Tiramisu cake

Tiramisu cake is a delightful variation of the classic Italian tiramisu dessert. Instead of the traditional layered dessert, it's baked into a cake form. Here's a simple recipe for a tiramisu cake:

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk

For the Coffee Syrup:

• 1 cup brewed strong coffee, cooled
• ¼ cup coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa) or ¼ cup additional brewed coffee
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

For the Mascarpone Frosting:

• 1 cup mascarpone cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Garnish:

• Cocoa powder or grated chocolate

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.

2. Make the Cake Batter:

   • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
   • In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
   • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
   • Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.

3. Bake the Cake:

   • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
   • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   • Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

4. Prepare the Coffee Syrup:

   • In a small saucepan, combine the brewed coffee, coffee liqueur (or additional coffee), and sugar.
   • Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool.

5. Make the Mascarpone Frosting:

   • In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese until smooth.
   • In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
   • Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone cheese until well combined.

6. Assemble the Cake:

   • Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Brush generously with the coffee syrup.
   • Spread a layer of mascarpone frosting over the cake.
   • Top with the second cake layer and brush with more coffee syrup.
   • Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining mascarpone frosting.

7. Garnish and Serve:

   • Dust the top of the cake with cocoa powder or sprinkle with grated chocolate for garnish.
   • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Enjoy your tiramisu cake! It’s a perfect dessert for coffee lovers and a great twist on the traditional tiramisu.