Luscious Layered Tiramisu Cake (Printable)
Soft vanilla sponge layers soaked in espresso, filled with creamy mascarpone and dusted with cocoa.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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
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
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - Beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. Add butter and vanilla extract; mix well.
03 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined.
05 - Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 22–25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
06 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.
07 - Stir together espresso, coffee liqueur if using, and sugar until sugar dissolves.
08 - Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks in a chilled 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.
10 - Place one layer on serving plate and brush generously with coffee syrup. Spread a quarter of mascarpone filling over cake.
11 - Repeat layering with remaining cake, syrup, and filling, ending with mascarpone layer on top.
12 - Cover and chill assembled cake at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
13 - Dust top with cocoa powder and optionally garnish with chocolate shavings before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The coffee syrup keeps each layer impossibly moist without making it soggy
- You get all the flavors of classic tiramisu with the elegance of a layered cake
02 -
- Chill your bowl and beaters before whipping cream, it makes all the difference
- Never overbeat the mascarpone mixture or it can separate and turn grainy
03 -
- Use a serrated knife in a gentle sawing motion for clean even layers
- Let the cake sit at room temperature 15 minutes before serving for the best texture