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A close-up of a tray of tiramisu with a large square piece being lifted out, showing layers of cream and coffee-soaked cake, topped with cocoa powder.

Best Tiramisu Poke Cake Recipe

This easy tiramisu poke cake features a soft vanilla cake soaked in a rich coffee and Kahlua mixture, then topped with a creamy mascarpone whipped frosting. Finished with cocoa and espresso powder, it’s ultra moist, perfectly balanced, and incredibly delicious.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12 people

Ingredients
  

Cake

Coffee Soak

Mascarpone Whipped Frosting

Instructions
 

Bake the Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare and bake the cake according to the back of the box instructions in a 9x13 pan.
  • Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.

Make the Coffee Mixture

  • In a bowl, whisk together:
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Brewed coffee
  • Kahlua (If you don’t have Kahlua, you can substitute with strong brewed coffee or espresso mixed with a little sugar, vanilla, or even a pinch of cocoa powder. It will still be delicious, but Kahlua adds a rich, slightly chocolatey depth that really takes this cake to the next level—so if you can use it, I highly recommend it.)
  • Cocoa powder
  • Espresso powder

Poke & Soak

  • Let the cake cool slightly (still warm is perfect).
  • Use a fork to poke holes all over the cake (about ¾ of the way down).
  • Slowly pour the coffee mixture over the cake.
  • Let it soak in completely.

Chill

  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Make the Frosting

  • Beat mascarpone until smooth.
  • Add heavy cream and powdered sugar and beat until thick and fluffy (soft/stiff peaks).
  • on a low speed mix Kahlua, and espresso powder until combined.

Finish

  • Spread frosting evenly over chilled cake.
  • Dust with cocoa powder.

Serve

  • Slice and serve cold. It gets even better the next day.

Video

Notes

  • Don’t poke all the way to the bottom—you want the cake to hold structure.
  • Let the liquid absorb slowly—don’t rush it.
  • This cake is even better the next day after chilling overnight.
Keyword tiramisu poke cake
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