Tiramisu Cake Luscious Layered Dessert (Print Version)
Soft sponge layers soaked in espresso, topped with velvety mascarpone cream and dusted cocoa. An elegant Italian-inspired dessert.
# What You Need:
→ Cake Layers
01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 4 large eggs
06 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Coffee Syrup
09 - 3/4 cup strong brewed espresso or coffee, cooled
10 - 3 tablespoons coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa; optional)
11 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
→ Mascarpone Filling
12 - 1 1/4 cups heavy cream, cold
13 - 1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
14 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
15 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ For Assembly
16 - Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
17 - Dark chocolate shavings (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. Add butter and vanilla extract; mix well.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 22–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
06 - Let cakes cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
07 - Stir together espresso, coffee liqueur (if using), and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
08 - Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks in a chilled bowl. In another bowl, beat mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture until fully combined.
09 - Slice each cake layer horizontally for a total of four layers. Place one layer on a serving plate and brush generously with coffee syrup.
10 - Spread a quarter of the mascarpone filling over the cake. Repeat layering with remaining cake, syrup, and filling, ending with a mascarpone layer on top.
11 - Cover and chill the assembled cake at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
12 - Before serving, dust the top with cocoa powder and optionally garnish with chocolate shavings.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The texture alone will win you over—imagine the lightest vanilla sponge meeting clouds of espresso-soaked decadence.
- It strikes that perfect balance between elegant enough for company and comforting enough for a random Tuesday night craving.
02 -
- Room temperature ingredients are not optional suggestions. Cold mascarpone curdles. Cold eggs do not fluff. Cold butter does not cream properly.
- The coffee syrup must cool completely or it will melt your filling. I pour it into a shallow dish to speed up cooling.
03 -
- Wrap the outside of your cake pans with damp cake strips before baking. They guarantee flat layers without doming.
- Brush the coffee syrup all the way to the edges; dry edges are disappointing bites in an otherwise perfect dessert.