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Delicious Tiramisu Coffee Cake

Featured in Sweet Treat Sensations.

Shake up your dessert routine with this coffee tiramisu cake. Vanilla cake layers soaked in coffee syrup combine with creamy mascarpone for an easy twist on the classic.

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Ranah
Updated on Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:37:56 GMT
A slice of coffee-flavored tiramisu cake with cocoa dusting, served on a plate with coffee nearby. Pin it
A slice of coffee-flavored tiramisu cake with cocoa dusting, served on a plate with coffee nearby. | chefemmakitchen.com

Homemade Coffee-Infused Italian Layer Cake

Take a bite of this wonderful cake with coffee-drenched layers and fluffy mascarpone cream between them. This tiramisu cake delivers everything you'd want. I've tweaked this creation for years in my home kitchen, and I can promise you it captures all the best parts of traditional tiramisu but in a stunning cake version.

Why You'll Love This Dessert

What makes this cake taste incredible is how the coffee seeps into those soft cake layers. Paired with creamy mascarpone frosting and a light cocoa sprinkle, it's simply wonderful. Whenever I bring this to family parties, everyone asks me how I made it.

Your Shopping List

  • Cake Base: - One (16.25-ounce) white cake mix box - 1¼ cups water - ½ cup vegetable oil - 4 egg whites at room temperature
  • Coffee Mixture: - ½ cup hot water - 2 tablespoons white sugar - 1 tablespoon espresso powder - 2 tablespoons Kahlua (skip if you want)
  • Mascarpone Topping: - Two (8-ounce) packages mascarpone cheese - 4 cups heavy cream, cold - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ¾ cup white sugar - 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, unsweetened - Coffee beans for decoration
A slice of layered cake with cream and cocoa dusting on a white plate, accompanied by a fork and a coffee cup in the background. Pin it
A slice of layered cake with cream and cocoa dusting on a white plate, accompanied by a fork and a coffee cup in the background. | chefemmakitchen.com

Baking Instructions

Step 1:
Heat your oven to 350°F. Spray two 9-inch round cake pans lightly with baking spray and put them aside.
Step 2:
Combine the cake ingredients and split the mix evenly into the pans. Bake for 22-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Let them cool completely.
Step 3:
Mix hot water, sugar, espresso powder, and Kahlua for the coffee mixture. Set it aside.
Step 4:
For the topping, whip cold heavy cream with vanilla extract until stiff. Slowly add sugar, then gently mix in mascarpone cheese until smooth.
Step 5:
Cut each cooled cake into two layers. Brush plenty of coffee mixture on each layer, add frosting, and stack them up. Cover the top and sides with frosting.
Step 6:
Sprinkle cocoa powder on top, add decorative swirls, and place coffee beans as garnish. Cut and enjoy.

Perfect Pairing Ideas

Grab a warm cup of coffee and cut yourself a big slice of cake. I sometimes add vanilla ice cream on the side when I want to treat myself. The mix of hot coffee and cold ice cream with this cake tastes amazing.

Storage Tips

Store any leftovers in your fridge and they'll stay yummy for up to a week. Just make sure to cover it so it won't dry out. If you need to make it ahead, you can freeze the whole cake for up to a month. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before you want to eat it.

The Story Behind My Signature Dessert

During my years running my small baking blog, this tiramisu cake has become my most popular creation. The way coffee flavor gets into every bite and how the mascarpone frosting feels so smooth in your mouth makes it hard to resist. It works great for fancy events but it's easy enough to make just because you're in the mood for something delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is it okay to prepare this cake in advance?

Absolutely! You can get it ready 1-2 days before serving. Store it in the fridge, covered. The coffee flavor actually deepens as it sits.

→ What can replace Kahlua in this recipe?

If you'd rather skip Kahlua, try another coffee liqueur or strong brewed coffee for a booze-free option.

→ Why does the mascarpone frosting turn watery?

That can happen if the mascarpone becomes warm. Make sure to chill it and the heavy cream before mixing, and don’t overwhip.

→ Can I switch the brand of cake mix?

Betty Crocker’s white cake mix (16.25 oz) works great, but you can try another as long as the weight matches that amount.

→ What's the best way to save leftover slices?

Pop leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to four days. For best taste, let it warm to room temp for 20 minutes before eating.

Tiramisu Coffee Cake

This coffee tiramisu cake blends soft vanilla layers drenched in coffee syrup with a luscious mascarpone topping, bringing two desserts into one.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: emma

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian, American

Yield: 12 Servings (1)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1¼ cups water.
02 ½ cup hot water.
03 16.25 oz packaged white cake mix (e.g., Betty Crocker).
04 ½ cup vegetable oil.
05 4 egg whites, large and brought to room temp.
06 1 tablespoon espresso powder.
07 2 tablespoons plain white sugar.
08 16 oz creamy mascarpone cheese.
09 2 tablespoons Kahlua, optional.
10 4 cups chilled heavy cream.
11 ¾ cup sugar.
12 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, real.
13 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa.
14 Coffee beans, whole, for decoration.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat two 9-inch round pans with a baking spray.

Step 02

Combine cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites and stir until lump-free.

Step 03

Pour batter into pans. Bake for 22-25 mins, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cakes cool fully.

Step 04

Stir together the hot water, espresso powder, sugar, and Kahlua. Put it aside for later.

Step 05

In a bowl, stir mascarpone until the texture is creamy.

Step 06

Whisk cold heavy cream and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. It should take about 3-5 minutes.

Step 07

Slowly sprinkle sugar into whipped cream as you continue beating it for 1-2 extra minutes.

Step 08

Gently fold mascarpone into the whipped cream in small portions, a quarter at a time.

Step 09

Put ⅔ cup frosting into a piping bag fitted with a star tip, then set it aside.

Step 10

Using a serrated knife, cut each cake in half horizontally to make 4 thin layers.

Step 11

Start with one cake layer on a plate. Brush coffee syrup over it and top with 1¼ cups of frosting. Repeat for the next two layers.

Step 12

Spread coffee syrup onto the last layer, then smooth 1½ cups of frosting on top.

Step 13

Use the leftover frosting to coat the sides of the cake.

Step 14

Gently dust cocoa powder over the top with a sifter.

Step 15

Pipe frosting swirls around the edge and middle, then finish with a coffee bean on each swirl.

Notes

  1. Keep mascarpone in the fridge until you're ready to use it. This keeps it firm.
  2. Try using cake strips to bake layers more evenly.
  3. Check on the cakes early because ovens vary a little.

Tools You'll Need

  • Two 9-inch round baking pans.
  • Mixer (hand or stand).
  • A brush for adding syrup to layers.
  • Star-tipped piping bag.
  • Knife or tool for cutting cake layers.
  • Spatula for spreading icing.
  • Fine sifter for cocoa dusting.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Mascarpone and cream contain dairy.
  • Egg whites are used in this dessert.
  • Contains wheat from the cake mix.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 678
  • Total Fat: 52 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 47 g
  • Protein: 8 g