Tiramisu Cake – Tiramisu is one of the world’s most beloved Italian desserts, known for its delicate layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and a light dusting of cocoa. But imagine transforming that classic indulgence into a fully layered cake—soft sponge layers infused with espresso, airy mascarpone frosting, and the perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness. That’s exactly what this Tiramisu Cake Recipe delivers.
Recipe Overview
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Cuisine: Italian / Fusion
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Course: Dessert
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Servings: 12
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Calories: Approx. 480 per slice
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
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Active Baking Time: 25–30 minutes
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Resting/Chilling Time: 2–4 hours
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Total Time: About 3–5 hours
Equipment Needed
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Two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans
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Mixing bowls
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Stand mixer or hand mixer
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Offset spatula
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Parchment paper
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Sifter
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Cooling rack
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Serrated knife (for leveling)
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Pastry brush (for soaking layers)
Ingredients
For the Sponge Cake
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 cup granulated sugar
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½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
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3 large eggs (room temperature)
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1 cup whole milk
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2 tsp baking powder
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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¼ tsp salt
For the Espresso Soak
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1 ½ cups strong brewed espresso (cooled)
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3–4 tbsp sugar (optional)
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2 tbsp coffee liqueur or rum (optional)
For the Mascarpone Filling/Frosting
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2 cups mascarpone cheese (cold)
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2 cups heavy cream (cold)
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¾ cup powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 tbsp instant espresso powder (optional for flavor boost)
For Dusting
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Unsweetened cocoa powder
Nutrition (Per Serving)
(Based on 12 servings)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 480 |
| Total Fat | 28 g |
| Saturated Fat | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Sugars | 34 g |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sodium | 180 mg |
| Cholesterol | 160 mg |
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake Pans
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease and line your cake pans with parchment.
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This ensures even baking and prevents sticking.
2. Make the Sponge Cake
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In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
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Mix in the vanilla extract.
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In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two parts, alternating with milk.
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Beat until smooth, but don’t overmix.
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Divide batter between cake pans.
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Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
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Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
The sponge should be light and airy so it can absorb the espresso beautifully.
3. Prepare the Espresso Soak
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Brew strong espresso and let it cool.
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Add sugar if desired to soften bitterness.
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Stir in coffee liqueur or rum for authentic tiramisu flavor (optional).
Let the mixture cool fully before soaking to avoid making the layers mushy.
4. Make the Mascarpone Frosting
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In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
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In another bowl, beat mascarpone with powdered sugar, vanilla, and espresso powder.
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Fold whipped cream gently into the mascarpone mixture.
The frosting should be fluffy, smooth, and stable—not runny.
5. Level and Prepare the Cake Layers
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Once cakes have cooled fully, trim the tops to make even layers.
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You can slice each cake into two thin layers if you want a 4-layer tiramisu cake.
More layers = more soaking = richer flavor.
6. Assemble the Tiramisu Cake
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Place the first cake layer on your serving plate.
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Use a pastry brush to generously soak the layer with espresso mixture.
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Spread a thick layer of mascarpone frosting on top.
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Add the second layer and repeat the soaking + frosting.
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Continue until all layers are stacked.
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Frost the entire outside of the cake.
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Smooth the edges using an offset spatula.
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Chill the cake for at least 2–4 hours to let flavors develop.
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Just before serving, dust generously with cocoa powder.
The chilling step is crucial—it transforms the texture into a creamy, melt-in-the-mouth experience.
Tips for the Best Tiramisu Cake
Use strong espresso
Weak coffee won’t deliver the bold flavor tiramisu is known for.
Keep mascarpone cold
Warm mascarpone becomes runny and hard to whip.
Don’t oversoak the cake
It should be moist, not soggy or collapsing.
Chill thoroughly
The cake becomes significantly better after resting.
Add liqueur sparingly
It enhances flavor, but too much can overpower the dessert.
Conclusion
This tiramisu cake blends everything people adore about the classic Italian dessert with the structure and presentation of a beautifully layered cake. Soft sponge layers soaked in espresso, creamy mascarpone frosting, and a dusting of cocoa create a dessert that is luxurious yet surprisingly simple to prepare.
