Experience the classic flavors of Tiramisu in a beautifully layered cake. This Tiramisu Inspired Layer Cake combines the rich, creamy elements of traditional Tiramisu with a light and fluffy vanilla cake base. It’s a perfect dessert for coffee lovers, featuring layers of moist vanilla cake soaked in coffee syrup, creamy mascarpone filling, and a dusting of cocoa powder. The addition of ladyfinger biscuits adds an authentic touch, making this cake a true delight for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This
This cake offers the elegant and sophisticated flavors of Tiramisu in a convenient, sliceable form. The combination of a soft vanilla cake, creamy mascarpone filling, and a coffee-soaked layer creates a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. The lightness of the whipped cream balances the richness of the mascarpone, while the coffee mixture infuses the cake with a subtle, aromatic kick. It’s a dessert that impresses both in taste and presentation.
Perfect Occasion
This Tiramisu Inspired Layer Cake is ideal for celebrations, dinner parties, or any special occasion where you want to impress your guests. Its elegant appearance and complex flavors make it a perfect centerpiece for birthdays, anniversaries, or holiday gatherings. Prepare it a day ahead to allow the flavors to meld beautifully, ensuring a delicious and stress-free dessert option.
Decoration Tips
- Cocoa Dusting: Generously dust the top of the cake with cocoa powder for an authentic Tiramisu look.
- Chocolate Curls: Add chocolate curls or shavings on top for an extra touch of elegance and texture.
- Coffee Beans: Decorate with a few whole coffee beans to highlight the coffee flavor.
- Fresh Berries: Add a pop of color with fresh berries, such as raspberries or strawberries, arranged on top.
- Ladyfinger Border: Place ladyfinger biscuits vertically around the sides of the cake for a charming and traditional presentation.
Ingredients
- For the Vanilla Layer Cake:
- 90g unsalted butter
- 50g sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 90g flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 egg whites
- 20g sugar
- For the Cream:
- 175g mascarpone cheese
- 35g sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 leaf gelatine
- 200g whipped cream
- For the Coffee Mixture:
- 30ml espresso
- 10ml water
- 10g sugar
- For Decoration:
- Cocoa powder for dusting
- 5-6 ladyfinger biscuits
- Prepare the Vanilla Layer Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 15cm cake tin.
- In a large bowl, cream together 90g of unsalted butter and 50g of sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add 2 egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in 90g of flour, 1 tsp of baking powder, and 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract until just combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat 2 egg whites with 20g of sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the cake batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
- Prepare the Cream:
- In a bowl, mix 175g of mascarpone cheese with 35g of sugar and 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract until smooth.
- Soften 2 leaf gelatine in cold water, then dissolve in a small amount of warm water. Add to the mascarpone mixture and mix well.
- Fold in 200g of whipped cream until fully incorporated.
- Prepare the Coffee Mixture:
- Combine 30ml of espresso, 10ml of water, and 10g of sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Slice the cooled vanilla cake horizontally into two layers.
- Place the bottom layer on a serving plate and brush generously with the coffee mixture.
- Spread a layer of the mascarpone cream over the soaked cake layer.
- Place 5-6 ladyfinger biscuits over the cream, then spread another layer of mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers.
- Top with the second layer of cake and brush with the remaining coffee mixture.
- Spread the remaining mascarpone cream over the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate and Chill:
- Dust the top of the cake generously with cocoa powder.
- Refrigerate the cake overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to set.
- Before serving, decorate with additional cocoa powder, chocolate curls, fresh berries, or whole coffee beans as desired.
Enjoy this elegant and delicious Tiramisu Inspired Layer Cake, a perfect blend of coffee, cream, and vanilla cake that will delight your senses and impress your guests!
