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A Vanilla Tiramisu Cake…for your weekend baking. Vanilla-infused sour cream cake swirled with chocolate chunks and soaked in sweet coffee syrup. This cake is no fuss, easy to mix up, and SO DELICIOUS! Every bite is layered with chocolate and moist coffee-soaked vanilla cake crumbs. Finish the cake with the creamiest whipped mascarpone frosting and a heavy dusting of cocoa powder for that classic tiramisu finish. Bonus? It’s simpler to make than you’d think, and so very pretty…with very little effort.
Happy Friday guys! We made it to the end of the week, and are also to the end of January! It’s crazy that tomorrow is the last day of the month and that we’re already making our way through 2021.
I guess this could be looked at as a celebratory cake! Maybe you’ve stuck with your New Year’s resolutions…or maybe you’ve broken them all. Either way, we’re going to celebrate with tiramisu. Because really, why not?! These are odd times, with lots of downtime at home…so let’s eat cake!
The inspiration.
This recipe started out completely different. But then I remembered about the tiramisu cupcakes that I have in the very first HBH cookbook. And the sound of a cake made with the flavors of a classic Tiramisu was just too good. So I switched gears a bit and created this cake. Normally desserts take me a while to test and re-test, but this one was perfect the very first time around.
Love when that happens! It just means this dessert was really meant to be shared!
The funny thing is that I have yet to make a classic tiramisu, that will be next! For now, this cake is the perfect quick fix when craving something sweet and creamy like a classic Tiramisu. It might just be better! That coffee-soaked vanilla cake with that very generous layer of mascarpone cream.
So super simple. And so insanely delicious.
I cannot wait to tell you guys about it. This cake is SO GOOD.
(frosting on cake)
Here is how you make the cake.
Surprisingly, this Vanilla Tiramisu Cake is actually really simple to make. Cream some butter with a touch of sugar. Then add eggs and sour cream.
Now, the sour cream is KEY. You can also use Greek yogurt, but I’ve decided that sour cream will give you the best flavor and the most amount of moisture too. This is just my second time baking with sour cream and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite ingredients to bake with. It’s a game-changer and I’m just a little bit obsessed.
Once all the wet ingredients have been mixed. Simply beat in the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Then stir in lots of chocolate chunks. You can use semi-sweet or dark chocolate here, but the key is to give the chunks a good chopping before adding to the batter. You want them to be lightly swirled throughout the cakes, so small pieces are best.
And now you bake this up in a good ole’ cake pan. Nothing too fancy. I am sure you could also do cupcakes too, which would be very cute!
Onto the coffee glaze.
The way tiramisu is made is by dipping ladyfingers in coffee. For this cake, I make a sweetened coffee glaze and brush it over the top of the cake after baking. The glaze slowly sinks into the cake, creating a creamy, moist, and delicious coffee-infused cake crumb.
It. Is. SO GOOD!
Now that frosting…
If you LOVE tiramisu, you know that a classic tiramisu is really all about that oh so creamy and thick layer of mascarpone. It’s essential to a GOOD tiramisu. So, to keep that flavor and texture, I made a simple whipped mascarpone frosting.
It’s just mascarpone cheese whipped with cream and a touch of vanilla. Seems so easy and simple, but do not let that fool you. It makes for the creamiest frosting, and is just perfect atop this cake.
Every bite of this cake is filled with sweet vanilla flavors. And the whipped mascarpone cream on top is that final extra special touch that really elevates this cake above others. Trust me, I know this is different, but it’s different in a very delicious way.
This cake is perfect for just about any occasion as well…like when you’re in need of a sweet cake to bake up over the weekend! It’s COLD out, so stay inside and do a little weekend baking. Trust me, you will be a happier person because of it.
Looking for more quick wintery desserts? Here are a few to try:
5 Minute Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Mug Cake
Lastly, if you make this Vanilla Tiramisu Cake, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Vanilla Tiramisu Cake
Servings: 10
Calories Per Serving: 563 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup chopped semi-sweet or dark chocolate
- 1/3 cup brewed very strong coffee
- 1 tablespoon dark rum (optional)
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
Frosting
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) mascarpone or cream cheese, at room temperate
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1-2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease an 8 or 9 inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper. 2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until combined. Add the sour cream and 1 tablespoon vanilla, beating until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in the chocolate chunks. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.3. Bake for 28 to 30 minutes, until the center is just set. Let cool 5-10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake and invert the cake onto a plate, flip it back over onto a serving plate. Let cool.4. In a small saucepan, combine the coffee, rum, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and honey. Bring to a boil over high heat, boil 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Let cool slightly. Brush the top of the cake with coffee syrup, repeating until all syrup has been used. Allow the cake to absorb the liquid for 30 minutes.5. Using an electric mixer, whip the mascarpone/cream cheese until smooth. Add the cream and whip until soft peaks form. Add the honey and vanilla. Whip once more until combined. Dollop frosting onto the cake. Dust generously with cocoa powder just before serving. Cake will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Notes
To Make Gluten Free: Use an equal amount of your favorite gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour.
This post was originally published on January 29, 2021
this looks amazing, I can’t wait to try this weekend! One question, how much honey goes in the coffee syrup? I didn’t see it listed in the cake ingredients!
Hey Lucy,
You want to use 1-2 tablespoons of honey. I hope you love the recipe, let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hello, how much honey goes in the glaze? It’s not in the ingredient list? Thanks
Hey Kath,
1-2 tablespoons of honey. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, just wanted to point out that 1/4 cup is 2oz not 4 for the mascarpone cheese. Looks delicious and can’t wait to try!!
Thank you so much, Lola! Appreciate you kindly pointing this out to me. Adjusting the recipe now! Hopping you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I am getting ready to make this cake for my husband’s birthday.
I am not sure how much honey goes into the coffee syrup on the cake?
I see where honey is in the frosting but not the syrup.
Hey Beth,
You want to use 1-2 tablespoons of honey. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi. Confused about the directions that call for honey to be mixed with coffee and rum in the syrup directions, as honey isn’t listed in the ingredients for syrup. Thanks!
Hey Vicki,
You will want to use 1-2 tablespoons of honey. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This looks so good! X
Thanks so much Kelly-Jane! xTieghan
Looks delicious! My dad has a birthday coming up and I think he’d love this! But quick question: the instructions mention adding vanilla to the icing but it’s not in the ingredients list. How much do you add?
Hey Alix,
You want to use 1 teaspoon of vanilla. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
i was committed to baking a cake today for my husband and I as we haven’t had one in so long since COVID restricts us – so when I saw this recipe this morning I thought “MEANT TO BE”! – but alas (crying face) I have no sour cream or yogurt (horrible crying face). Sigh, I’ll save for another day. thank you for sharing. Sigh.
Hey Mary,
I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Hi! We are having a girls wine and appetizer night, and I am in charge of a sweet treat…..I think this would be perfect! To stick with the “small bite” theme do you think I could make this recipe as mini cupcakes in the 24 muffin pan? If so, would I adjust the temp/time? I live in a warm and very humid climate. Maybe pipe the frosting? Also, I do have cream cheese on hand but I am thinking the mascarpone will make this much more special? I LOVE your recipes!
Hey Lisa,
Yes, I think this would work well, what a fun idea! I would just reduce your baking time depending on the size of your muffin tin:) I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
In the beginning you mention celebrating with cupcakes???? This is layer cake. Looks delicious too.
Just rush January. Haha!! Sunday is the last day of the month.
Hey Charlotte,
LOL oops meant cake, long week:) I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Tieghan — looks like the area a couple of omissions in this recipe.
1. How honey goes into the coffee syrup?
2. How much vanilla goes into the frosting?
Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try this cake.
Hey Cathy,
You will want to use 1-2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. I hope you love the recipe! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
This cake sounds good! Can’t wait to try it. You mention in the directions adding honey to the coffee and rum, But in the ingredients it only lists honey in the frosting. How much honey should you add to the coffee mixture? Thanks!
Hey Jess,
You will want to use 1-2 tablespoons of honey. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Good Morning,
How much honey goes into the coffee/honey/rum mix that is brought to a boil?
Hey Elizabeth,
You want to use 1-2 tablespoons of honey. I hope you love the cake! xTieghan
Yum. And, thanks for not making a layer cake. Love tiramisu and my sons love it too.
Thanks so much Joyce! I hope you both love the recipe! xTieghan
YUM!! I dreamed with you tonight – I should have known that was a sign of good food things coming! <3
What other drink can I use instead of rum? Bourbon, Porto wine, sherry…? I have no rum at home but I have some other good spirits. 😀
Thank you so much!
Hey Sofia,
LOL thanks! I think bourbon would also would well. I hope you love the recipe! Let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan