Tiramisu Cake

All the familiar flavors of your favorite tiramisu are wrapped up in this layered cake that you can slice into thick wedges—talk about having your cake and eating it too! Layers of soft, coffee-flavored cake encase a thick, luxurious marsala-spiked mascarpone filling. A fine dusting of cocoa powder between each layer adds depth and sophistication to each bite.

Where regular tiramisu has lady fingers dipped in coffee, this tiramisu cake infuses the beverage right into the cake, so each bite is balanced and flavorful. The rich filling is mildly tangy from the mascarpone and fragrant with Marsala. The cocoa powder provides a tiny hint of bitterness and when combined with the lightly sweetened cream and fluffy cake, it tastes like a sliver of fine dark chocolate.

This is a great make-ahead cake and it is, in fact, better when assembled ahead of time, the perfect dessert for your next gathering. 

A Baker’s Tips and Tricks

Baking can seem stressful sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be! Learning just a few simple rules can make all the difference in your baking journey.

• The neatest way to line a cake pan with parchment paper is to trace a circle (use the cake pan as a guide) on a sheet of parchment paper. Carefully cut out the circle with a pair of scissors and press it into the base of the pan. 
• The eggs will whip faster if they’re at room temperature rather than straight out of the fridge. If you forgot to pull the eggs out in time (we’ve all been there!) simply place them in a small bowl of hot tap water for 10 minutes to knock the chill off. 
• Unlike the eggs, the heavy cream and mascarpone whip up best when cold.  
• An offset spatula is an invaluable tool in almost any baking project. The offset shape makes it easy to smooth and level the filling.
• Any small fine-mesh sieve or sifter is suitable for dusting the cocoa powder over the filling and top, but I like a tea ball with a handle for more precise control. 

How to Assemble and Decorate Tiramisu Cake

This is a two-layer cake with a whipped mascarpone for filling and decorating. If, like me, you’ve always struggled with making evenly stacked layer cakes, the technique in this recipe is for you! 

1. Line a round cake pan with plastic wrap. This makes it easy to remove the cake from the pan once it’s assembled. 
2. Layer and stack the baked cake inside the cake pan to ensure straight edges without the risk of any filling coming out the sides or the cake layers slipping and sliding over the creamy filling. 
3. Once assembled, the cake is chilled to help it set. 
4. Flip the chilled cake over a serving plate and peel off the plastic wrap. 
5. Spread a thin layer of the filling on the sides of the cake (it won’t be fully covered) and swirl some on top for decoration. 

Ingredient Swaps That Work or Don’t

While it’s easy to riff when you’re cooking, baking follows a slightly different set of rules. Each recipe is carefully designed to work with a set of ingredients. Staying as close to the recipe as possible often gives you the very best results.

• The mascarpone is essential for that quintessential tiramisu flavor reminiscent of your favorite Italian restaurant. Don’t skip or substitute with any other dairy product.
• Make sure that the vanilla pudding in the filling is the instant variety and not the kind that needs to be cooked on the stovetop (often called Cook & Serve). Instant pudding contains a modified starch that thickens liquid without the need for any heat and is the key to a stable, fluffy filling that stands up well to stacking.
• Cake flour makes a fine-grained cake with a tender and spongy crumb. Substituting with another flour such as all-purpose will make the cake coarse and dry. 
• If you’d like to skip the alcohol in this recipe, simply use more brewed black coffee instead of Marsala. 

What to Sip With Your Tiramisu Cake

A cup of hot coffee or freshly poured espresso is a natural accompaniment to a slice of this creamy tiramisu cake. If you’re serving the cake post-dinner, consider pairing it with dainty glasses of fortified wine such as vin santo, sherry, or port. A small pile of fresh raspberries alongside each slice of cake is a welcome complement to all the richness.

Plan Ahead

Make the cake layers up to 24 hours ahead. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The filling and soak can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store both in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

The cake can be assembled (minus the top layer of cream and dusting of cocoa powder) up to 24 hours ahead. Keep it covered and refrigerated in the cake pan.

Storage Instructions

Store slices of leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

Treats for Coffee Lovers

• Coffee Ice Cream
• Walnut Mocha Torte
• How to Make Classic Tiramisu
• Coffee Smoothie
• Coffee Oreo Ice Cream