Tiramisu Cake

Recipe View Prepare and Preheat: Gather all ingredients. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Mix the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, egg whites, and vegetable oil. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined, about 2 minutes. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Create Coffee-Infused Layers: Divide 2/3 of the batter evenly between two prepared pans. Stir instant coffee powder into the remaining batter; pour into the remaining prepared pan. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Bake the Cakes: Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, approximately 23 to 28 minutes. (25 minutes)

Recipe View Cool the Cakes: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. (1 hour)

Recipe View Prepare Coffee Syrup: In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the cooled brewed coffee and coffee liqueur. Set aside. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Make the Mascarpone Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese, confectioners' sugar, and coffee liqueur with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Whip the Cream Frosting: In another medium bowl, beat the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and coffee liqueur with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. (7 minutes)

Recipe View Combine Filling and Frosting: Gently fold 1/2 cup of the whipped cream frosting into the chilled mascarpone filling until well combined. Keep the remaining frosting refrigerated. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Assemble the Cake: Place one plain cake layer on a serving plate. Use a thin skewer to poke holes about 1 inch apart all over the cake. Drizzle 1/3 of the coffee syrup evenly over the cake, then spread with 1/2 of the mascarpone filling mixture. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Continue Layering: Top with the coffee-flavored cake layer; poke holes as before. Drizzle another 1/3 of the coffee syrup over the cake, then spread with the remaining mascarpone filling. (8 minutes)

Recipe View Final Layer and Frosting: Place the remaining plain cake layer on top; poke holes and drizzle with the remaining coffee syrup. Frost the sides and top of the cake with the remaining whipped cream frosting. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Garnish: Place cocoa powder in a fine-mesh sieve and lightly dust the top of the cake. Use a vegetable peeler to create chocolate curls from the semisweet chocolate square, and scatter the curls over the top of the cake. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Chill: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to set. (30 minutes)