Mascarpone dip is indulgent with a velvety texture and, in just five minutes, will take your dessert game to the next level. This five-ingredient dip is subtly sweet and pairs perfectly with fruit, cookies, and graham crackers.
My favorite serving idea: Add this to any springtime brunch or gathering to impress your guests with an easy, delectable treat.
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This post was originally published in March 2019 and has been updated with ingredient notes, process photos, and serving ideas.
Chips and dip are definitely one of my guilty pleasures; um, hello, chips and dip snack board! But who says dips need to be savory? Sweet dips are just as delicious and wonderful for brunch or dessert boards.
This mascarpone dip is lightly sweetened, infused with the decadent flavor of vanilla bean paste, and studded with chocolate.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Five ingredients combine for an impressive and delicious dessert treat!
- Easy, 5-minute, and fuss-free - Blend and serve immediately. No chilling is required!
- Luxurious, crave-worthy texture.
- Make-ahead - This dip keeps well for up to one week.
- A wonderful addition to special occasion meals, like Valentine's Day, Easter, and Mother's Day brunch.
Ingredient Notes
- Mascarpone cheese is a soft Italian cream cheese. It is slightly sweet and has a higher fat content than American cream cheese, which contributes to its silky texture. Look for it in the gourmet cheese section of your local supermarket.
- Powdered sugar (confectioner's sugar) has a silky smooth consistency, adding sweetness without giving the dip a grainy texture.
- Vanilla bean paste adds the wonderful flavor of vanilla along with tiny specks of the vanilla bean. Vanilla extract can be substituted using a 1:1 ratio.
See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.
How to Make Mascarpone Dip
Step 1: Add the mascarpone cheese and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Blend until well combined and creamy, 1-2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and blend for an additional 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Fold in the chocolate chips. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to one week.
How to Serve
I like serving this dip with strawberries and a variety of cookies. It makes for such a pretty presentation. Graham crackers, vanilla wafer cookies, shortbread cookies, pretzels, and even nut clusters are all great options.
Add this dip to a dessert spread, a brunch table, or a snack buffet. For a Valentine's Day lunch, serve with Strawberry Tea Sandwiches. For Mother's Day, Easter, or Christmas, serve with seasonal fruit and cookies.
Recipe FAQs
Mascarpone cheese is an Italian cream cheese that is thickened with the addition of an acid, such as lemon juice or citric acid. It's slightly sweeter than traditional cream cheese and much higher in fat, which gives it a very silky, melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
Mascarpone cheese is most commonly used as an ingredient in tiramisu, a popular Italian dessert flavored with coffee and chocolate. While its mildly sweet flavor lends itself well to desserts, mascarpone adds a wonderful creaminess to savory dishes such as risotto or mashed potatoes.
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📖 Recipe Card
Mascarpone Dip
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 2 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- ¼ cup miniature chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the mascarpone and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Blend until well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla bean paste and blend until light and creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the chocolate chips.8 ounces mascarpone cheese, 2 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, ¼ cup miniature chocolate chips
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients to ensure they blend together smoothly.
- A hand-held mixer can also be used.
- This dip can be made several days in advance and refrigerated until you are ready to serve it.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
Michele Loo says
Can I use honey instead of powdered sugar? If yes how much is needed? Thank you.
Abbey says
I haven't tried honey in this recipe, but honey can generally be substituted for sugar. Since honey is sweeter than sugar, I suggest starting with just 2 Tablespoons of honey and tasting for sweetness before adding more as needed. Also, since honey is a liquid, it will give the dip a looser consistency than the powdered sugar. Please let me know how it turns out. Thanks!
Michele Loo says
Yes runnier. Is the texture suppose to be slightly grainy? Thanks! 😊
Abbey says
No, the dip is typically very smooth. Is it possible the honey was starting to crystallize? This may cause a grainy texture.