Pinocchiotårta is a whimsical and fun Swedish dessert, often associated with a creative, layered cake filled with mousse and other delicious fillings. The cake is typically decorated to resemble Pinocchio, the beloved wooden puppet. This dessert often features a light sponge cake base, a creamy filling, and sometimes marzipan or whipped cream for decoration.
Here’s a recipe for a simple and delightful Pinocchiotårta:
Pinocchiotårta Recipe (Pinocchio Cake)
Ingredients:
For the Sponge Cake (Base):
- 4 large eggs
- 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
- 100g (3/4 cup) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
For the Mousse Filling:
- 300ml (1 1/4 cups) heavy cream
- 200g (7 oz) mascarpone cheese
- 100g (1/2 cup) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 200g (7 oz) dark chocolate (or milk chocolate, depending on preference)
- 1 tbsp water (for melting the chocolate)
- 1 tbsp orange liqueur or juice (optional, for added flavor)
For the Decoration:
- Whipped cream for decorating the top (optional)
- Marzipan (for creating facial features like Pinocchio’s nose, eyes, and mouth)
- Fresh berries or fruit (optional, for added decoration)
- Chocolate shavings or small chocolate pieces (optional, for decoration)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions:
1. Make the Sponge Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line a round cake tin (20-24 cm / 8-10 inches in diameter).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes with an electric mixer).
- Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into the egg mixture and gently fold it in until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and smooth the top.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the sponge cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Prepare the Mousse Filling:
- Melt the chocolate: Break the dark chocolate into pieces and melt it with 1 tbsp water over a double boiler or in the microwave (use short intervals, stirring in between). Let it cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- In another large bowl, whisk the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth.
- Combine the melted chocolate into the mascarpone mixture, followed by the whipped cream. Stir everything gently until you have a smooth mousse-like consistency.
- Optionally, add orange liqueur or juice for a light citrusy flavor.
3. Assemble the Cake:
- Cut the sponge cake into two layers. If the sponge is uneven, trim the top to create a flat surface.
- Place one layer of sponge cake at the bottom of a springform pan or directly on a serving plate. Optionally, spread a thin layer of jam (raspberry or strawberry) on top.
- Spread the mousse filling evenly over the first layer of cake.
- Place the second layer of sponge cake on top and gently press it down.
- Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible, to allow the mousse to set properly.
4. Decorate the Pinocchiotårta:
- Whipped cream: Whip some heavy cream and spread it on top of the cake or pipe it into decorative shapes (like borders or dollops) to make it look extra appealing.
- Facial Features: Use marzipan to create facial features such as Pinocchio’s nose, eyes, and mouth. You can also use chocolate for smaller details like the eyes or eyebrows.
- Berries: Decorate with fresh berries such as raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries for a refreshing contrast to the rich mousse.
- Optionally, dust the cake with powdered sugar or add chocolate shavings for an elegant finish.
5. Serve:
Once decorated, slice the Pinocchiotårta and serve! This rich, creamy dessert with its light sponge and fun decoration will definitely impress your guests.
Tips:
- Liqueur: If you don’t want to use alcohol, you can substitute the orange liqueur with a few teaspoons of orange juice or zest for the citrus flavor.
- Marzipan: For creating Pinocchio’s face, marzipan is easy to shape and mold, but you can also use fondant if that’s more available.
- Filling variations: If you want to switch things up, you can replace the chocolate mousse with a different flavor, such as vanilla, coffee, or fruit-flavored mousse.
Enjoy your Pinocchiotårta—a fun and delicious treat for any special occasion!