Imagine transforming a simple Italian pandoro into a stunning, show-stopping dessert that will make your holiday guests gasp with delight! This No-Bake Pandoro Christmas Tree Cake is not just a dessert; it's an edible work of art that captures the enchantment of the holiday season. With minimal effort and maximum wow-factor, you'll create a festive masterpiece that looks like it was crafted by a professional pastry chef – but takes just 30 minutes to prepare!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 10 servings
Ingredients
- 1 large pandoro cake
- 2 cups whipped cream
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup mixed berries
- Mint leaves for decoration
- Chocolate shavings for decoration
Instructions
- Carefully remove the pandoro cake from its packaging and place it on a large serving platter. Using a serrated knife, slice the pandoro horizontally into 5-6 even layers, creating a tree-like shape when stacked.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the whipped cream, mascarpone cheese, and powdered sugar. Gently fold the ingredients together until smooth and well-incorporated, creating a light and creamy filling.
- Begin assembling the cake by spreading a thin layer of the cream mixture between each layer of pandoro, carefully stacking them to maintain the triangular Christmas tree shape.
- Once all layers are stacked, use the remaining cream mixture to frost the entire cake, covering the sides and top completely. Ensure the cream is spread evenly to create a smooth, tree-like appearance.
- Carefully arrange the mixed berries across the cake, strategically placing them to resemble ornaments on a Christmas tree. Use different colored berries for a festive look.
- Sprinkle chocolate shavings over the cake to create a snow-like effect, adding texture and additional flavor to the dessert.
- Garnish the top of the cake with fresh mint leaves to enhance the festive appearance and add a touch of green.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the cream to set and the flavors to meld together.
- Just before serving, dust the cake with additional powdered sugar to create a snow-like finish, enhancing the Christmas tree aesthetic.
- Slice and serve chilled, ensuring each portion includes multiple layers of pandoro and cream.
Tips
- Choose a high-quality pandoro cake for the best flavor and texture. Look for a fresh, soft cake from an Italian bakery if possible.
- Ensure your whipped cream and mascarpone are very cold before mixing to achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
- Use a serrated knife and a gentle hand when slicing the pandoro to keep the layers even and prevent crumbling.
- When stacking the layers, work on a cake stand or large flat plate to make transportation easier.
- For a more stable cream filling, you can slightly chill the mascarpone and whipped cream mixture before assembling the cake.
- Get creative with berry placement – vary the colors and sizes to make your "tree" look more natural and festive.
- If you want a more dramatic snow effect, use white chocolate shavings instead of regular chocolate.
- Prepare this cake a day ahead and keep refrigerated to allow flavors to meld and make serving easier.
- For a kid-friendly version, you can substitute the mascarpone with cream cheese for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Always serve chilled and dust with powdered sugar just before serving for the freshest presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
