Craving a show-stopping dessert with layers of creamy mascarpone, espresso-soaked sponge, and cocoa-dusted goodness?
This tiramisu layer cake brings all the classic flavors of the beloved Italian treat reimagined as a fluffy, sliceable celebration cake! 🎂☕
Whether you’re hosting a birthday, brunch, or holiday dinner, this elegant yet easy tiramisu cake is guaranteed to impress. No need for fancy techniques—just pure, decadent flavor in every bite!
✨ Why You’ll Love This Tiramisu Layer Cake
✔ No raw eggs safe & simple mascarpone filling
✔ Light, fluffy sponge soaked in real espresso
✔ Creamy, dreamy mascarpone frosting
✔ Beautiful dusted top and layered look
✔ Elegant enough for parties, easy enough for weekends
From coffee lovers to dessert fans, everyone will ask for seconds 😍
🧰 Tools You’ll Need
✔️ 3 x 8″ or 9″ round cake pans
✔️ Parchment paper
✔️ Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
✔️ Offset spatula
✔️ Serrated knife (for leveling)
✔️ Cooling racks
✔️ Pastry brush (for coffee soak)
🧂 Key Ingredients & Why
✨ Every layer in this tiramisu cake plays a role. From the espresso-soaked sponge to the silky mascarpone frosting, here’s what makes it stunning:
☕ Strong Brewed Coffee (or Espresso)
For that signature tiramisu taste. Brush it generously between each cake layer for deep coffee flavor. Use espresso for a stronger kick.
🍶 Coffee Liqueur (optional)
Adds warmth and depth. You can skip it for a kid-friendly version, but it’s a game-changer for adults.
🍰 Soft Vanilla Sponge Layers
Light, fluffy and absorbent. They soak up the coffee syrup without getting soggy. A perfect base for layering.
🧀 Mascarpone Cheese
Rich, creamy and slightly tangy. Mascarpone is what makes tiramisu tiramisú. It blends into the frosting like a dream.
🧈 Unsalted Butter + Powdered Sugar
Classic American-style buttercream base, whipped until fluffy then folded with mascarpone for a thick, pipeable frosting.
🥄 Vanilla Extract & Salt
Don’t skip these. Vanilla enhances the mascarpone, and a pinch of salt balances all the sweetness.
🍫 Cocoa Powder (for dusting)
That final flourish. Dramatic, classic and oh-so-tiramisu. Dust just before serving for max effect.
💡 Tiramisu Cake Tips & Tricks
✅ Use cold mascarpone and cream for best whip
✅ Don’t oversoak the sponge light brushing keeps it fluffy
✅ Chill before slicing it cuts cleaner & tastes better
✅ Dust cocoa powder just before serving for the prettiest finish
✅ No liqueur? Skip or use a touch of vanilla or almond extract
🎉 Why This Cake Is a Celebration Favorite
It’s the best of both worlds classic tiramisu flavors in a picture-perfect layer cake.
Elegant, airy, and creamy, this dessert is always the star of the table ✨
Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, or cozy get-togethers with friends and coffee ☕💕
👩🍳 Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
🔸 No mixer? No problem! Use a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease to get that mascarpone filling smooth and airy. Just be patient it works!
🔸 Want a deeper coffee punch? Stir 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder into your brewed coffee before brushing it on the cake layers. You’ll thank yourself later ☕️
🔸 Not into piped rosettes? Reduce the frosting by one-third and still get the full creamy experience:
- 2 cups (450g) unsalted butter
- 4 cups (450g) powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup (75ml) heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup (225g) + 3 tbsp mascarpone cheese
🔸 Always store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. The cake keeps beautifully for up to 3 days and tastes even better on day two!
👩🍳 How to Make a Stunning Tiramisu Layer Cake
This cake is all about simple steps with big flavor payoff:
- Bake the vanilla sponge layers until light and golden.
- Brush each layer with strong espresso (add coffee liqueur if you like).
- Whip up the mascarpone frosting until smooth, creamy, and pipeable.
- Stack and frost each layer generously.
- Chill the cake for clean slices and a perfect set.
- Dust with cocoa powder just before serving for that classic tiramisu finish.
👇 Ready to make it?
Scroll down for the full step-by-step recipe!
📸 Share Your Tiramisu Cake!
Made this dreamy dessert?
Tag us on Pinterest or Instagram we can’t wait to see your layers of love! 💛🍰
🔗 More Layer Cake Inspiration:
👉 💙 Bluey Cake Recipe: Easy & Adorable Pup-Tastic Treat!
👉 🍫 Mini Chocolate Lunchbox Cakes (With Cute Messages!) 🎀
👉 🍬 Magical Cotton Candy Cake Recipe (Pink & Blue Magic!)
Tiramisu Layer Cake Recipe: A Dreamy Coffee-Lover’s Delight 💛
Description
This Tiramisu Layer Cake combines everything you love about the classic Italian dessert with the wow factor of a celebration cake. Layers of soft vanilla sponge are soaked in bold espresso, then stacked with rich mascarpone frosting and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any coffee lover’s special day!
Ingredients
🟤 For the Sponge Cake
☕ For the Espresso Syrup
🤍 For the Mascarpone Cream
🍫 For Garnish
1️⃣ Make the Sponge Layers
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✔ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
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✔ Beat eggs and sugar until light, pale, and fluffy (about 8 mins)
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✔ Sift in flour and gently fold (don’t deflate the batter!)
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✔ Pour into two 8-inch pans lined with parchment
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✔ Bake 20–25 mins or until golden and springy
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✔ Cool completely, then slice each cake into 2 thin layers (4 total)
2️⃣ Brew & Mix the Coffee Syrup
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✔ Stir sugar into hot espresso until dissolved
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✔ Add coffee liqueur if using
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✔ Let cool completely
3️⃣ Whip the Mascarpone Filling
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✔ Whip cold cream until soft peaks
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✔ In a separate bowl, beat mascarpone, sugar & vanilla
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✔ Fold whipped cream into mascarpone until smooth and fluffy
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✔ Keep chilled until ready to use
4️⃣ Assemble the Cake
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✔ Place one sponge layer on your serving plate
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✔ Brush generously with espresso syrup
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✔ Spread mascarpone cream evenly over the top
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✔ Repeat layering: sponge → coffee → cream (4 layers total)
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✔ Finish with a thick layer of cream on top
5️⃣ Chill & Finish
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✔ Chill the cake at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor
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✔ Dust the top with unsweetened cocoa powder
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✔ Garnish with chocolate curls or coffee beans if desired