Make a delicious 30-minute Tiramisu Cake! Enjoy layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, rich mascarpone cream, and a hint of Baileys Irish Cream for a quick and indulgent dessert.
This Tiramisu Cake is perfect for special occasions or as a treat after dinner. Layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and Bailey's Irish Cream-infused mascarpone cream create a rich, delicious taste. Each bite is a mix of creamy and coffee goodness with a hint of liqueur. Cherry Crostata is another Italian dessert you'll love.
Are you looking for some delightful dessert recipes? Try our Brownies Topped with Pink Berry Cream for a rich and fruity twist on a classic treat. If you enjoy layered cakes, you'll love the Pink Crèpes Cake, a beautiful and delicate treat perfect for any celebration or my Raspberry Heart Shaped Cake.
For coffee lovers, the Mocha Loaf offers a delicious mix of chocolate and espresso in every bite. Our Vegan Carrot Cake Banana Bread is a healthy and tasty option that everyone can enjoy. If you crave something tangy and sweet, the Lemon Cake with Cheese Frosting is a must-try. Lastly, don't miss out on the Cherry Clafoutis, a classic French dessert that's both simple and elegant.
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What is Tiramisu?
Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert made from layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and a creamy mixture of mascarpone cheese, eggs, and sugar. It's often flavored with a touch of cocoa powder on top and sometimes includes a splash of liqueur, like Baileys Irish Cream. The name means "pick me up" in Italian, reflecting its rich, coffee-flavored layers that provide a delightful pick-me-up.
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💭 Expert Tips
- Don’t Over-Soak the Ladyfingers: Dip them quickly into the coffee. Over-soaking can make them too soggy.
- Smooth the Top: After layering the mascarpone, smooth the top with a spatula for a neat finish.
- Chill Overnight: Let the tiramisu set in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight for the best texture.
💗 Why you’ll love this recipe
✅ Super easy - Looks fancy but is simple to make
✅ Light & creamy - Not too sweet, melts in your mouth
✅ No baking - Just layer and chill
🎂 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
♻️ Substitutions
- Mascarpone: Substitute with cream cheese for a similar creamy texture, or use a blend of ricotta cheese and heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Sugar: You can use honey or maple syrup as alternatives for a different but still sweet taste. Powdered sugar is also a good option for a smoother texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Use vanilla essence or vanilla bean paste for a similar vanilla taste.
- Ladyfingers: Substitute with sponge cake or pound cake, cut into strips, or use shortbread cookies, biscotti, or even graham crackers for a different but effective base.
- Strong Brewed Coffee: Instant coffee or espresso can be used for the coffee hint. For a caffeine-free option, use coffee-flavored herbal tea.
- Optional Liqueurs: Use coffee liqueur or hazelnut liqueur. For a non-alcoholic option, use coffee extract or flavoured syrups.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Use dark chocolate shavings as a substitute for a rich chocolate touch.
How To Make 30-minutes Tiramisu Cake
Tiramisu cake is a classic dessert that combines the rich flavors of coffee and mascarpone in a layered, creamy treat.
Follow these easy steps to create a delicious tiramisu cake, even if you’ve never baked one before!
Step 1: Brew strong coffee, let it cool, sweeten to taste, and add liqueur if desired. Prepare the ladyfingers for dipping.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with sugar until pale and fluffy, then add the mascarpone.
Step 3: Incorporate the mascarpone until well combined, then beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Step 4: Gently fold the egg whites into the mascarpone cream, a little at a time, using a balloon whisk to keep the mixture light and fluffy.
Step 5: Assemble the Layers: Dip each ladyfinger briefly in the coffee mixture and layer them in a cake ring placed on a large plate. Alternate with layers of mascarpone cream, finishing with a smooth layer of cream on top.
Step 6: Decorate and Chill: Refrigerate the tiramisu for at least 4 hours or overnight. Before serving, remove the cake ring, top with whipped cream, and dust with cocoa powder.
A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Storage
Store in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap or a cake dome, for up to 4-5 days. For longer storage, freeze it tightly in plastic wrap and foil for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Refresh decorations with additional cocoa powder or whipped cream if needed.
❓ 30-minute Tiramisu Cake FAQs
Tiramisu cake puts a delicious spin on the traditional Italian dessert. This version features coffee-soaked cake layers alternating with rich mascarpone cream and a silky frosting. The best part? It starts with a convenient boxed cake mix for effortless preparation.
Tiramisu is a well-loved Italian dessert often called a "cake," but it’s not a typical baked, layered cake. Instead, it’s made with layers of ladyfinger cookies soaked in coffee (also known as "savoiardi," which are sponge cake-like cookies) and a creamy blend of mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, and usually flavored with cocoa powder or grated chocolate.
This straightforward tiramisu recipe combines coffee-soaked ladyfingers with a sweet mascarpone mixture. Presenting the dessert in a glass bowl and garnishing it with cocoa powder and chocolate curls enhances its visual appeal.
Traditionally, tiramisu uses Marsala wine to soak the ladyfingers, but you can also use rum, coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), Amaretto, or Baileys Irish Cream. For a non-alcoholic version, soak the ladyfingers in strong coffee or espresso, sweetened if desired.
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Tiramisu Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls: For preparing the mascarpone mixture and whipping egg whites.
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: To beat the egg yolks and egg whites until fluffy.
- Spatula: For folding the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture.
- Cake Ring: A 9-inch ring mold for assembling the tiramisu. Alternatively, you can use a springform pan.
- Whisk: For mixing the mascarpone and egg yolks.
- Spoons: For measuring and stirring.
- Sieve or Sifter: For dusting cocoa powder on top.
- Piping Bag (optional): For decorating the tiramisu with whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 500 g mascarpone about 17.6 oz or 2 cups
- 100 g sugar about ½ cup
- 4 fresh eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 packet vanilla sugar
- 400 g ladyfingers about 14 oz or 40-50 ladyfingers
- 300 ml strong brewed coffee about 10 oz, sweetened with 2-3 teaspoons of sugar
- 50 ml Baileys Irish Cream (optional) about 1.7 oz, almond liqueur (Amaretto), or sweet Marsala wine
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Coffee Mixture
- First, brew 300 ml of strong coffee using a coffee maker, or make it using instant coffee. Let it cool completely. Once cooled, stir in 2-3 teaspoons of sugar (or to taste). If you’d like, you can also add 50 ml of liqueur like Amaretto, Baileys, or Marsala wine to give the coffee mixture extra flavor, but this step is optional. Set the coffee aside to cool while you prepare the rest.
Step 2: Make the Mascarpone Cream
- In a large bowl, beat 4 egg yolks (just the yellow part) with 50 g of sugar using an electric mixer or a whisk until it becomes pale and fluffy. This will take about 3-4 minutes.
- Next, add 500 g of mascarpone cheese (this is a creamy Italian cheese) and mix it until smooth. Make sure it’s well combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat 4 egg whites (the white part) with 50 g of sugar until stiff peaks form. To do this, beat the egg whites for 3-4 minutes until they look firm and glossy.
- Now, carefully fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture using a spatula. Add the egg whites in small portions, mixing gently so the air from the beaten whites doesn’t disappear. This will keep the cream light and fluffy.
Step 3: Soak the Ladyfingers
- Ladyfingers are soft, sponge-like cookies used in tiramisu. Dip each ladyfinger into the cooled coffee mixture for about 1 second. Don’t leave it in the coffee for too long—just enough to soak it but not get too soggy. Place the dipped ladyfingers in a 9-inch cake ring placed on a large plate. If you don’t have a cake ring, you can use a springform pan or any round dish with a removable edge.
Step 4: Layer the Cake
- Now it’s time to layer! Start by spreading a layer of the mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers. Use about one-third of the cream for this layer.
- Then, dip another set of ladyfingers in the coffee mixture and layer them on top of the cream. Repeat with another layer of cream. You should have 3 layers of ladyfingers and 3 layers of cream (the final layer should be cream on top). Spread the cream evenly each time to get a smooth finish.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
- Once all the layers are done, refrigerate the tiramisu for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow it to set and become firm. This chilling step is important for the flavors to develop.
- Before serving, carefully remove the cake ring from around the tiramisu. If you used parchment paper or plastic wrap, gently peel it off.
- Decorate with Leftover Cream: Save some mascarpone cream from the tiramisu to pipe rosettes on top for a decorative touch.
Video
Notes
- Use fresh mascarpone, eggs, and strong, freshly brewed coffee for the best flavor and texture.
- Allow the coffee to cool completely before dipping the ladyfingers to avoid them becoming too soggy.
- Dip the ladyfingers quickly—moist, not soaked.
- Fold the beaten egg whites gently into the mascarpone mixture to keep it airy.
- Chill the tiramisu for at least 4 hours or overnight for the best results.
- Dust with cocoa powder just before serving to keep it dry.
- Adjust sugar to taste, especially if using different liqueurs or sweeteners.
Claudia Ciorteanu says
My family loved this!
Criss says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Sonja says
I love Tiramisu and having it in form of a cake was a total winner on the coffee table! So yummy.
Lauren says
This is a fantastic Tiramisu recipe! The flavors and textures are perfection!
Swathi says
Tiramisu is my favorite, so I tried your Italian Tiramisu cake my kids loved it and asked to make it again.
Nicole says
I never thought I could make tiramisu on my own! Every detail was provided and it was delish!
nancy says
delicious! It was really easy to make on my first try. I shared this recipe with my mom! she's such a tiramisu fanatic!
Elizabeth says
I never thought of making a tiramisu cake until I found your recipe. It made a beautiful dessert and it was so yummy!!!
Nicole says
This Italian Tiramisu Cake was incredible. It was jaw-dropping for two reasons: its beauty and its taste. Definitely a crowd pleaser!
Melinda says
What a delicious tiramisu recipe! It reminded me of the tiramisu I get for dessert at a favorite Italian restaurant in town. The Irish cream is a wonderful addition. I’m making this again when I have guests.
Leslie says
So impressed with this! The flavors are perfect. It doesn't get better than a classic Tiramisu for dessert!
Oscar says
Every layer of this tiramisu cake was delicious. The coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream were perfectly complemented by the Baileys.
Liz says
Besides being delicious, this is one of the most beautiful desserts I've ever made. It was a huge hit!!!