If you love traditional tiramisu but don’t always have the ingredients on hand to make it, then this easy tiramisu is for you! It tastes like the real thing but is made with pantry staples!
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Do you ever have cravings that are hard to satisfy? Story of my life!
A couple weeks ago I wanted a big plate of tiramisu. The creamy, espresso-y, utterly addictive Italian dessert is one of my favorites…but I didn’t have the ingredients to make it.
So I put on my thinking cap and came up with a recipe that would taste like tiramisu but could be made with ingredients I already had in my kitchen.
What I made isn’t technically tiramisu–traditional tiramisu involves lady fingers and mascarpone. But if you love the flavors of tiramisu and don’t have any lady fingers on hand, then this is a really good option.
And when I say really good I mean REALLY GOOD. Eat two slices and still go back for another good.
Instead of lady fingers I used a cake mix cake (flavored with rum!) and I swapped in cream cheese for mascarpone. The resulting dessert was a freaking phenomenal, stupid easy ode to tiramisu that satisfied my cravings and didn’t require a special trip to the grocery store.
In my life, avoiding the grocery store always equals a win!
Why you’ll love this easy tiramisu
- It’s made with basic ingredients you probably have on hand right now
- It’s so simple anyone can make it successfully
- The cake layer, after being drenched in coffee syrup, benefits from being refrigerated overnight so it’s a great make-ahead option!
How to Make Easy Tiramisu
Combine all the ingredients for the cake layer in a large mixing bowl and beat for 2 minutes, until the batter is smooth. Pour into a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cool the cake layer for 15 minutes; while the cake is cooling, combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil for 30 seconds, then remove from the heat and add espresso powder.
Whisk vigorously after you add the espresso powder because it will clump up and you don’t want clumps in your cake soak.
Use a toothpick to poke holes all over the cake layer, then pour the mixture over the top. Cool to room temperature.
At this point, you can cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight before finishing. (Just pull it out of the fridge and add the topping the next day.) Refrigerating the cake overnight allows the flavors of your easy tiramisu to deepen but it’s not absolutely necessary.
When you’re ready, combine room temperature cream cheese and some powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Turn mixer to high and gradually add 1 1/2 cups of very cold heavy cream.
Continue beating the mixture until it holds stiff peaks. This will take a few minutes. Once the topping is very thick, beat in the vanilla to combine, then spread the topping over the cake.
Grate some dark chocolate over the top and you’re ready to serve! I used this microplane to grate my chocolate so it’s really fine and almost like a powder, but you can use any grater with small holes.
Possible substitutions:
- Substitute 1 teaspoon rum extract + 1/4 cup water for the light rum in the cake
- Substitute cocoa powder for the grated dark chocolate
- Add 2 teaspoons of rum to the cream topping for an extra flavor punch
See why I’m calling this easy tiramisu? SO EASY!
As glad as I am to have a delicious recipe that comes together quickly any time I want tiramisu, I’m also feeling just a tinge of regret. It may be time to get rid of the rum in my liquor cabinet just so I don’t indulge in tiramisu too often.
Totally joking. What’s life without a little indulgence? 🙂
More easy desserts (in case you’re hungry)
White Texas Sheet Cake
Easy Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate Mint Cookies
This easy tiramisu comes together quickly and is made with staples you probably already have on hand right now.
- 1 15.25-ounce box white cake mix*
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup light rum
- 1 large egg + 2 large egg whites
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup instant espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon light rum optional
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream well chilled
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ounce dark chocolate
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously spray a 13- by 9-inch glass baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
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Combine the cake mix, milk, oil, rum, egg, egg whites, and salt in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until fully combined, about 2 minutes. Batter will be thin. Pour into the prepared pan.
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Bake 30 to 34 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes.
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While the cake is cooling, combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil for 30 seconds.
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Remove from the heat and add the espresso powder and rum; whisk vigorously to dissolve the espresso powder.
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Use a toothpick to poke holes all over the top of the cake, going about 3/4 of the way down the the bottom of the cake. Drizzle the syrup over the cake and into the holes.
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Set cake on a cooling rack and cool to room temperature, 2 to 3 hours. (At this point you can cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, if desired.)
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Once the cake has cooled beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Turn mixer to high and gradually beat in the heavy cream. Beat until the mixture forms stiff peaks, then beat in the vanilla.
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Use a microplane or a grater with small holes to grate the dark chocolate over the top of the tiramisu. Serve. Store leftovers, covered with plastic wrap, in the fridge for up to 3 days.
*I used Duncan Hines
--Refrigerating the cake layer overnight before you add the topping allows the flavors to deepen, but it's not absolutely necessary.
--Substitutions:
- Substitute 1 teaspoon rum extract + 1/4 cup water for the light rum in the cake
- Substitute cocoa powder for the grated dark chocolate
- Add 1 tablespoon of rum to the cream topping for an extra flavor punch
Kim R Lange says
This looks phenomenal Kelsie! I want this for breakfast now!!! YUM! 🙂 Pinning
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
You had me at ‘easy’! Love tiramisu and the fact that it’s not too fussy makes me really happy! I would definitely go back for another slice (or two). Pinned! Have a great week, Kelsie 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I totally get you Kelsie! Sometimes I don’t have all the ingredients needed for a dish and the wheels start turning! How can I satisfy my craving? Fast! I love the change ups here and this easy version! Looks totally delish!
Carlee says
What a great option as lady fingers are not always easy to find around here! This looks fabulous!
David @ Spiced says
Now you’re talking, Kelsie! Tiramisu was my first “fancy dessert” that I ever learned how to make, but you’re right…it takes time. And it takes special ingredients. And special ingredients mean trips to the store. When it’s 10°F outside, I don’t have any time for trips to the store! So glad you came up with this fun easy version of tiramisu. I love it! I also need a slice for breakfast. Is that acceptable??
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Ok! Ok! Okay! You are my hero! This is an amazing take on a classic! I can’t wait to try this! Thank you for sharing, my friend! Pinned!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats says
Ooooh I haven’t had tiramisu in FOREVER!!! This looks so yummy Kelsie. I’m such a fan of that coffee flavor 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
You and my husband would get along well! His favorite dessert, hands down, is tiramisu! And, I kid you not, he is always craving it! 😉 Obviously I am loving this easy version!!!! Now I can make my hunny his favorite dessert and not spend forever in the kitchen! Wahoo to that!!! This looks amazing, Kelsie! Just perfection!
Marissa says
I love tiramisu, but somehow have never made it at home. Love your simple riff on the classic! Can’t wait to try it myself!!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
Although I love decadent and silky mascarpone, I don’t mind this version at all because tiramisu is one of my favourite desserts. But you’re funny Kelsie – grabbing required ingredients at the supermarket is harder than turning the oven and making a cake from scratch. I’d rather run to the supermarket (Or better make my husband run). You’re the baking hero! 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
You clever gal! It’s so hard when you want something so badly but don’t have the ingredients for it all! Looks like you made it work though, and possibly even better than the real thing! It looks terrific! Have a great week! XO
Milena says
This tiramisu fan is soo excited about an easy version of the recipe! And might just double the rum:) Have a great week, Kelsie!
Laura says
Kelsie – this indeed looks Phenomenal! Love that you used cream cheese instead of mascarpone! They are cousins, after all! I love this easy recipe, and you’re genius to create a good substitute for the ingredients that many of us (Me, I mean) don’t often have on hand! Thanks for the easy recipe! I may just have to give it a whirl!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says
I hear ya Kelsie. There are times I enjoy a trip to the super market, but most times, I just want to avoid. So being able to whip up a delicious dessert with pantry staples is my kind of recipe! Love this spin on tiramisu!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
This IS easy! And looks incredibly tasty. Love this — such a creative idea. Thanks!
Ashika | Gardening Foodie says
WOW, Kelsie, I love how easy this is to make. Tiramisu is a dessert that I have been wanting to try for a long time now. With your great recipe, I am definitely giving this a try 🙂
Emma @ Bake Then Eat says
What a great idea, I love tiramisu and this is a great way to enjoy those flavours without all the work.
SHASHI AT SAVORYSPIN says
Oh my gosh! I have been craving tiramisu for a while now, I keep ogling the tiramisu at the bakery section of the publix near me and then I sadly walk off because I cannot bring myself to spend $8.00 for a small 3×3 piece! But THIS!! THIS easy, delicious, version has me swooning! I have so gotta try making this! I’m off to go find me some RUM! Happy weekend to you, Kelsie!
grace says
i remember when i was first learning to bake i always skipped over tiramisu recipes because they seemed like too much trouble. i don’t mind it now, but i like this version too!