Vanilla Cake Mix: To achieve the best flavor and texture that closely mimics traditional ladyfingers, a key component of authentic tiramisu, I highly recommend a quality vanilla cake mix. My absolute favorite and go-to choice for this recipe is (affiliate link) Betty Crocker’s French Vanilla Cake Mix. It offers a light, incredibly moist crumb and a rich vanilla flavor that provides the perfect foundation, making this easy tiramisu cake utterly irresistible. French vanilla has a slightly deeper and more complex vanilla profile compared to regular vanilla, which truly elevates the dessert. However, feel free to use any white or vanilla cake mix you prefer; just ensure it bakes into a moist and tender cake.

Instant Espresso Powder: While you can certainly use any type of instant coffee you have on hand, for the most authentic, richest, and most robust coffee flavor that tiramisu demands, I strongly recommend using (affiliate link) instant espresso powder. Espresso powder is much more concentrated than instant coffee, meaning it delivers a deeper, less diluted coffee flavor that stands up beautifully to the sweet elements of the cake and cream. This concentrated coffee will infuse your cake with a deep, aromatic essence that perfectly balances the sweetness, ensuring that signature tiramisu taste shines through. The quality of your espresso powder will significantly impact the overall flavor profile of your dessert, so choose a good one!

Mascarpone Cheese: This is a non-negotiable star ingredient in traditional tiramisu, and it’s absolutely essential for achieving that characteristic creamy, luxurious frosting. Mascarpone is a soft, Italian acid-set cream cheese, often compared to American cream cheese but with significant differences. It boasts a much higher fat content, resulting in an exceptionally smoother, richer texture, and a subtly sweet taste that is less tangy than regular cream cheese. It’s crucial for the velvety texture and decadent flavor of our frosting, providing an authentic Italian touch to this easy cake adaptation. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for easier, lump-free blending; cold mascarpone can be difficult to incorporate smoothly and may result in a lumpy frosting.

Heavy Whipping Cream & Sweetened Condensed Milk: These two ingredients are vital for creating both the rich coffee soak and the luscious mascarpone frosting. The heavy whipping cream adds volume, lightness, and richness to the frosting, ensuring it’s airy yet decadent. In the coffee soak, it provides a creamy mouthfeel. The sweetened condensed milk contributes to the sweetness and provides a smooth, condensed texture to the coffee liquid that soaks into the cake, enhancing its moisture, sweetness, and depth of flavor. Together, they create a perfect balance that enriches both the cake and its topping.

Powdered Sugar: Used exclusively in the mascarpone frosting, powdered sugar (also widely known as confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar) is key for a smooth, lump-free frosting with a delightful sweetness. Unlike granulated sugar, powdered sugar dissolves instantly and contributes to the light and airy texture of the frosting, perfectly complementing the rich cheese and espresso flavors without creating any grittiness. It’s the ideal sweetener for a delicate and soft frosting.

Vanilla Extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the frosting, adding a warm, aromatic note that ties all the elements together beautifully. Vanilla is a versatile flavor enhancer that brightens and rounds out the richness of the mascarpone and sweetness of the sugar, creating a harmonious and inviting aroma and taste in your dessert.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The final flourish and an iconic component of tiramisu! A generous dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder over the finished cake provides a beautiful visual contrast and a crucial hint of bittersweet chocolate flavor. This bitterness cuts through the sweetness of the cake and frosting, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile that is characteristic of authentic tiramisu. It’s the perfect way to complete your masterpiece, adding both elegance and depth of flavor.

For a complete list of ingredients with precise measurements, along with detailed nutritional information, please scroll down to the full recipe card below.

🍰 Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Tiramisu Cake

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a dessert with sophisticated coffeehouse vibes, this No-Alcohol Tiramisu Cake is light, creamy, and best of all, incredibly easy to make right in your home kitchen. Follow these simple steps for a truly delightful experience that yields impressive results with minimal effort.

Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Cake. Begin by preparing and baking your chosen boxed vanilla cake mix precisely according to the package directions. It is crucial to use a standard 13″ x 9″ baking pan for this recipe, as this size is ideal for creating the perfect cake-to-filling ratio and ensures easy serving for a crowd. Once baked to golden perfection, carefully remove the cake from the oven and set it aside on a wire rack to cool completely. A fully cooled cake is absolutely crucial before moving to the next steps to prevent the liquid from making the cake soggy or causing the frosting to melt.

Step 2: Create the Espresso Infusion. While your cake is baking and beginning to cool, it’s the perfect time to prepare the flavorful espresso infusion that gives this cake its signature tiramisu taste. In a glass measuring cup or a small bowl, combine the hot water with the instant espresso powder. Stir vigorously and thoroughly until the espresso powder is completely dissolved, ensuring no granules remain. Then, seamlessly blend in the ½ cup of heavy whipping cream and the sweetened condensed milk, stirring until the entire mixture is smooth and well combined. This creates a rich, sweet, and aromatic liquid that will penetrate and moisten the cake, infusing it with deep coffee flavor.

Step 3: Soak the Cake and Chill. Once the cake has cooled completely to room temperature, use a chopstick, a thin skewer, or the blunt end of a wooden spoon (if you prefer slightly larger holes) to poke small, evenly spaced holes across the entire top surface of the cake. Ensure these holes go all the way to the bottom of the pan to allow for maximum liquid absorption. Then, carefully and slowly pour the prepared coffee and cream liquid over the top of the cake, allowing it to seep into each hole and moisten the cake thoroughly. Distribute the liquid as evenly as possible. Once soaked, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is essential for the liquid to fully absorb and for the cake to firm up before frosting, preventing a crumbly mess.

Step 4: Prepare the Mascarpone Frosting. While your cake is chilling and soaking up all that delicious espresso flavor, it’s time to whip up the luxurious mascarpone frosting. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened mascarpone cheese with one cup of heavy whipping cream. Use an electric hand mixer to beat these ingredients together until they are perfectly smooth and creamy, ensuring there are absolutely no lumps of mascarpone remaining. Next, add the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream, the powdered sugar, and the vanilla extract. Continue beating on medium-high speed until the mixture becomes wonderfully light, fluffy, and forms soft peaks. Be careful not to overmix, as mascarpone can curdle if beaten too vigorously for too long. This will create a thick, yet airy, frosting that is simply divine and perfect for your tiramisu cake!

Step 5: Apply the Frosting. Once the cake is sufficiently chilled and the espresso liquid has been fully absorbed, remove it from the refrigerator and uncover it. Using a large spoon or a sturdy offset spatula, gently place generous spoonfuls of the freshly prepared, fluffy mascarpone frosting all over the top of the cake. At this stage, don’t worry about achieving a perfect spread; simply distribute the frosting in even, large mounds across the entire surface of the cake. This initial dolloping helps in achieving an even layer later on.

Step 6: Smooth the Frosting. Now, using the back of your spoon or an offset spatula, carefully and gently spread the mascarpone frosting out towards the edges of the pan, ensuring the entire top surface of the cake is covered with an even, luscious layer. Aim for a smooth and inviting finish, creating an appealing canvas for the final dusting. The cooler temperature of the cake will significantly help the frosting set beautifully and make it easier to spread without pulling up crumbs from the cake, ensuring a professional-looking dessert.

Step 7: Dust with Cocoa Powder. For the classic tiramisu presentation and a delightful hint of bittersweetness that contrasts beautifully with the sweet, creamy layers, it’s time to dust your cake with cocoa powder. Use a small fine-mesh strainer or a sifter to lightly and evenly dust the entire top surface of the cake with unsweetened cocoa powder. This step not only adds to the aesthetic appeal, giving it that iconic look, but also provides a crucial flavor component that enhances the overall tiramisu experience. Don’t be shy with the dusting, but aim for an even, delicate layer.

Step 8: Final Touches and Chill. Ensure the cocoa powder is sprinkled evenly over the entire cake for a consistent look and taste across all slices. Once dusted and looking picture-perfect, cover the cake loosely but securely with plastic wrap and return it to the refrigerator. Allow it to chill for at least 1 hour, or ideally longer (2-4 hours, or even overnight, is highly recommended), before serving. Chilling not only helps the flavors meld together beautifully and intensely but also sets the frosting perfectly and ensures a clean, delightful slice every time. This cake is truly best enjoyed when thoroughly cold.

You certainly can, and many “poke cake” recipes often suggest using the handle of a wooden spoon for this purpose. However, the handle of a wooden spoon typically creates fairly large holes, which can sometimes lead to an uneven distribution of the liquid or even tear the cake, making it less aesthetically pleasing. Through my experience, I’ve found that smaller, more delicate holes made with the tip of a chopstick or a similar sized item (like a thin skewer or the end of a disposable coffee stirrer) work best. These smaller holes allow the coffee-flavored liquid to penetrate more evenly and thoroughly throughout the cake, resulting in a perfectly moist crumb without any excessive sogginess or structural damage.

That’s right, this recipe is completely alcohol-free! While traditional Italian tiramisu typically features ladyfingers dipped in a mixture of coffee and alcohol, often including Marsala wine, rum, or amaretto liqueur, this version offers all the classic flavors without the spirits. The rich espresso infusion combined with the creamy mascarpone creates a truly delicious dessert that captures the essence of tiramisu, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone, including children and those who prefer non-alcoholic options. It retains the signature coffee and cream profile that defines tiramisu, making it a “tiramisu-inspired” cake that’s incredibly satisfying and widely appealing.

Absolutely, you can! While French vanilla cake mix is recommended for its richer, more pronounced vanilla flavor that beautifully complements the robust coffee and creamy mascarpone, any standard white or vanilla cake mix will work perfectly fine. The key is to choose a mix that you genuinely enjoy and that bakes into a moist, tender cake. The potent espresso soak and rich mascarpone frosting are robust enough to carry the signature tiramisu flavor, regardless of the subtle differences in the specific vanilla notes of the cake base. Just be sure to follow the package directions for baking your chosen mix.

Yes, this Tiramisu Cake is actually fantastic for making ahead of time! In fact, the flavors tend to meld and deepen over time as the cake chills, often making it even more delicious on the second day. You can confidently bake the cake, soak it with the espresso liquid, frost it with the mascarpone cream, and dust it with cocoa powder up to 24-48 hours in advance of serving. Just ensure it’s tightly covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and prevent it from drying out or absorbing other odors. This makes it an ideal dessert for entertaining, as you can do most of the work beforehand and simply pull it out of the fridge when ready to serve.

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that originated in the Veneto region of Italy in the 1960s, though its exact origins are often debated with several cities claiming its invention. The name “tiramisu” literally translates to “pick me up” or “cheer me up,” referring to the invigorating effect of the coffee and sometimes alcohol it traditionally contains. Traditionally, it’s made with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, a creamy mixture of mascarpone cheese, eggs (often raw or lightly cooked yolks), sugar, and is usually finished with a dusting of cocoa powder. This cake version offers a simplified yet equally delightful experience inspired by this beloved Italian classic, making it approachable for home bakers.

While instant espresso powder is highly recommended for its concentrated flavor, you can use very strong brewed coffee as a substitute if needed. If using brewed coffee, make sure it’s cooled to room temperature. You might need to use a slightly smaller amount (e.g., ¼ cup strong brewed coffee instead of ¼ cup hot water + 2 tbsp instant espresso) or concentrate it further to achieve a robust coffee flavor, as regular coffee tends to be less intense. The goal is to get a pronounced coffee taste that doesn’t get lost among the other rich flavors of the cake and frosting.