be careful not to overwhip the cream. Overwhipping can cause the whipped cream to turn into butter, and you’ll lose that airy texture that makes Chantilly frosting so delicious.
Customize with Flavors: While the classic Chantilly cake is made with vanilla, you can experiment with different flavors for a twist. Add citrus zest (lemon or orange), almond extract, or even a splash of coffee for a unique flavor profile.
Chill the Cake: Allow the cake to chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This helps the frosting set and makes the cake easier to slice.
Decorate Creatively: Fresh berries are the most common decoration for Chantilly Cake, but feel free to add other fruits, like sliced peaches, or even a dusting of powdered sugar for a more elegant look.

Variations of Chantilly Cake

While the vanilla Chantilly cake is the most popular version, there are several ways to customize this dessert to fit your tastes or the occasion. Here are a few ideas:

Chantilly Cake with Fresh Berries: As mentioned, fresh berries are a common topping for Chantilly Cake, and they add a burst of natural sweetness and color. Try a mix of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a vibrant look.
Chocolate Chantilly Cake: If you’re a chocolate lover, consider making a chocolate cake base. You can swap out some of the flour for cocoa powder and adjust the sugar to balance the flavor. The Chantilly frosting pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate cake.
Lemon Chantilly Cake: Add lemon zest to both the cake and the frosting to create a refreshing, citrusy version of this dessert. Lemon complements the sweetness of the whipped cream perfectly.
Chantilly Cake with Almonds: Add sliced almonds to the frosting or sprinkle them over the top of the cake for extra texture and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Chantilly Cake Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make the cake layers a day or two ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. The frosting should be made fresh to ensure the best texture.

Can I Use Store-Bought Frosting?

While homemade Chantilly frosting is the best for this cake, you can use store-bought whipped cream as a shortcut. Just make sure to whip it further with powdered sugar and