Limoncello Mascarpone Cake Bites with Sparkling Citrus Drizzle
These Limoncello Mascarpone Cake Bites are a perfect combination of tangy lemon, creamy mascarpone, and Italian Limoncello, all coated in smooth white chocolate with a sparkling citrus drizzle. A deliciously fresh and decadent treat for parties, gatherings, or a sweet indulgence, these cake bites are easy to make, impressive, and full of vibrant citrus flavors.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours (including freezing time)
- Yield: 20-24 cake bites
- Category: Dessert, Party Treat
- Method: Baking, Dipping
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cake Bites:
1 box lemon cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box to prepare)
1 cup mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup Limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
For the White Chocolate Coating:
2 cups white chocolate chips (melted)
Yellow sugar crystals (for garnish)
White nonpareils (for garnish)
For the Sparkling Citrus Drizzle:
2 tablespoons fresh citrus juice (lemon or orange)
1/4 cup sparkling water
Instructions
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Bake the Lemon Cake: Prepare the lemon cake mix according to the package instructions. Let the cake cool completely.
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Crumble the Cake: Once the cake has cooled, crumble it into fine crumbs in a large bowl.
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Make the Mascarpone Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the mascarpone cheese, Limoncello, powdered sugar, and lemon zest until smooth.
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Combine & Shape: Mix the mascarpone filling into the cake crumbs. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 30 minutes.
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Coat in White Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate chips. Dip each cake bite into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off.
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Garnish & Decorate: Sprinkle yellow sugar crystals and nonpareils on the cake bites before the chocolate sets.
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Add the Sparkling Citrus Drizzle: Mix citrus juice with sparkling water and drizzle over the set cake bites.
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Serve & Enjoy: Let the cake bites set completely before serving.
Notes
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Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare these cake bites in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
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Variations: Try swapping the white chocolate for dark chocolate, adding freeze-dried berries, or rolling in toasted coconut flakes for different flavor twists.
