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Seasonal Indulgence: The Ultimate Pumpkin Tiramisu Layer Cake

Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with our exquisite Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake. This delightful creation features moist pumpkin spice cake layers, generously soaked in aromatic coffee liqueur, enveloped in a cloud-like mascarpone frosting, and finished with delicate chocolate shavings. A sophisticated fall layer cake recipe crafted by our esteemed contributor, Tessa Huff, promises to be the showstopper at your next gathering.

As the leaves turn golden and a crisp coolness fills the air, autumn heralds the arrival of pumpkin season. Beyond their traditional roles in carving, decoration, and classic pumpkin pie, pumpkins have truly permeated every aspect of our fall experience. From the comforting warmth of a pumpkin spice latte to the inviting glow of a pumpkin-scented candle, this versatile orange squash has become synonymous with the season. Our Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake stands as a testament to this trend, yet it presents pumpkin in a remarkably fresh, elegant, and unexpectedly modern way, elevating a beloved classic to new autumnal heights. Prepare to fall in love with this unique fusion of flavors.

A Modern Twist on a Timeless Classic

Reinventing a classic dessert for a new season is one of the most exciting culinary endeavors, and that’s precisely what we’ve achieved with this Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake. We’ve taken the beloved Italian “pick-me-up” – traditionally a trifle-style dessert – and transformed it into a majestic layer cake, perfect for any fall celebration or holiday feast. This isn’t just about changing the form; it’s about infusing the very essence of autumn into every bite. The most significant innovation here is replacing the traditional ladyfingers with layers of tender, perfectly spiced pumpkin cake. This daring swap ensures a truly unique texture and an unparalleled depth of flavor that we are certain will captivate every palate.

The beauty of this autumn-inspired tiramisu lies in its harmonious blend of familiar comfort and sophisticated novelty. While respecting the core elements that make tiramisu so adored—booze, coffee, and a rich, creamy filling—we’ve carefully adapted the flavor profile to resonate with the season. This cake is designed to be more than just a dessert; it’s an experience, a celebration of fall’s bounty, and a delightful surprise for those expecting the traditional. It’s a testament to how seasonal ingredients can breathe new life into cherished recipes, making them relevant and exciting for contemporary tastes.

The Heart of the Cake: Layers of Flavor

At the core of our Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake are the exquisite pumpkin spice cake layers. These aren’t just any cake layers; they are meticulously crafted to be incredibly moist, tender, and infused with the quintessential spices of fall: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Each bite offers a warming embrace, a perfect foundation for the layers of flavor to come. The natural sweetness of pumpkin puree ensures a delicate earthiness that balances the aromatic spices, making these layers irresistibly rich and full-bodied.

Once baked to golden perfection, these pumpkin layers eagerly await their drenching in a custom-blended coffee soak. Unlike traditional tiramisu which often uses rum or Marsala wine, we’ve opted for a coffee liqueur-based soak. This choice is deliberate, as the rich, slightly sweet notes of coffee liqueur beautifully complement and enhance the natural flavors of the pumpkin and spice without overpowering them. The soak not only adds an intoxicating aroma and a subtle boozy kick but also ensures that each cake layer remains incredibly moist and flavorful, mimicking the essential “pick-me-up” quality of classic tiramisu. The subtle bitterness of espresso powder within the soak provides a perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the cake and frosting, creating a truly balanced and sophisticated flavor profile.

The Heritage Mascarpone Frosting: A Cloud of Creamy Perfection

No tiramisu, whether classic or reinvented, is complete without its signature creamy filling. For our Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake, we developed a unique “Heritage Frosting,” also known as Ermine or Cooked-Flour frosting. This particular type of frosting stands out for its incredibly smooth, light, and fluffy texture, reminiscent of a silky cloud. What makes it truly special for this cake is its ability to incorporate the familiar richness of mascarpone cheese without the heaviness often associated with traditional tiramisu creams that use raw eggs. Our Heritage Frosting is lighter, less intensely rich, yet still delivers that unmistakable tangy, creamy mascarpone flavor that is essential to any tiramisu.

The process of making this frosting involves cooking flour and milk into a thick, paste-like base, which is then cooled completely. This cooked mixture is then whipped with butter and sugar until it transforms into a remarkably airy and stable frosting. The addition of softened mascarpone cheese at the final stage infuses it with that quintessential tiramisu character, creating a frosting that is both luxurious and approachable. A hint of vanilla extract and a whisper of cinnamon further enhance its complex flavor, making it the perfect partner to the spiced pumpkin cake and coffee soak. Its stability makes it ideal for layering, ensuring your cake stands tall and proud, a true centerpiece for any fall gathering.

Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake

Print Recipe

Indulge in this exquisite Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake, featuring tender pumpkin spice cake layers bathed in coffee liqueur, crowned with a fluffy mascarpone frosting and delicate chocolate shavings. A perfect dessert for autumn celebrations.

Author: Tessa Huff
Yield: One 8″ Round Cake (2 layers)
Category: Dessert, Fall, Cake

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Spice Cake:

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup grapeseed or vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
1 can pumpkin puree (15 ounces)

For the Coffee Soak:

1/4 cup coffee liqueur
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1/2 cup sugar

For the Heritage Mascarpone Frosting:

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
pinch salt
1 cup whole milk
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch cinnamon
6 ounces mascarpone, softened

For the Assembly:

Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder

Instructions

Make the Pumpkin Spice Cake:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans, then set aside.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice. Set this dry mixture aside.
Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add in the oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar, mixing until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated and the batter is smooth.
With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches, mixing until just combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix.
Gently fold in the pumpkin puree until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for approximately 25 to 28 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before carefully removing the cakes from their pans to cool completely.

Make the Coffee Soak:

Combine the coffee liqueur, water, instant espresso powder, and sugar in a small saucepan. Place over medium-high heat.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the syrup thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm before using.

Make the Heritage Mascarpone Frosting:

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the flour, salt, and whole milk until thoroughly combined and no lumps of flour remain.
Stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it begins to thicken considerably and large bubbles start to break on the surface. The mixture will achieve a thick, pasty consistency, similar to a very thick pudding. Remove from heat and transfer the cooked flour mixture to a heat-safe container. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the mixture to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate until completely cool (this will take about 30 to 45 minutes).
Once the flour mixture has cooled completely, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer until the mixture is light, soft, and creamy.
Gradually add the cooled flour mixture to the butter-sugar mixture and continue to beat on medium-high speed until the frosting becomes incredibly light, fluffy, and nearly white in color (this can take 5-7 minutes).
Stir in the vanilla extract and cinnamon until well combined.
Gently fold in the softened mascarpone cheese until just incorporated. Ensure the mascarpone is at room temperature and do not over-mix, as this can cause the mascarpone to curdle or the frosting to become too thin.

Assemble the Cake:

Once the cake layers have cooled completely, generously brush or spoon the prepared coffee syrup over the top surface of each cake layer. Allow the syrup to soak in.
Fill a pastry bag fitted with an open star tip with the Heritage Mascarpone Frosting. Pipe decorative stars or dollops evenly over one of the cake layers.
Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosted layer. Repeat the piping process, covering the top of the second layer with frosting.
For a stunning finish, dust the top of the cake generously with cocoa powder or sprinkle with a handful of elegant chocolate shavings.
Alternatively, if you prefer a smoother look, you can spread the frosting evenly between the layers and over the entire cake using an offset spatula. Decorate as desired.

Tips for a Perfect Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake

Achieving a bakery-quality Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake is easier than you think with a few helpful tips:

Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best results, ensure your butter, eggs, and mascarpone are at room temperature. This allows for smoother mixing and a more emulsified, airy frosting.
Don’t Overmix: When adding dry ingredients to the wet batter, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to a tough cake.
Cool Completely: Both the cake layers and the cooked flour mixture for the frosting must be completely cool before proceeding. Warm cake will melt the frosting, and warm flour paste will result in a soupy frosting.
Soak Generously but Not Excessively: The coffee soak is crucial for flavor and moisture. Brush it generously, but avoid saturating the cake to the point of sogginess.
Mascarpone Care: When folding in the mascarpone, do it gently and just until combined. Overmixing mascarpone can cause it to break down and become watery.
Chocolate Finish: Use good quality chocolate for shavings. A vegetable peeler or microplane works wonders for creating delicate curls. Cocoa powder adds an elegant, classic tiramisu touch.

Serving and Storage Recommendations

This Pumpkin Tiramisu Cake is best served chilled or at cool room temperature. Its flavors deepen and meld beautifully after a few hours in the refrigerator, making it an excellent make-ahead dessert for entertaining. Pair it with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, a warm chai latte, or a rich espresso to truly enhance the experience. The coffee notes in the cake and soak will harmonize perfectly with your beverage choice, creating a delightful after-dinner treat or a luxurious afternoon indulgence.

To store your leftover cake, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, individual slices can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and frozen for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. The frosting holds up remarkably well to freezing, ensuring you can enjoy a slice of fall’s finest any time.

Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Indulgence