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Close-up of a beautifully decorated tiramisu layer cake, showing its rich, creamy layers and cocoa dusting, perfect for a celebration.
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tiramisu layer cake

This impressive tiramisu layer cake features moist white cake layers, a rich coffee soak, creamy mascarpone filling, and a fluffy whipped cream topping, all garnished with cocoa and chocolate curls. It's a perfect dessert for special occasions, offering classic tiramisu flavors in a beautiful cake format.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time28 minutes
Total Time2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Author: The Bright Food

Equipment

  • Oven
  • 9-inch pans
  • Large bowl
  • Wire rack
  • Measuring cup
  • Medium bowl
  • Thin skewer
  • Serving plate
  • Sieve
  • Vegetable peeler

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 package moist white cake mix (15.25 ounce)
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 large egg whites
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder

For the Coffee Soak

  • ¼ cup coffee
  • 1 tablespoon coffee flavored liqueur

For the Mascarpone Filling

  • 1 container mascarpone cheese (8 ounce)
  • ½ cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur

For the Whipped Cream Topping

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ¼ cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur

For Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 square semisweet chocolate (1 ounce)

Instructions

Step-by-step instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), then grease and flour three 9-inch pans.
  • In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, water, egg whites, and oil for about 2 minutes until well combined.
  • Divide two-thirds of the batter into two prepared pans, then stir instant coffee into the rest and pour into the third pan.
  • Bake the cakes for 23 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Combine brewed coffee and coffee liqueur in a measuring cup for the syrup and set aside.
  • Make the filling by beating mascarpone, confectioners' sugar, and coffee liqueur in a medium bowl until smooth, then cover and chill.
  • Prepare the frosting by beating heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and coffee liqueur until stiff peaks form.
  • Gently fold about 1/2 cup of frosting into the chilled filling, keeping both covered in the refrigerator.
  • To assemble, place one plain cake layer on a serving plate and poke holes evenly across the top with a thin skewer.
  • Pour one-third of the coffee syrup over this layer, then spread half of the filling on top.
  • Add the coffee-flavored cake layer, poke holes, pour another third of the syrup, and spread the remaining filling.
  • Finish with the last plain cake layer, poke holes, pour the remaining coffee syrup, and spread frosting over the entire cake.
  • For garnish, lightly dust cocoa powder over the top of the cake using a sieve.
  • Make chocolate curls by running a vegetable peeler along a chocolate square and scatter them over the cake.
  • Chill the finished tiramisu layer cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, ensure all cake layers are completely cooled before assembling to prevent melting of the filling and frosting. Chilling the cake for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld and the cake to set, making it easier to slice and serve.