Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Recipe

If you’ve ever walked through the bakery section at Trader Joe’s, you’ve probably noticed their famous Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Recipe. This dreamy dessert is known for its light, fluffy layers and a beautiful combination of whipped cream and fresh fruit. It’s one of those cakes that feels both indulgent and refreshing at the same time.

When I first tasted this cake, I knew I had to recreate it at home. After a few trials, I found the perfect balance of soft vanilla-almond cake, tangy yogurt whipped cream, and bursts of fresh berries. The result? A homemade Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake that rivals the original.

In this recipe, I’ll walk you through every step – from preparing the cake layers to assembling and decorating with berries – so you can make your own version right in your kitchen.

My Personal Experience With This Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Recipe

Baking this cake was such a fun journey for me. I wanted something elegant but not overly complicated, and this recipe delivered just that. The reverse creaming method made the cake layers level, tender, and incredibly moist – perfect for stacking.

What I loved most was how customizable the filling could be. My family are total berry lovers, so I went heavy on strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. But honestly, this cake would taste amazing with cherries, peaches, or even citrus slices.

The best part? Seeing my daughter’s excitement when she took her first bite. She calls it our “special celebration cake,” and now it’s become a family tradition for birthdays and gatherings.

Ingredients Required for Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Recipe

Gather all the following ingredients, before you start making this Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake

Cake Layers:

• 2 ½ cups cake flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ¼ cup neutral oil
• 1 cup whole milk (divided)
• 6 large egg whites
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract (optional)

Whipped Cream Frosting:

• 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup full-fat Greek yogurt
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 packet whip-it stabilizer (optional)

Fruit Filling & Topping:

• 1 cup strawberries (sliced)
• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ cup blackberries
• ½ cup raspberries

Kitchen Utensils Required

1. Three 8-inch round cake pans
2. Parchment paper & plastic wrap
3. Stand mixer with whisk attachment
4. Offset spatula & cake leveler
5. Cake drum or serving platter

Preparation & Cooking Time

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Bake Time: 30–35 minutes

Cooling & Decorating: 1 hour

Total Time: ~2 hours

Copycat Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Recipe

Just follow this simple step by step guideline to make your homemade version of Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake in a delicious way.

1. Prep Pans & Oven: Grease three 8-inch cake pans with butter, line with parchment, and flour the sides. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Prepare Cake Batter: Whisk egg whites, ½ cup milk, vanilla, and almond extract in a measuring cup. In a separate bowl, mix cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add softened butter and oil, then the remaining milk. Combine with the egg mixture in three additions until smooth.

3. Bake Cakes: Divide batter evenly into pans and bake 30–35 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick. Let the cakes cool completely. Optional: freeze layers for easier frosting later.

4. Make Whipped Cream Frosting: Chill mixing bowl and whisk for 5 minutes. Whip cold heavy cream and Greek yogurt until slightly thickened. Add powdered sugar and whip to soft peaks, then fold in stabilizer if using. Whisk by hand until stiff peaks form.

5. Assemble Cake: Place the first cake layer on a cake drum, spread a thin layer of whipped cream, and add berries. Repeat with the second layer. Top with the third layer. Apply a thin crumb coat, chill briefly, then frost the entire cake with a thicker layer.

6. Decorate & Serve: Pipe borders using a star tip or simply pile berries on top. Optionally, add edible flowers. Chill before serving for best results.

Also check another popular recipe from Trader Joe’s from below

Trader Joe’s Vanilla Bean Paste Recipe

Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Dip Recipe

Trader Joe’s Tempeh Recipe

Delicious Ways to Customize and Serve This Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake

Here are some Variations and Customizations ideas you can try to enjoy this Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake deliciously

1. Morning Indulgence with Coffee: Honestly, the first time I tried a slice with my morning latte, it was magical. The lightness of the whipped cream paired with the bold coffee flavor is a perfect wake-up treat.

2. Afternoon Tea Companion: We once hosted a small tea party and served Chantilly Cake alongside chamomile and Earl Grey teas. Guests kept going back for seconds – the floral notes of the tea bring out the subtle almond flavor in the cake.

3. Berry Explosion: Sometimes we double down on fruit. I like to serve an extra handful of fresh berries on the side. The tartness of the berries cuts through the creaminess perfectly, and it looks so beautiful on the plate.

4. Chocolate Lovers’ Twist: One weekend, I added a drizzle of melted dark chocolate over the top. It was a game-changer – that slight bitterness against the sweet cake made everyone ask for seconds.

5. With a Scoop of Ice Cream: On hot days, I serve a slice with vanilla bean or strawberry ice cream. It’s almost like eating a homemade dessert parfait – creamy, fruity, and indulgent all at once.

6. Mini Dessert Cups: For parties, we sometimes cut small pieces and layer them in glass cups with extra whipped cream and berries. Guests love the presentation, and it makes serving a crowd so much easier.

7. Citrus Zest Kick: One time, I sprinkled a little orange zest on top before serving. The subtle citrus aroma brightened up each bite – it’s amazing how a tiny tweak makes a classic taste so fresh.

8. Brunch Centerpiece: We once used this cake as the centerpiece for a brunch table. I paired it with fresh squeezed juice, scrambled eggs, and pastries. Everyone commented on how light and airy it was – the perfect brunch dessert.

9. Edible Flower Elegance: I love garnishing the cake with edible flowers from our garden. It instantly makes the dessert look sophisticated, and guests often comment on how stunning it looks before they even take a bite.

10. Champagne Pairing: On special occasions, we like to serve slices with a glass of sparkling wine or champagne. The bubbles lift the creaminess, and the berries taste even brighter – it feels like a fancy bakery experience at home.

Some Notable Tips and Tricks on This Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Recipe

Here are some tips and tricks you should follow when trying this recipe.

1. Use cold cream for frosting – Cold cream whips faster and stays fluffy longer.

2. Don’t skip the parchment paper – It helps the cakes come out of the pan cleanly.

3. Trim cake tops – Makes your layers even and your cake look neat.

4. Freeze layers if you want – Frozen cakes are easier to frost without breaking.

5. Be gentle with berries – Too much pressing can make the frosting messy.

6. Chill your mixing bowl – Helps whipped cream reach soft peaks quickly.

7. Add a little almond extract – Gives the cake a sweet, nutty flavor.

8. Check your oven temperature – Cakes bake best at a steady 350°F.

9. Spread frosting slowly – Thin layers first, then thicker, to avoid crumbs.

10. Have fun decorating – Fresh fruit and edible flowers make it look fancy!

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Properly?

If you have any leftover (hopefully you don’t have) you can process them properly as follows,

This cake is best enjoyed fresh, but you can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze cake layers (before frosting) wrapped in plastic and foil. Thaw in the fridge overnight before assembling.

FAQs on this Copycat Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Recipe

When you give this Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake Recipe a try, you might have a few questions. Don’t worry-we’ve rounded up answers to the most common ones to help you out.

1. What are the ingredients in Trader Joe’s Chantilly cake?

From my experience, the key ingredients include a soft vanilla-almond cake, yogurt-stabilized whipped cream, and fresh berries. The cake itself is made with cake flour, sugar, butter, oil, milk, egg whites, and a touch of vanilla and almond extract for that signature flavor.

2. What makes a cake a Chantilly cake?

A Chantilly cake is defined by its light, airy cake layers paired with a whipped cream-based frosting. In my experience, what really sets it apart is the delicate balance of fluffy cake, lightly sweetened cream, and fresh fruit.

3. Does Trader Joe’s have a Chantilly cake?

Yes! Trader Joe’s does carry their own Chantilly Cake in-store. It’s known for being moist, beautifully layered, and topped with fresh berries, just like the version I recreated at home.

4. What type of icing is on a Chantilly cake?

Chantilly cake is traditionally frosted with lightly sweetened whipped cream. In my recipe, I stabilize it with Greek yogurt and an optional starch to make it hold up beautifully between layers and during decoration.

5. Can I use different fruits in the filling?

Absolutely! While berries are my go-to, you can swap in cherries, peaches, or citrus slices. In my experience, the tartness of the fruit balances the sweet cream perfectly.

6. How do I keep the whipped cream from melting?

Chilling your cake layers and frosting helps a lot. I always work with cold bowls, cold cream, and sometimes even freeze the cake layers slightly before frosting – this keeps everything firm and easy to pipe.

7. Can this cake be made ahead of time?

Yes! I often bake the layers a day or two in advance. Wrapping them in plastic and freezing works well, then I defrost and assemble just before serving. It makes dessert day stress-free.

8. How do I make the cake layers level?

Using the reverse creaming method helps create level, flat layers, but I also trim the tops with a cake leveler. In my experience, this small step makes assembly and frosting much easier.

9. Is this cake suitable for special occasions?

Definitely! I’ve made this cake for birthdays, celebrations, and family gatherings. Its elegant look and fresh flavors always impress guests.

10. Can I pipe decorations with this whipped cream frosting?

Yes! I’ve found that stabilized whipped cream can be piped easily with tips like Wilton 1M. Cold cream and slight stabilization ensure the decorations hold their shape while still tasting light and fluffy.

And that’s how you can recreate the beloved Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cake right at home! With its fluffy vanilla-almond cake, tangy yogurt whipped cream, and bursts of juicy berries, this dessert is sure to impress at any occasion.

We’d love to hear how this recipe turns out for you! Give it a try, then drop a comment below to share your thoughts and tips with us.

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