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Tiramisu Cake
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Tiramisu Cake

A delicious, decadent cake made with coffee and liqueur soaked layers of moist and fluffy vanilla cake. The filling is a dreamy mascarpone custard and there's some creamy Swiss meringue buttercream to cap it all off. 
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8 Slices
Calories 345kcal
Author John Kanell

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 3/4 cups cake flour 175g
  • 3/4 cup milk room temperature
  • 3 large egg whites room temperature
  • 2 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened but still cool
  • 1/4 cup sour cream

For the Swiss Meringue Buttercream:

  • 5 egg whites room temperature
  • 1 ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 2 cups unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp instant espresso
  • 3 tbsp brandy

For the Syrup:

  • 1 cup strong coffee
  • 1/3 cup brandy
  • 2 tbsp coffee liqueur

For the Filling:

  • 4 egg yolks large
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 16 ounces mascarpone cheese at room temperature

For the Assembly:

  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder unsweet
  • 12 chocolate covered espresso beans

Instructions

For the Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 6-inch cake pans. When finished, cakes will be cut horizontally making 4 layers.
  • In a large bowl, mix the milk, sour cream, egg whites, and extracts then set aside.
  • Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix at a slow speed. Add roughly tablespoon-sized pieces of room temperature butter to the flour mixture and mix on medium-low for an additional 2 minutes. You should end up with a relatively fine meal.
  • Drizzle about half of the milk mixture into the mixer, while running on low. Scrape the bowl down then mix in the rest of the milk mixture.
  • Distribute the batter evenly between the two pans.
  • Bake for 27-30 minutes at 350F or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Invert the cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Filling:

  • Whisk the yolks and sugar in a heatproof bowl then place over a pot of simmering water making sure that the water does not touch the bowl.
  • Whisk in the milk slowly.
  • Whisk constantly until the combined ingredients have thicker consistency. The internal temperature of the mixture should register at 170 degrees when you finish.
  • Remove bowl from saucepan. Set bowl in ice water. Whisk the mixture until it has cooled (around 1 minute).
  • Place mascarpone cheese in a large bowl. Fold the mixture into the cheese, using a rubber spatula.
  • Miix until it is ALMOST COMBINED completely. Word of caution: do not over mix or it can have a grainy consistency.

For the Swiss Meringue Buttercream:

  • Add egg whites, sugar and salt in a bowl.
  • Give the mixture a brief whisk.
  • Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water. Make sure the water does not touch the bowl.
  • Whisk the egg whites occasionally while it warms up. When the mixture has warmed, whisk it constantly. You will heat the mixture until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
  • Transfer the bowl to a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
  • While the mixture is running on low, add tablespoon sized dollops of room temperature butter making sure to let the butter incorporate before you add the next piece. In a small bowl mix 1 tbsp Instant espresso and 3 tbsp of Brandy then mix into the buttercream.
  • You can transfer it to a piping bag or to a ziplock bag to store in the freezer for later. (When you're ready to use it, take it out of the freezer, bring to room temperature, transfer to a bowl and beat it for about 10 second to bring back the consistency).

For the Syrup:

  • Mix the coffee, brandy, and liqueur. Set to the side.

For the Assembly:

  • Cut cake layers in half
  • Transfer cooled, mascarpone custard to a piping bag.
  • Place first layer — cut side up — on a cake stand. Drizzle the coffee mixture on top (about 1/3 cup per layer).
    Tiramisu Cake
  • Pipe the mascarpone filling on top and dust with cocoa powder.
    Tiramisu Cake
  • Place next layer on top. Repeat until all layers have been added.
  • Cover the cake in the Swiss Meringue and smooth. You can scrape the side for a “naked” look but that buttercream is so delicious you'll probably want a nice thick layer!
  • Dust top with cocoa powder. Use the end of a spoon to remove to remove a ring of cocoa powder from the edge of the cake’s top (this will allow your dollops to adhere).
    Tiramisu Cake
  • Pipe dollops of Swiss Buttercream in a ring formation around the top, using an 869 Tip. Any Star tip will do though.
    Tiramisu Cake

Notes

  • Given that the mascarpone is very soft, your cake may be unstable.  If this is the case, use a skewer through the center and refrigerate to stabilize it.
  • Make the mascarpone frosting ahead so it can chill in the fridge for a bit.
  • To get FLAT layers that are moist inside and out try using cake strips! You can buy a set on the shop page or make your own from foil and paper towels at home. I made a whole blog post on it so check it out if you’re interested!
  • If you’re not using 6-inch pans, double the batter recipe for 8-inch pans or triple the recipe for 9-inch pans. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 120mg | Potassium: 34mg | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.7mg