The Best Easy Tiramisu Poke Cake Recipe for Coffee Lovers

Tiramisu poke cake refines an iconic Italian dessert into a playful, accessible treat that promises pure indulgence.

Classic flavor combinations collide in this delightful twist on traditional tiramisu, creating a dessert that speaks directly to comfort and celebration.

Layers of soft, coffee-soaked cake merge with silky cream, delivering an experience that dances between rich complexity and surprising lightness.

Each forkful promises a delicate balance of espresso-infused sweetness and creamy textures that melt effortlessly on your palate.

Elegant yet approachable, this cake reimagines a beloved classic with modern baking techniques that elevate home dessert crafting.

Sophisticated flavors intermingle through strategic ingredient layering, ensuring every bite tells a delicious story.

Bakers of all skill levels can confidently create this show-stopping dessert that guarantees impressed guests and satisfied sweet tooths.

Easy Tiramisu Poke Cake Marries Coffee and Cream in Every Bite

• Elevate Coffee Dessert: Transform traditional tiramisu into an easy, approachable cake that captures the classic Italian dessert's rich flavors without complex techniques.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Designed for busy home bakers, this recipe requires minimal prep time and uses convenient ingredients like cake mix and pre-made coffee, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings or potlucks.
• Luxurious Layered Experience: The strategic poking method allows coffee mixture to penetrate deeply, creating a moist, intensely flavored cake with creamy mascarpone frosting that delivers restaurant-quality taste in every bite.
• Stress-Free Gourmet Indulgence: Combines professional-level flavor profile with beginner-friendly instructions, allowing even novice bakers to create an impressive dessert that looks and tastes sophisticated without requiring advanced culinary skills.

What You Need to Make Easy Tiramisu Poke Cake

• White Cake Mix: A classic boxed mix for a quick and easy cake foundation with consistent texture.
• Water: Essential liquid to bind the cake mix ingredients together.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, tender cake crumb.
• Egg Whites: Provide structure and help the cake rise with a light texture.

• High Brew Cold Coffee – Double Espresso: Intense coffee flavor that gives the classic tiramisu taste, can be substituted with strong brewed coffee or espresso.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds rich sweetness and creates a smooth, moist cake layer.
• Vanilla Frosting: Provides a sweet, creamy base for the cake's topping.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Traditional Italian cream cheese that gives authentic tiramisu flavor and luxurious texture.

• Unsweetened Chocolate: Used for creating delicate chocolate shavings to enhance the cake's presentation and add a bitter contrast to the sweet layers.

How to Assemble a Moist Tiramisu-Inspired Poke Cake

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a generous spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Cake Base

• Cake mix
• Water
• Vegetable oil
• Egg whites

Toss everything into a mixing bowl and whip it up with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until the batter looks smooth and dreamy.

Step 3: Bake The Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Send it into the oven for 29-34 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean.

Step 4: Craft Coffee Soak

• Cold coffee
• Sweetened condensed milk

This magical liquid will give your cake that incredible tiramisu essence.

Step 5: Perforate The Cake

Right after pulling the cake from the oven, grab a wooden spoon handle. Poke holes across the cake surface, spacing them about 1½ inches apart.

Step 6: Drench In Flavor

Slowly pour the coffee mixture over the cake, ensuring it seeps into every hole. Use a ladle if needed. Chill in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes.

Step 7: Whip Up Creamy Topping

In a bowl, beat mascarpone cheese until fluffy. Blend in vanilla frosting until silky smooth.

Step 8: Frost With Finesse

Once the cake is completely cool, spread the mascarpone mixture evenly across the top.

Step 9: Add Chocolate Elegance

Use a zester or grater to sprinkle unsweetened chocolate shavings over the frosting.

Step 10: Chill And Indulge

Refrigerate until serving.

Tips to Keep Tiramisu Poke Cake Light Yet Rich

• Ensure Even Holes: Use the handle of a wooden spoon with a consistent diameter to create uniform pokes, allowing the coffee mixture to distribute evenly throughout the cake.
• Control Coffee Soaking: Pour the coffee mixture slowly and carefully, giving the cake time to absorb the liquid without becoming soggy or falling apart.
• Achieve Smooth Frosting: Let mascarpone cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before whipping to ensure a silky, lump-free texture that spreads easily.
• Chocolate Shaving Trick: Freeze the chocolate bar for 5-10 minutes before grating to create delicate, elegant chocolate curls that won't melt instantly.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the cake for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the coffee and mascarpone flavors to meld together perfectly.

How to Keep Tiramisu Cake Fresh After Serving

• Refrigerate: Store the tiramisu poke cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping its creamy texture and rich flavors intact.
• Cover Carefully: Wrap the cake loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent the frosting from sticking and maintain its delicate chocolate shavings.
• Reheat Gently: For best results, enjoy the cake cold straight from the refrigerator, as warming might compromise its unique texture and mascarpone frosting consistency.

Drinks and Desserts That Match with Tiramisu Poke Cake

• Brew the Perfect Coffee Companion: Pair this tiramisu poke cake with a rich, smooth espresso or a cold brew coffee to enhance the cake's deep coffee undertones and complement its creamy texture.
• Elevate with Dessert Wine: Serve alongside a sweet Marsala wine or a light Port, which will beautifully mirror the cake's Italian-inspired flavors and provide a luxurious drinking experience.
• Create a Chocolate Lover's Dream: Accompany the cake with dark chocolate truffles or chocolate-covered espresso beans to amplify the cake's chocolatey notes and add a delightful crunch.
• Freshen with Fruit Accent: Add a side of fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries to cut through the cake's richness and provide a bright, tangy contrast to the creamy mascarpone frosting.

Ways to Put a Twist on Traditional Tiramisu Cake

• Espresso Elegance: Replace High Brew Cold Coffee with freshly brewed espresso for a more intense and authentic Italian coffee flavor that deepens the cake's rich taste profile.
• Liqueur Lover's Version: Enhance the adult-friendly variation by adding a splash of Kahlúa or rum to the coffee mixture, creating a boozy and decadent dessert experience that elevates the classic tiramisu concept.
• Mocha Chocolate Fusion: Incorporate cocoa powder into the cake batter and mix dark chocolate chips throughout, intensifying the chocolate notes and creating a more complex, layered dessert that chocolate enthusiasts will adore.
• Seasonal Spice Remix: Fold ground cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg into the mascarpone frosting, transforming the cake into a warm, aromatic dessert perfect for autumn and winter gatherings.

Easy Tiramisu Poke Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Silky Italian tiramisu merges with classic American poke cake in this dreamy dessert. Coffee-soaked layers drizzled with creamy mascarpone frosting promise a luscious journey through sweet, rich flavors you’ll savor with each indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Cake Ingredients:

• 16.25 ounces (461 grams) white cake mix
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 3 large egg whites

Liquid and Dairy Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (237 milliliters) High Brew Cold Coffee – Double Espresso
• 14 ounces (397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 8 ounces (226 grams) mascarpone cheese, room temperature

Topping and Finishing Ingredients:

• 12.5 ounces (354 grams) vanilla frosting, room temperature
• 4 ounces (113 grams) unsweetened chocolate (for shavings)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the kitchen workspace by heating the oven to 350°F and generously coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Create a smooth cake batter by blending cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and egg whites using an electric mixer for approximately two minutes.
3. Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 29-34 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center.
4. During baking, craft a rich coffee infusion by whisking High Brew Cold Coffee with sweetened condensed milk in a separate bowl.
5. Immediately after removing the cake from the oven, perforate the surface using a wooden spoon handle, creating evenly spaced holes approximately 1½ inches apart.
6. Thoroughly redistribute the coffee mixture across the cake’s surface, ensuring complete absorption into the perforations. Allow the cake to rest in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes until fully cooled.
7. Prepare the mascarpone frosting by whipping the cheese until light and airy, then incorporating vanilla frosting to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
8. Once completely cooled, generously spread the mascarpone frosting across the cake’s entire surface.
9. Elevate the presentation by delicately shaving unsweetened chocolate over the frosted cake using a zester or grater.
10. Refrigerate until serving, then delight in the harmonious blend of coffee-infused cake and luxurious mascarpone topping.

Notes

• Discover a simple twist on the classic Italian dessert that transforms an ordinary cake into a coffee-lover’s dream.
• Poking holes allows the rich coffee mixture to deeply penetrate the cake, creating layers of intense flavor in every single bite.
• Chilling the cake helps blend the mascarpone’s creamy texture with the coffee-infused sponge, ensuring a decadent and refreshing dessert experience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg