Description
A luscious Tiramisu Cake inspired dessert made with a moist vanilla cake soaked in espresso and cream mixture, layered with a light and fluffy mascarpone frosting, and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder. Perfect for dessert lovers who enjoy the classic flavors of tiramisu in an easy-to-make cake format.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake:
- 1 13.25 ounce box vanilla cake mix
- Ingredients required to prepare cake mix (as per package instructions)
Espresso Soak:
- ¼ cup hot water
- 2 tablespoons instant espresso
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
Mascarpone Frosting:
- 16 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (for dusting)
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Prepare the vanilla cake mix as directed on the package. Pour the batter into a 9” x 13” baking dish and bake according to the instructions. Once baked, set the cake on a cooling rack and let it cool completely.
- Prepare Espresso Mixture: While the cake cools, combine the hot water and instant espresso in a small bowl or glass measuring cup, stirring well. Add ½ cup heavy whipping cream and sweetened condensed milk to this mixture and mix until smooth.
- Soak the Cake: After the cake has cooled, use a chopstick or similar tool to poke evenly spaced holes all over the cake, reaching down to the bottom. Slowly pour the espresso cream mixture over the cake, allowing it to seep through the holes and soak into the cake layers. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Make the Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese and 1 cup of heavy cream with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the remaining 1 cup heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, then continue to beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Frost the Cake: Remove the cake from the refrigerator and uncover. Spoon large dollops of the mascarpone frosting onto the cake, then use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly all the way to the edges, covering the entire surface.
- Decorate: Using a small strainer, gently dust the top of the frosted cake with cocoa powder for a classic tiramisu finish.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the cake lightly and return to the refrigerator to chill until serving. For the best flavor and texture, serve within 3 days of preparation.
Notes
- Be sure to let the cake cool completely before soaking to avoid sogginess.
- Using a chopstick to poke holes helps the espresso mixture penetrate evenly.
- This cake is best served chilled and consumed within 3 days for optimal freshness.
- You can substitute vanilla cake mix with a chocolate or coffee cake mix for variation.
- For a stronger coffee flavor, increase the amount of instant espresso in the soak.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Tiramisu, Tiramisu Cake, Espresso Cake, Mascarpone, Italian Dessert, Layered Cake, Coffee Dessert
