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Decadent Italian Tiramisu Cheesecake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 137 reviews

Decadent Italian Tiramisu Cheesecake is a rich and creamy fusion dessert that combines the classic flavors of tiramisu with the indulgent texture of a baked cheesecake. Featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a smooth mascarpone and cream cheese filling infused with strong espresso and coffee liqueur, and topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder, this dessert offers a luxurious balance of bitterness, sweetness, and creaminess. Perfect for special occasions, this cheesecake requires patience and careful baking techniques to achieve a crack-free, silky finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 200 g (about 2 cups) graham cracker crumbs (or crushed digestive biscuits or ladyfingers for closer tiramisu flavor)
  • 100 g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted (can substitute coconut oil for lighter crust)

Filling

  • 680 g (24 oz) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (Neufchâtel for lower fat option)
  • 225 g (8 oz) mascarpone cheese (substitute with whipped cream cheese if mascarpone unavailable)
  • 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 120 ml (½ cup) strong brewed espresso (can use instant espresso powder dissolved in hot water)
  • 2 tbsp Kahlua or coffee liqueur (optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract for added depth)

Topping

  • 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
  • 60 g (½ cup) powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (high-quality Dutch-processed)
  • 10–12 ladyfingers (optional layer)

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Crust: Mix the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until the consistency resembles wet sand. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan using a flat-bottomed glass. Chill the crust in the refrigerator while preparing the filling to set. Avoid overpacking to prevent a crust that becomes too hard after baking.
  2. Making the Filling: Beat the cream cheese and mascarpone together until smooth and creamy, scraping the bowl sides frequently. Gradually add the granulated sugar to maintain a smooth texture. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated to avoid adding excess air, which can cause cracks. Stir in the brewed espresso, vanilla extract, and coffee liqueur until well combined. The batter should be thick but pourable; if too loose, chill for 10 minutes to firm up.
  3. Baking: Pour the filling over the chilled crust in the springform pan. Place the pan into a larger roasting pan and fill the outer pan halfway with hot water to create a bain-marie (water bath). Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (325°F) for 60 to 70 minutes until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly. Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and allow the cheesecake to rest inside for 1 hour to cool gradually and prevent cracking.
  4. Cooling and Topping: Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, to set fully. Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form and spread it evenly on top of the chilled cheesecake. Dust the surface generously with cocoa powder. Optionally, arrange ladyfingers around the edges or drizzle with espresso syrup for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Always use room temperature cream cheese and eggs to ensure a smooth batter.
  • Do not overbeat the batter to avoid cracks in the cheesecake.
  • Use a water bath during baking to regulate heat and prevent cracking.
  • Allow the cheesecake to cool slowly in the oven before refrigerating.
  • Chill the cheesecake for a minimum of 6 hours, ideally overnight, for best texture and flavor.
  • For a gluten-free crust, use almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs.
  • Omit alcohol for a kid-friendly version, replacing Kahlua with additional espresso or chocolate syrup.
  • Swirling melted dark chocolate into the batter before baking creates a mocha variation (reduce sugar slightly).

Keywords: Tiramisu cheesecake, Italian dessert, baked cheesecake, coffee-flavored dessert, mascarpone cheesecake, espresso dessert, layered dessert

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/decadent-italian-tiramisu-cheesecake-recipe/