Best Tiramisu Cake Recipes

TIRAMISU LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) pans.
• Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Divide two thirds of batter between 2 pans. Stir instant coffee into remaining batter; pour into remaining pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. In a measuring cup, combine brewed coffee and 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur; set aside.
• To make the filling: In a small bowl, using an electric mixer set on low speed, combine mascarpone, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur; beat just until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium-high speed, beat the cream, 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur until stiff. Fold 1/2 cup of cream mixture into filling mixture.
• To assemble the cake: Place one plain cake layer on a serving plate. Using a thin skewer, poke holes in cake, about 1 inch apart. Pour one third of reserved coffee mixture over cake, then spread with half of the filling mixture. Top with coffee-flavored cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour another third of the coffee mixture over the second layer and spread with the remaining filling. Top with remaining cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour remaining coffee mixture on top. Spread sides and top of cake with frosting. Place cocoa in a sieve and lightly dust top of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
• To make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of the chocolate bar.

TIRAMISU CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with shortening; line pans with cooking parchment paper. Make cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. Pour batter into pans.
• Bake 25 to 29 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely.
• In small bowl, mix coffee syrup ingredients. Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat mascarpone cheese, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cognac and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. In small bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture until combined.
• To assemble, cut each cake horizontally to make 2 layers. Place 1 cake layer on plate; moisten generously with coffee syrup, then spread with about 1 cup of the filling. Repeat with remaining 3 cake layers. Spread remaining filling over top and side of cake.
• Sprinkle cocoa over cake. Arrange coffee beans around top edge of cake. Sprinkle chopped chocolate around bottom edge of cake. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

FROZEN TIRAMISU CAKE

Steps:

• Line a loaf pan that the pound cake fits in with overhanging plastic wrap.
• Cut the pound cake horizontally into 4 slices. Stir the ground espresso together with the grated chocolate in a small bowl.
• Place the first slice of cake in the prepared loaf pan. Drizzle the cake with 2 1/2 tablespoons liqueur. Spread half of the coffee ice cream over the cake and top with 2 tablespoons of the chocolate and espresso mixture.
• Repeat the process above, this time using the chocolate ice cream. Then again, using the remaining coffee ice cream. Repeat one final time, using the vanilla ice cream and garnishing the top with the remaining chocolate and espresso mixture.
• Loosely cover the cake with the overhanging wrap. Place the cake in the freezer until hardened, about 4 hours.
• Remove from the freezer and unfold the plastic wrap from the top. Remove the cake form the pan and peel off the remaining plastic wrap. Slice and serve.

TIRAMISù ANGEL CAKE TORTE

Steps:

• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until smooth. Add 1 cup whipping cream, 2/3 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons amaretto, cocoa and espresso powder. Beat until fluffy and smooth. Using same beaters, beat remaining 1 cup cream in medium bowl until firm peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cheese mixture for frosting.
• Cut cake horizontally into 3 equal layers. Place bottom cake layer on platter. Sprinkle with 4 teaspoons amaretto. Spread with 1 cup frosting. Sprinkle with half of grated chocolate. Repeat layering with cake, amaretto, frosting and grated chocolate. Top with third cake layer. Sprinkle with 4 teaspoons amaretto. Spread remaining frosting over cake. Press almonds onto sides of cake. Top with chocolate shavings, if desired.

TIRAMISU ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Stir sugar into espresso until dissolved. Stir in liqueur; set aside to cool.
• Using a long serrated knife, cut cake in half horizontally, making 2 layers. Place 1 layer in the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish. Using a pastry brush, brush with half the espresso syrup. Sift 2 tablespoons espresso powder over top.
• Put 1 quart ice cream into bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until softened; spread over bottom cake layer. Top with second cake layer; brush with the syrup. Let chill in freezer 20 minutes.
• Sift remaining 2 tablespoons ground espresso over cake. Mix remaining quart ice cream in the bowl of an electric mixer until softened. Spread over cake, swirling decoratively. Freeze until firm. Frozen tiramisu can be wrapped in plastic and stored in the freezer up to 3 days. Before serving, garnish with chocolate curls.

BERRY TIRAMISU CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the berries, sugar and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Gently press berries; drain, reserving juice. Set berries aside. , In a large saucepan, combine cornstarch and reserved juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Cool completely., In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk egg yolks, water and oil; add to dry ingredients, beating until smooth. , In another bowl, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, beating on high until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Spread into an ungreased 9-in. springform pan. , Bake at 325° for 30-38 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool on a wire rack. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped cream; set aside. , Cut cake horizontally into three layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with a third of the filling. Top with a third of the berries; drizzle with 1/4 cup berry syrup. Repeat layers twice, drizzling with remaining syrup. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

ICE CREAM TIRAMISU CAKE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in espresso and coffee liqueur. Let cool completely.
• Split the sponge cake in half horizontally to make two layers. Place bottom layer in a serving dish. Brush with 3/4 cup coffee syrup. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons ground espresso evenly over surface of cake. Beat the espresso ice cream with the paddle attachment of an electric mixer until spreadable. Spread over bottom cake layer. Place the top cake layer over the ice cream. Brush with remaining coffee syrup. Place in freezer 30 minutes.
• Beat the coffee ice cream until spreadable. Spread the ice cream over the frozen cake, and swirl to make pretty. Return cake to freezer until firm.

TIRAMISU LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter the bottoms and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans; line the bottoms with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and dust the bottom and side of each pan with flour, tapping out the excess. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time until incorporated, then beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk in two batches, until just incorporated. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until smooth, about 30 seconds.
• Divide the batter between the prepared pans and lightly tap each against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Bake until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes in the pans, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely; discard the parchment.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Beat the cream cheese and coffee extract in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. If using a stand mixer, switch to the whisk attachment. Add 1 1/2 cups heavy cream and the confectioners' sugar and beat until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Divide the filling between 2 small bowls (about 1 heaping cup each). Stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon heavy cream and the espresso powder in a small bowl to make a paste; fold into one bowl of filling. Fold the cocoa powder into the other bowl of filling. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Make the frosting: Beat the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the confectioners' sugar, 1 teaspoon coffee extract, the vanilla and salt until just combined. Increase the mixer speed to medium high and beat until fluffy, about 4 more minutes; set aside.
• Make the ganache: Put the chocolate in a small bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until steaming, then pour over the chocolate. Let sit 5 minutes, then stir until melted and smooth. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon coffee extract; let sit until cool but still pourable, about 1 hour.
• Assemble the cake: Using a long serrated knife, carefully slice each cake in half horizontally to make 2 thin layers; brush the cut sides of each cake with coffee liqueur, if desired. Put 1 cake layer cut-side up on a plate and spread with 1 heaping cup frosting. Top with another cake layer and spread the coffee filling over the top. Top with another cake layer and spread with the cocoa filling. Top with the remaining cake layer. Frost the top and side of the cake with the remaining frosting. Pour the ganache over the top and gently spread with an offset spatula, letting it drip down the side. (If the ganache is too thick to pour, microwave in 10-second intervals until smooth.) Let set about 20 minutes before slicing.

TIRAMISU ICE CREAM CAKE WITH HOMEMADE LADYFINGERS

Steps:

• Combine 1/4 cup sugar and 2 1/2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, then stir in espresso and coffee liqueur; let coffee syrup cool. Line a 10-by-5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 4-inch overhang on both long sides of the pan.
• Spread 1/2 vanilla ice cream in bottom of prepared pan. Working quickly, dip 15 ladyfingers, one at a time, in coffee syrup and arrange in a single layer, overlapping slightly, over ice cream. (If ice cream is too soft, return to freezer to firm.) Spread coffee ice cream evenly over ladyfingers. Tap pan against counter to release any air bubbles. Repeat dipping process with remaining 15 ladyfingers and coffee syrup, and arrange on top of coffee ice cream. Spread remaining vanilla ice cream evenly over ladyfingers. Fold over plastic wrap to cover cake. Freeze until firm, at least 5 hours or overnight.
• To unmold, let cake stand at room temperature for a few minutes. Unwrap plastic from top and invert cake onto a platter; press a warm damp towel on sides and bottom of loaf pan to release cake, if needed. Remove plastic, then return cake to freezer.
• Combine egg whites and remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar in a heatproof standing mixer bowl. Set over (not in) a pan of simmering water, whisking until sugar dissolves and mixture is warm to touch, 3 to 3 1/2 minutes.
• Attach bowl to standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on low speed, gradually increasing speed to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 10 minutes. Add vanilla and cornstarch, and mix meringue until combined.
• Remove cake from freezer. Using an offset spatula, spread with meringue, swooping decoratively into peaks, as desired. Hold a small handheld kitchen torch at a 90-degree angle 3 to 4 inches from surface of meringue. Move flame back and forth until meringue is browned and caramelized is spots. Serve immediately.

TIRAMISU CUPCAKES (USES CAKE MIX)

Steps:

• Make mascarpone filling mix first & allow to chill 4-6 hours or overnight.
• Mascarpone filling: Beat mascarpone, Kahlua and condensed milk until well blended. Fold in cool whip. Chill 4-6 hours.
• Prepare cupcakes as directed on box of white cake mix & bake accordingly. While these are baking prepare the liquid coffee as below.
• Liquid Coffee: Boil 2/3 cup water in microwave (or boil on stove) and stir in instant coffee then powdered sugar & allow to cool to tepid. Once cooled, use a fork to poke holes into cupcakes so that they will absorb the liquid cofee & then brush liquid coffee onto each cupcake using silicone baking brush. ** I usually make 3 fork piercings across top **.
• Fill pastry/icing bag with mascarpone filling & inject about 1 spoonful via bag directly into top-center of each cupcake.
• Prepare Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until creamy with hand mixer on low. Slowly add powdered sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add vanilla and increase mixer to medium. Blend until frosting is fluffy.
• Frost each cupcake with frosting & garnish with chocolate shavings (use dark chocolate bar & cheese grater).

TIRAMISU ICE-CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Line a 1kg loaf tin with cling film. Beat the mascarpone, sugar and marsala together then fold in the chocolate and cream.
• Make up the coffee with 600ml boiling water, leave for 5 mins then strain into a bowl and stir in the sugar and brandy.
• Reserve 2 biscuits then quickly dip the remainder as you use them into the coffee mixture and line them along the base and up the long sides of the tin (they will stand above the rim).
• Spoon in half the creamy mixture. Dip the last biscuits into the coffee and place on top end to end. Spoon the remaining creamy mixture on top, then fold over the sponge fingers above the rim and press lightly into the filling. Cover and freeze. To serve, turn out onto a plate, strip off the cling film and dust generously with cocoa. Spoon the cream down the centre and decorate with the chocolate.

BERRY TIRAMISU CAKE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine berries, sugar and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Gently press berries; drain, reserving juice. Set berries aside. In a large saucepan, combine cornstarch and reserved juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Cool completely. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk egg yolks, water and oil; add to dry ingredients, beating until smooth. In another mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, beating on high until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Spread into an ungreased 9-in. springform pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30-38 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool on a wire rack. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped cream. Split cake into three layers; place one layer on a serving plate. Spread with a third of the filling; top with a third of the berries and drizzle with 1/4 cup berry syrup. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

POUND-CAKE TIRAMISU

Steps:

• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream, cream cheese, and confectioners sugar until combined. In a small bowl, combine coffee and rum.
• In a 2-quart baking dish, lay half the cake slices in a single layer, trimming to fit. Brush with half the coffee mixture. Top with half the cream mixture and half the chocolate. Repeat. Dust top with cocoa powder. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

CHOC-CHERRY TIRAMISU ICE-CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Grease a 9cm-deep, 20cm (base) square cake pan. Line with baking paper, allowing a 6cm overhang on all sides. Place coffee, marsala (if using) and boiling water in a shallow dish. Stir to dissolve coffee. Set aside to cool.
• Using and electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla ice-cream, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Spoon half the cream cheese mixture into prepared pan. Smooth surface. Dip 9 biscuits, 1 at a time, into coffee mixture, turing to coat. Place, in a single layer, over cream cheese mixture. Add Cherries to remaining cream cheese mixture. Stir until just combined. Spoon cherry cream cheese mixture over biscuits. Smooth surface. Dip 9 biscuits, 1 at a time, into coffee mixture, turning to coat. Place, in a single layer, over cherry cream cheese mixture. Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze 1 to 2 hours or until firm.
• Spoon chocolate ice-ceam into a large bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes to soften. Stir until smooth. Dip remaining 9 biscuits, 1 at a time, into coffee mixture, turing to coat. Place, in a single layer, over chocolate ice-cream. Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze overnight or until firm.
• Stand at room temperature for 5 minutes to soften slightly. Turn out onto a plate. Top with cream, cherries, Flake, chocolate curls and cachous. Serve.
• NOTE: For a non-alcoholic version, omit marsala and add extra 1/4 cup boiling water to coffee in step 1.

TIRAMISU ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9-inch square baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper and butter again. Flour pan and set aside.
• Sift flour and cornstarch together in a small bowl. Combine egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on high speed until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Wash and dry the mixer bowl and whisk and return to the stand. Combine egg whites and salt in the bowl; beat on medium speed until whites hold soft peaks, 1 1/2 minutes. Slowly add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar while the mixer is running. Continue beating until stiff and glossy, about 1 minute. Fold the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Fold in the flour-cornstarch mixture in 3 batches. Transfer batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges to loosen. Invert carefully onto a serving plate or cooling rack. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• While the cake is cooling, prepare syrup: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in espresso and coffee-flavored liqueur. Set aside to cool.
• Prepare ice cream layer: Use a serrated knife to cut cooled cake in half horizontally, making 2 layers. Place one layer in the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan. Brush the top with 3/4 cup cooled syrup, then sift 2 tablespoons ground espresso over top.
• Place espresso ice cream in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on low speed until ice cream is spreadable. Spread ice cream over cake, then top with second layer of cake. Brush with remaining syrup and place cake in the freezer for 20 minutes.
• Remove cake from the freezer and sift remaining espresso over top.
• Place coffee ice cream in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on low speed until ice cream is spreadable. Spread ice cream over cake, forming large swirls. Return to the freezer and freeze until completely hard, at least 2 hours.
• To serve, garnish with chocolate curls.

CHOCOLATE TIRAMISU CAKE

Steps:

• For the cakes, heat oven to 180C/ 160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line 2 x 20cm sandwich tins. Melt the butter and allow to cool slightly. Put the eggs, sugar and vanilla into a bowl and whisk for about 8 mins or until the mixture is pale, thick and has trebled in volume.
• Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and a pinch of salt over the egg mixture, then gently fold together. Pour the cooled butter around the edge of the bowl and fold in until fully incorporated. Divide the batter between the prepared tins and bake for 10-12 mins or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cakes comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tins for a few mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling. Dissolve the sugar in the coffee and set aside. Put the egg yolks, sugar and Marsala into a heatproof bowl, then set over a large pan of simmering water. Whisk for 5 mins until the mixture is thick and has trebled in volume - make sure the mixture is really thick. Remove from the heat and take the bowl off the pan. Keep whisking until the mixture is cool.
• Melt the chopped white chocolate in the microwave on Low and allow to cool slightly. Meanwhile, beat the mascarpone until smooth, then fold into the egg mixture with the cooled white chocolate.
• Slice the cakes in half horizontally. Place one layer in the bottom of a 20cm springform tin. Brush with the coffee syrup and spread with 3 tbsp of the mascarpone mixture. Scatter with 1 tbsp grated dark chocolate, then repeat until you end with the fourth layer of cake. Cover with cling film and chill for at least 2 hrs along with the remaining mascarpone mixture.
• Remove the tin and put the cake on a serving plate, then cover with the remaining mascarpone mixture. Mix the remaining dark chocolate with the grated white chocolate and press carefully onto the sides of the cake. Dust the top with cocoa.

TIRAMISU ANGEL CAKE (NO BAKE)

Steps:

• Chill medium bowl and beaters of an electric mixer.
• For Filling, in large bowl combine cream cheese (or mascarpone), the 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and the 3 Tbsp coffee liqueur. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until blended and smooth.
• In the Chilled bowl, combine whipping cream, the 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 2 Tbsp coffee liqueur. Beat until stiff peaks form.
• Fold 1/2 cup of the whipped cream mixture into the cream cheese mixture.
• Use a serrated knife to cut Angel cake into 3 layers. Place bottom cake layer on a serving plate. With a long-tined fork or skewers, poke holes in tops of all layers.
• In a small bowl, combine coffee and 1/4 cup coffee liqueur. Drizzle over each cake layer. Spread the 1st cake layer with half of the cream cheese filling. Add a second layer and remaining filling. Add third cake layer. Frost with remaining whipped cream mixture.
• Cover and chill up to 2 hours.
• Before serving, if desired, drizzle top and sides with Mocha Fudge Sauce.
• Mocha Fudge Sauce:.
• In small saucepan (or microwave), heat 1/4 cup of Fudge Ice Cream topping until just warm. Stir in 1-2 Tbsp coffee liqueur to make of drizzling consistency.

TIRAMISU CAKE

Steps:

• Cut the cake in half lengthwise to make two layers. Combine the coffee and brandy. Sprinkle enough of the coffee mixture over the bottom cake layer to moisten it well, but not soak it.
• Beat together the mascarpone and the confectioners' sugar until fluffy. Spread half the cheese mixture over the bottom cake layer. Top with remaining cake layer and spread remaining cheese on top. Dust liberally with sifted cocoa. Refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

TIRAMISU ICE-CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Line a 20cm square baking tin with baking paper or clingfilm. Combine the coffee, kahlua and marsala in a bowl.
• Dip half the biscuits into the coffee mix and use to line the base of the tin. Layer half the ice-cream on top and then half the grated chocolate.
• Repeat layers and place in the freezer for 4 hours or until frozen.

TIRAMISU CAKE

Steps:

• Position oven rack in center of oven; preheat oven to 350°.
• Butter two 9 x 2 inch round cake pans; dust the insides with flour, tap out the excess; line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper or wax paper; put the pans on a baking sheet.
• Make the cake: sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy.
• Add in sugar and beat for 3 minutes.
• Add the eggs one at a time and then the yolk, beating for 1 minute after each addition.
• Beat in the vanilla (don't be concerned if the mixture looks curdled).
• Decrease mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk, adding the dry ingredients in 3 additions and the milk in 2 (begin and end with dry ingredients); scrape down sides of bowl as needed and mix only until the ingredients disappear into the batter.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and smooth the tops with a rubber spatula.
• Bake for 28-30 minutes, rotating the pans at midway point.
• When fully baked, the cakes will be golden and springy to the touch and a thin knife inserted into the centers will come out clean.
• Transfer cakes to a rack and cool for about 5 minutes, then run a knife around the sides of the cakes, unmold them and peel off the paper liners.
• Invert and cool to room temperature right side up.
• Make the extract: In a small bowl or cup, stir the espresso powder and boiling water together until blended; set aside.
• Make the syrup: In a small saucepan, stir the water and sugar together; bring just to a boil.
• Pour the syrup into a small heatproof bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon of the espresso extract and the amaretto; set aside.
• Make the filling/frosting: add mascarpone, sugar, vanilla, and liqueur in a bowl; whisk just until blended and smooth.
• Using a stand mixer with whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until firm peaks form.
• Switch to a rubber spatula and stir about ¼ of the whipped cream into the mascarpone.
• Fold in the rest of the whipped cream with a light touch.
• Assemble the cake: if the tops of the cake layers have crowned, use a long serrated knife and a gentle swaying motion to even them.
• Place one layer right side up on a cardboard round or a cake plate protected with strips of wax or parchment paper.
• Using a pastry brush, soak the layer with about 1/3 of the espresso syrup.
• Smooth some of the mascarpone cream over the layer-use about 1 ¼ cups-and gently press the chopped chocolate into the filling.
• Put the second cake layer on the counter and soak the top of it with half the remaining espresso syrup, then turn the layer over and position it, soaked side down, over the filling.
• Soak the top of the cake with the remaining syrup.
• For the frosting-whisk 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of the remaining espresso extract into the remaining mascarpone filling.
• Taste the frosting as you go to decide how much extract you want to add.
• If the frosting looks as if it might be a little too soft to spread over the cake, press a piece of plastic wrap against its surface and refrigerate it for 15 minutes or so; refrigerate the cake too.
• With a long metal icing spatula, smooth the frosting around the sides of the cake and over the top.
• Decorate the cake with chocolate-covered espresso beans-press them into the filling, making concentric circles of beans or just putting some beans in the center of the cake.
• Refrigerate the cake for at least 3 hours before serving-the elements need time to meld.
• Just before serving-dust the top of the cake with cocoa.
• To serve-let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, cut with a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion; serve with coffee or espresso.