This tiramisu cheesecake brings together two classics in one showstopping dessert: a creamy mascarpone cheesecake, a hidden layer of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and a whipped cream top dusted with cocoa. In other words, it tastes like tiramisu but slices like cheesecake. Tiramisu itself is a fairly young dessert, created in Treviso, Italy, at the restaurant Le Beccherie and added to its menu in 1972 (Wikipedia).
Key Takeaways
- In 2017, Italy’s agriculture ministry listed tiramisu as a traditional food product of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region (Wikipedia).
- Mascarpone plus cream cheese gives this cheesecake a rich, smooth texture with a true tiramisu flavor.
- A gentle water bath and slow cooling help prevent cracks.
What Is Tiramisu Cheesecake?
Classic tiramisu layers coffee-dipped ladyfingers with a sweet mascarpone cream. However, it is soft and spoonable, so it does not hold a clean slice. Tiramisu cheesecake, on the other hand, bakes a similar mascarpone filling into a firm, creamy cheesecake.
In this version, a layer of espresso-soaked ladyfingers sits right in the middle of the filling. Consequently, every slice reveals a stripe of coffee-flavored cake, just like the original dessert. The name tiramisu means “pick me up” in Italian, which fits a dessert built on espresso.
Tiramisu Cheesecake Ingredients
- Graham cracker or vanilla wafer crumbs: Together with butter, these make a simple, crisp crust.
- Cream cheese and mascarpone: Cream cheese gives structure, while mascarpone adds the signature tiramisu richness.
- Espresso: Ideally, use freshly brewed espresso or strong coffee, cooled completely.
- Ladyfingers: Crisp Italian savoiardi hold their shape best after dipping.
- Coffee liqueur (optional): A splash adds depth. Otherwise, skip it for an alcohol-free cake.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Finally, it is dusted on top for the classic finish.
How to Make Tiramisu Cheesecake
You will find the exact measurements in the recipe card at the end of this post. Meanwhile, here is the method step by step.
1. Bake the crust. First, mix the crumbs with melted butter and press them into a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 10 minutes, then wrap the outside of the pan in foil.
2. Make the filling. Next, beat the cream cheese, mascarpone, and sugar on low speed until smooth. Add the flour and vanilla, then the eggs one at a time, mixing only until combined.
3. Layer. After that, pour half the filling over the crust. Next, quickly dip the ladyfingers in the espresso mixture and arrange them in a single layer. Finally, pour the remaining filling on top.
4. Bake in a water bath. Then set the pan in a roasting pan and add hot water halfway up the sides. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the edges are set and the center still jiggles slightly.
5. Cool and chill. Afterward, turn off the oven, crack the door, and leave the cheesecake inside for 1 hour. Finally, chill it for at least 6 hours, then top with whipped cream and cocoa.
Tips for a Crack-Free Tiramisu Cheesecake
- Use room-temperature dairy. Cold cream cheese and eggs leave lumps and force you to overmix.
- Mix on low speed. This matters because beating in too much air causes the cheesecake to puff up and then crack.
- Dip, do not soak. Ladyfingers need only about 1 second per side. Otherwise, they turn soggy and leak coffee into the filling.
- Cool slowly. Sudden temperature changes are the main cause of cracks, so let it cool in the oven.
How to Store It
First, keep the cheesecake covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. In addition, you can freeze it, without the whipped cream, for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw it overnight in the fridge and add the topping fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make tiramisu cheesecake without alcohol?
Yes. For example, simply leave out the coffee liqueur and use extra espresso instead. The flavor will still be rich and coffee-forward.
Can I skip the mascarpone?
You can replace it with more cream cheese. However, the cheesecake will taste tangier and less like tiramisu.
Why did my tiramisu cheesecake crack?
Most cracks come from overmixing, overbaking, or cooling too fast. Fortunately, the whipped cream topping hides small cracks completely.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, this tiramisu cheesecake is worth the wait. It takes some time in the oven and fridge, but the hands-on work is simple, and the result is a bakery-style dessert for any celebration.
Love coffee desserts? Try our Dubai chocolate bar recipe next, or serve a slice with a mug of fig vanilla milk tea.
AuthorEmma food bloggerDifficultyAdvancedA rich mascarpone cheesecake with a hidden layer of espresso-dipped ladyfingers, whipped cream, and cocoa. Serves 12.
Crust
Cheesecake Filling
Espresso Layer
Topping
Bake the crust. Heat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Mix the crumbs and melted butter, press into a 9-inch springform pan, and bake 10 minutes. Cool slightly, then wrap the outside of the pan in two layers of heavy foil.
Make the filling. On low speed, beat the cream cheese, mascarpone, and sugar until smooth. Beat in the flour and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing only until combined.
First layer. Pour half the filling over the crust.
Espresso layer. Combine the espresso and coffee liqueur. Dip each ladyfinger for about 1 second per side and arrange in a single layer over the filling, trimming to fit.
Second layer. Pour the remaining filling over the ladyfingers and smooth the top.
Bake in a water bath. Set the springform in a roasting pan and pour in hot water to come halfway up the sides. Bake 55–65 minutes, until the edges are set and the center jiggles slightly.
Cool slowly. Turn off the oven, prop the door open, and leave the cheesecake inside for 1 hour. Remove from the water bath and cool to room temperature.
Chill and top. Refrigerate at least 6 hours. Whip the cream and powdered sugar to soft peaks, spread over the cheesecake, and dust with cocoa just before serving.
12 servings
1 slice
- Amount per serving
- Calories490
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 36g47%
- Saturated Fat 21g105%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 156mg52%
- Sodium 224mg10%
- Total Carbohydrate 34g13%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Total Sugars 22g
- Protein 7g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredients
Crust
Cheesecake Filling
Espresso Layer
Topping
Sources
- Wikipedia, Tiramisu (history, origin at Le Beccherie in Treviso, and 2017 traditional product listing)
