Description
Tiramisu Cake with Coffee Soak is a luscious dessert blending velvety mascarpone layers with bold, aromatic coffee soak. This indulgent and creamy treat perfectly balances sweet and slightly bitter flavors, creating a timeless favorite that is elegant, simple to prepare, and utterly irresistible. Ideal for coffee lovers and special occasions, it features moist layers, rich custard, and a dusting of cocoa powder for a beautiful presentation.
Ingredients
For the Coffee Soak
- Espresso or strong brewed coffee – 1½ cups, cooled
- Sugar – 1 to 2 tablespoons (optional)
- Coffee liqueur, rum, or amaretto – 2 tablespoons (optional)
For the Cake Layers
- Ladyfinger biscuits or sponge cake – 24 pieces or equivalent slices
For the Mascarpone Cream
- Egg yolks – 4 large
- Granulated sugar – ½ cup
- Mascarpone cheese – 16 ounces (450 g), cold
- Heavy cream – 1 cup, whipped
For Finishing
- Cocoa powder – for dusting, about 2 tablespoons
Instructions
- Prepare the coffee soak: Brew 1½ cups of strong espresso or coffee and allow it to cool completely. If desired, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of coffee liqueur, rum, or amaretto to enhance the flavor.
- Make the mascarpone cream: Whisk 4 egg yolks and ½ cup granulated sugar over gentle heat until the mixture thickens and slightly cools. Fold in 16 ounces of cold mascarpone cheese followed by 1 cup of whipped heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Layer the cake: Quickly dip each ladyfinger or slice of sponge cake into the coffee soak — just enough to absorb flavor without becoming soggy. Arrange a single layer in your serving dish, then spread a generous layer of mascarpone cream over it.
- Repeat layers: Continue alternating dipped ladyfingers and mascarpone cream, building layers until the dish is filled, finishing with a thick top layer of mascarpone cream.
- Chill and finish: Refrigerate the assembled tiramisu cake for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and texture to set. Before serving, generously sift cocoa powder over the top for a classic finish.
Notes
- Use quality, freshly brewed espresso or coffee for the best flavor infusion.
- Do not oversoak ladyfingers; a quick 1-2 second dip preserves their texture and prevents sogginess.
- Chilling the cake overnight improves texture and deepens the flavors.
- Use cold mascarpone cheese for a creamier and smoother mascarpone cream.
- Sift cocoa powder finely for an elegant and professional presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: tiramisu, tiramisu cake, coffee soak, mascarpone dessert, Italian dessert, no bake cake, coffee cake