If you adore the rich flavors of classic Italian desserts but want a show-stopping cake to impress your friends and family, the Tiramisu Love Cake Recipe is exactly what you need. This cake combines moist devil’s food layers with a creamy, ricotta-based filling and a luscious Kahlua-infused pudding topping, creating a masterpiece that perfectly melds coffee, chocolate, and velvety textures. Get ready to fall head over heels for every forkful of this irresistibly delicious treat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this recipe is straightforward, yet each one plays an essential role in crafting the unforgettable taste and texture of the cake. From the moist cake mix to the creamy ricotta blend and the dreamy pudding topping, they all come together beautifully to create the magic of the Tiramisu Love Cake Recipe.
- Devil’s food cake mix: The base of this dessert, providing deep chocolate flavor and moist crumb.
- Eggs and oil: As called for on the cake mix package, they bind and add richness.
- Water: Keeps the cake batter perfectly smooth and light.
- Kahlua (¼ cup + 1 tbsp): Adds authentic coffee and vanilla notes, boosting the dessert’s aroma.
- Ricotta cheese (32 oz): Gives a creamy texture and mild flavor, replacing mascarpone in this twist.
- Large eggs (4): Whipped into the ricotta mix for richness and structure.
- Sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens the ricotta filling wonderfully.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances all the dessert’s flavors with a warm hint.
- Instant chocolate pudding mix (1 package, 5.1 oz): Creates a fluffy, chocolaty top layer.
- Cold milk (1 cup): Combines with pudding mix to form a creamy frosting.
- Cool Whip (8 oz container): Folded into pudding for lightness and softness on top.
How to Make Tiramisu Love Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch pan thoroughly with nonstick spray. This prevents sticking and ensures your cake will lift out cleanly after baking—little details like this make a big difference.
Step 2: Mix the Cake Batter
Grab a hand mixer and blend together the devil’s food cake mix, eggs, oil, water, and ¼ cup of Kahlua. The addition of Kahlua infuses the batter with that unmistakable coffee and slight boozy charm that’s at the heart of this tiramisu-inspired cake.
Step 3: Spread the Ricotta Mixture
Using the hand mixer again, beat the ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until completely smooth. Carefully spread this creamy ricotta layer right over the cake batter in your pan. This layer adds luscious creaminess that perfectly balances the chocolate cake base.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake your layered creation for exactly one hour. This slow baking ensures it sets perfectly while keeping moistness intact. Once it’s out of the oven, give it time to cool completely. This resting step is key to making sure your frosting doesn’t melt and the flavors meld beautifully.
Step 5: Add the Pudding Topping
Whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix, milk, and 1 tablespoon of Kahlua until smooth. Gently fold the Cool Whip into this pudding mixture – the lightness of the Cool Whip transforms the top into a fluffy, irresistible layer. Spread this over the cooled cake for that final, delicious touch.
Step 6: Chill Before Serving
Cover your masterpiece and refrigerate it for at least 6 hours. This chilling time allows all the flavors to meld, resulting in the authentic tiramisu-inspired taste that defines the Tiramisu Love Cake Recipe. Patience really pays off here!
How to Serve Tiramisu Love Cake Recipe
Garnishes
A dusting of cocoa powder or a sprinkle of finely grated dark chocolate adds a professional, elegant finish. You can also toss some chocolate shavings or even a few coffee beans on top for an extra touch of class and aroma.
Side Dishes
Pair this cake with a cup of freshly brewed espresso or a frothy cappuccino to highlight the coffee flavors. Alternatively, serve alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a refreshing counterbalance to the rich sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the cake into elegant squares and serving on a decorative platter with a drizzle of chocolate syrup. For celebrations, add edible gold leaf accents or small fresh mint sprigs on each piece to impress guests with visual flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Tiramisu Love Cake Recipe covered tightly in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and moisture. Stored properly, it will stay perfect for up to 3 days—though it’s so good, most won’t last that long!
Freezing
If you want to make this cake in advance for a special occasion, tightly wrap it in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. It freezes beautifully for up to one month. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving to enjoy that perfect creamy texture.
Reheating
This dessert is best enjoyed cold, so no reheating is recommended. Let the cake sit at room temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes before serving if it feels too chilled from the refrigerator for maximum flavor and softness.
FAQs
Can I use mascarpone instead of ricotta in the Tiramisu Love Cake Recipe?
Absolutely! Mascarpone will give the filling a richer, creamier texture and a more traditional tiramisu flavor. However, ricotta is a lighter, more accessible option that still tastes amazing.
Is Kahlua necessary in this recipe?
Kahlua adds the authentic coffee and subtle boozy depth, but if you prefer to avoid alcohol, you can substitute with strong brewed coffee or espresso without compromising the flavor too much.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, if you use a gluten-free devil’s food cake mix, this recipe can be adapted for gluten-free diets. Just be sure the pudding mix and other ingredients are also gluten-free.
How long does the Tiramisu Love Cake Recipe last in the refrigerator?
Stored covered and chilled, this cake will stay fresh and delicious for about 3 days. After that, textures and flavors may begin to degrade.
Can I double the recipe for a larger group?
You can double the ingredients and bake in a larger pan or two pans. Just adjust the baking time accordingly and keep an eye on the layers to avoid overbaking.
Final Thoughts
The Tiramisu Love Cake Recipe is truly a dessert gem that effortlessly combines ease and elegance. Whether it’s for a dinner party or a special treat at home, this cake brings comfort and delight in every slice. You’ll soon discover why it’s a beloved favorite and a recipe worth keeping close to your heart. Give it a try—you won’t regret sharing this sweet love with those you care about!
Print
Tiramisu Love Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Tiramisu Love Cake combines the rich flavors of devil’s food cake with creamy ricotta and coffee-infused layers, topped with a light chocolate pudding and Cool Whip frosting. A decadent dessert perfect for gatherings and special occasions, it marries traditional tiramisu elements in a comforting cake form.
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 1 box devil’s food cake mix (plus eggs and oil as called for on package)
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup Kahlua
Ricotta Mixture
- 32 oz ricotta cheese
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Pudding Topping
- 1 (5.1-oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 Tbsp Kahlua
- 1 (8-oz) container Cool Whip
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside to ensure easy removal of the cake after baking.
- Mix cake batter: Using a hand mixer, combine the devil’s food cake mix, eggs, oil, water, and ¼ cup Kahlua thoroughly until smooth. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Prepare ricotta mixture: In a separate bowl, beat together the ricotta cheese, 4 large eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Gently spread this mixture on top of the cake batter in the pan.
- Bake the cake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 1 hour. Once done, remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
- Make pudding topping: Whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix, cold milk, and 1 tablespoon of Kahlua until combined and smooth. Gently fold the Cool Whip into the pudding mixture until fully incorporated. Spread this creamy pudding mixture over the cooled cake evenly.
- Chill before serving: Cover the finished cake with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 6 hours to allow flavors to meld and the topping to set. Serve chilled for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before adding the pudding topping to avoid melting the Cool Whip.
- You can substitute Kahlua with coffee or espresso for a non-alcoholic version.
- For a firmer topping, refrigerate the cake overnight.
- Use full-fat ricotta for the creamiest texture.
- Leftovers should be stored covered in the refrigerator and consumed within 3 days.
