Tiramisu Cake

This tiramisu cake is a delicious layered dessert involving a sponge cake, coffee syrup, and the most delicious whipped coffee frosting! No eggs or dairy needed, it’s a cake that is sure to impress! 

If you love coffee flavored desserts, you will enjoy this tiramisu cake. It has all the flavors of a classic tiramisu dessert, but made as a layered cake. 

Why this recipe works

• No eggs or dairy. For such an impressive looking cake, you’ll love that is uses simple pantry staples. Bonus? Even vegans can enjoy this! 
• Easier than a tiramisu. Sure, a classic tiramisu is delicious, but its notorious for being super time consuming. This cake has all the flavors you’d expect, but in a cake form. Oh, and it takes just 30 minutes.
• Minimal prep needed. Just five minutes prep is needed to prep the batter and layers.
• Perfect for birthdays. Change up your standard birthday cake recipe for this tiramisu one.

The texture ticks all the boxes- a fluffy and moist cake, a creamy frosting, and a subtle sticky syrup. The cake is sweet and with a delicious coffee flavor throughout, without being overpowering. 

What we love about this recipe is just how deceptively easy it is. I guarantee wherever you serve this, people will assume you’ve spent hours in the kitchen! 

Ingredients needed

Made with pantry staples, you probably already have all the ingredients on hand. Here is what you’ll need:

Cake

• All purpose flour. Also known as plain or white flour. You can use a gluten free flour, provided it has added xanthan gum. 
• Sugar. White sugar, brown sugar, or a combination of the two can be used. 
• Baking soda. Works with the vinegar to give the cake some rise and fluffiness. 
• Salt. Brings out the flavors of all the ingredients. 
• White vinegar. You can also use apple cider vinegar. Do not use red wine, as it will bleed through the cake and give a slightly bitter flavor. 
• Vanilla extract. A must for any good cake! 
• Oil. Use any neutral flavored oil. I’ve tried this with canola oil and vegetable oil. 
• Water. To mix everything together. 

For the coffee syrup

• Instant coffee. I just mixed instant coffee with a dash of water, but you can also use a single shot of espresso. 
• Powdered sugar. Adds sweetness AND as a thin syrup. Try not to use granulated sugar, or else it will be too thick and difficult to spread. 

For the coffee frosting

• Brewed coffee. Standard brewed or instant coffee. 
• Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but any milk works.
• Butter. Standard or dairy free. 
• Powdered sugar. Sift this first, to ensure the frosting is smooth. 
• Vanilla extract. Just a touch to balance out all the rich flavors. 
• Cocoa powder. Not the frosting itself, but to dust the cake with at the end.

How to make a tiramisu cake

This recipe for tiramisu cake is very simple to make. By working in parts, the entire dessert comes together in just 30 minutes!

Step 1- Make the cake batter

Start by making the cake. In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients and mix well. Next, add the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Transfer your cake batter into two 8-inch cake pans and bake for 25 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely.

Step 2- Prep the frosting

While the cake is cooling, prepare the syrup and the frosting. To make the syrup, whisk together the instant coffee with the powdered sugar until a thin, sticky syrup remains. Next, mix together the coffee and milk, until combined. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat together until smooth and fluffy.

Step 3- Assemble the cake

Finally, assemble the cake. Slice the two cakes in half. Place the first layer on a flat surface, and spread 1/4 of the syrup all over the top. Add a scant 1/4 cup of the frosting and spread until covered. Place the next layer of cake, and repeat the syrup layer and frosting layer. Continue until you have a 4-layer cake. Once layered, lightly spread the remaining frosting on top and around the sides. Sift cocoa powder all over the cake, before serving. 

Tips to make the best recipe

• You can omit the coffee from the frosting if you’d like a less intense coffee flavor. The coffee syrup already provides plenty of it.
• Use decaffeinated coffee for a caffeine-free cake.
• The frosting will probably make more than you need. The extra is used to cover the cake on top and around the sides. 
• If you can tolerate alcohol, you can give the cake some authenticity by adding 1-2 shots of cognac to the syrup. 
• Don’t worry if your syrup isn’t super thick, as it will just gently seep into the cake layers, giving it a more authentic flavor. 

Storage instructions

• To store: Place leftover slices of the cake in a sealable container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying it.
• To freeze: Keep cake in a freezer friendly container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

More delicious cake recipes to try

• Lemon blueberry cake
• Death by chocolate cake
• Vanilla cake
• Vegan chocolate cake
• Almond flour cake
• Clafoutis
• Opera cake

Frequently Asked Questions