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This Tiramisu Cheesecake is a super easy, no-bake cheesecake recipe that tastes just like tiramisu! The combination of espresso, Kahlua and mascarpone cheese is to die for!
An Italian Twist on Classic Cheesecake
So you may or may not have noticed that I love my tiramisu. I have a recipe for traditional tiramisu, tiramisu cupcakes, a brookie tiramisu, a pumpkin tiramisu layer cake and now this cheesecake. I even have a tiramisu related recipe in the cookbook! I fully intend to tiramisu all the things. It’s just so good!
And I had a lot of fun putting this cheesecake together. Initially, I wanted it to be a fully baked cheesecake but it wasn’t turning out quite like I wanted so I switched gears and went with this almost no bake version. The small amount of baking comes in the form of the crust and while I would normally say that you could forgo the baking I really do think it’s necessary in this case.
Let’s discuss.
How to Make Tiramisu Cheesecake
This gorgeous tiramisu dessert only takes a few steps to make. Here’s how to do it:
Make the Cheesecake Crust
Initially I made the crust with crushed up ladyfingers. It makes sense, right? But when you grind up ladyfingers they are quite soft and very light. I didn’t feel like it resulted in the firmer crust I wanted.
So instead I went with vanilla wafer cookies. The flavor is still great (one of my favorite crusts) and it did bake into a nicer crust. And as I said, the baking really is necessary. Baking a crust helps it hold together better when you cut into it later and for this cheesecake I really recommend it. The crust is topped with ladyfingers that are dipped in Kahlúa and espresso and some of the liquid soaks into the crust while firming up in the fridge. It softens the crust a bit so if you don’t bake it to begin with it’ll be even softer.
Add Ladyfingers
On top of the the crust, you have the ladyfingers which are dipped in espresso and Kahlúa. If you would prefer this cheesecake to be non-alcoholic you could leave out the Kahlúa and add additional water and espresso, but I always love the flavor of the Kahlúa.
Make the Mascarpone Cheesecake Filling
Next is the mascarpone and cream cheese filling. I used a mixture of both cheeses to help with the firmness and texture of the cheesecake. Mascarpone has a tendency to be a little softer so the cream cheese helps balance it out and keep it a little firmer and less fussy. It still has that signature mascarpone flavor that I totally love though!
Top with Whipped Cream and Cocoa Powder
To finish off the cheesecake, I used a Kahlúa and espresso whipped cream. I used what was left of the Kahlúa mixture that I dipped the ladyfingers into, but if you don’t have any left you can make a little more. The whipped cream is piped onto the cheesecake using the Ateco 808 piping tip. Starting from the outside, you pipe shells in several full circles all the way around the cheesecake and in to the center. A sprinkle of cocoa powder finishes it off perfectly!
The hardest part of making this cheesecake is waiting for it to firm up! I couldn’t wait to dig in and it definitely didn’t disappoint. All my tiramisu dreams came true in the form of this cheesecake! So good!
Watch How To Make It
You might also like these tiramisu desserts:
Mini Tiramisu Trifles
Classic Tiramisu
Tiramisu Cupcakes
Pumpkin Tiramisu Layer Cake
Oreo Brookie Tiramisu
Tiramisu Cookie Cups
Tiramisu Cheesecake
- Prep Time: 5 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 Slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Tiramisu Cheesecake is a super easy no-bake recipe and tastes just like tiramisu cake! The combination of espresso, Kahlua and mascarpone cheese is to die for!
Ingredients
CRUST
- 1 1/4 cup (167g) vanilla wafer crumbs
- 1/4 cup (56g) salted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 tbsp (20g) sugar
CHEESECAKE FILLING
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 16 oz (452) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (52g) sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1/2 cup (58g) powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
KAHLUA MIXTURE*
- 3 tbsp (45ml) warm water
- 2 tbsp (30ml) instant espresso powder
- 1 cup (240ml) Kahlua
- 12 ladyfingers
KAHLUA WHIPPED CREAM
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1/4 cup (60ml) Kahlua mixture (remaining from above), cold
- 10 tbsp (73g) powdered sugar
- Cocoa, optional
Instructions
CRUST
1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper in the bottom and grease the sides.
2. Mix together the crust ingredients until well combined and press the mixture into the bottom of the springform pan.
3. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool.
FILLING
1. To make the filling, mix the cream cheese, mascarpone cheese and sugar together on medium-low speed until combined. Do not mix on high speed or overmix or the mascarpone cheese can begin to separate. Set aside.
2. In another mixing bowl, add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
3. Slowly fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone cheese mixture. Set aside.
4. Combine the warm water and espresso powder for the Kahlua mixture in a small bowl. Add the Kahlua and stir to combine.
5. Dip the ladyfingers into the Kahlua mixture one at a time, then add to the springform pan, on top of the crust.
6. Spread the mascarpone cheese mixture evenly over the ladyfingers.
7. Set the cheesecake in the refrigerator to chill and firm, 5-6 hours or overnight. Set remaining Kahlua mixture in the fridge for later.
8. When the cheesecake is firm, make the Kahlua whipped cream. Add the heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup of the remaining Kahlua mixture and powdered sugar to a large mixer bowl. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
9. Carefully remove the cheesecake from the springform pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the sides, if needed.
10. Add the Kahlua whipped cream to the top of the cheesecake. You can simply spread it on top or pipe it in a similar pattern as I did. I used the Ateco 844 tip.
11. Sprinkle a little cocoa over the top of the cheesecake, if desired.
12. Refrigerate the cheesecake until ready to serve.
Notes
For a non-alcoholic espresso mixture to replace the Kahlua mixture, replace with this:
1 cup hot water
4 tbsp instant espresso powder
4 tbsp sugar
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 508
- Sugar: 26.3 g
- Sodium: 149.8 mg
- Fat: 34.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 37.3 g
- Protein: 5.9 g
- Cholesterol: 119.1 mg
Categories
Enjoy!
Sorry to tell you. I tried the recipe for tiramisu cheesecake over the weekend and we thought it tasted terrible.
Did you happen to make any adjustments to the recipe?
Awesome recipe! Thank you. I made it and it’s so easy and decadent. I wish I could attach a picture of my result.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
hi… i would love to do this recipe for a special occasion on saturday but i can’t have alcohol…how would you suggest i alter it without the kahlua…thanks…
For the Kahlua mixture, substitute this: 1 cup warm water, 4 tbsp instant espresso powder, 4 tbsp sugar
How long does this last in fridge after making? I leave Friday for the family Christmas I want to make it now due to my busy schedule but will it last?
I’d say it’s best for 2-3 days.
Made this for my birthday, it is exceptional! Definitely will be making again.
Wonderful! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
My Italian cousin posted this on FB and I pinned it to my boards. I am not big on “flavored cheesecake” but this sounded wonderful so I made it for thanksgiving. it was truly amazing and an HUGE hit! my nephew, who LOVES Tiramisu thought he died and went to heaven! Thanks so much for a great recipe! this is a keeper!
i left off the cocoa because my husband cannot eat chocolate. those who wanted it could put it on their own. 🙂
Wonderful! 🙂 I’m so glad it was such a hit!
Made this for Thanksgiving dessert tonight, and it was BOMB. Holy moly was this good! I did add a thin layer of dark chocolate ganache over the cheese layer (under the whipped cream), which gave it a great complexity and elegance. The crust was crunchy and soft, just as mentioned, and the Kahlua-espresso whipped cream was heavenly. I made extra of the whipped cream, since I decided to pipe it on the cheesecake and wasn’t confidant that I would pipe it effectively enough to cover the entire cake, but the amount in the recipe turned out to be plenty. Gave my sister the extra whipped cream and took a picture of her eating it from a huge serving spoon (she thinks the whipped cream is to die for, and is wonderful all by itself). I’ve been following this blog for a while now, and this is actually the first recipe I’ve tried. I’m buying the book.
Yay! I’m glad you got to try a recipe and loved it! 🙂 I hope you enjoy the book!! There’s a tiramisu cake in there. 😉
This looks delish and I am definitely making for thanksgiving! Can it be made the night before or would the whipped cream on top be better the day you serve it?
Sorry for the delay is response. For future reference, this can definitely be made a day ahead. The whipped cream is a stable one, so it’ll be fine.
Wow, the frosting on top turned out so pretty! And the cheesecake sounds delicious!
What are vanilla wafers and can I buy them in a uk supermarket
I don’t think they’re available in the UK. You could make your own (here’s a recipe).
I wish you would do a video showing how you pipe the top…It’s so gorgeous and piping scares me 🙁
I actually do have a video, I’m just waiting for it to be uploaded so I can share it in the post. It should be up in the next day or two. 🙂
Feedback? Is this okay to take up your space?
I LOVE that you give us the details of your investigative work! Cooks/bakers naturally come up with ideas or little adjustments they might make to a recipe, so it is a huge help when the developer tells you up front what not to do. Don’t try this, it doesn’t work. This ingredient is gross. It will cook too fast in this size pan. Etc. I say this because I immediately thought I would have used a lady finger crust. But it’s too soft! You already found out! So, thank you for letting us in on the nitty gritty.
Also, I’m saving this recipe. 🙂
Of course – I love the feedback! And I’m so glad you found it helpful! I hope you enjoy the cheesecake! 🙂
Do we really have to use alcohol here?
You certainly don’t have to, I just prefer the Kahlua. I mentioned in the post that you can replace it with additional water and espresso.
The ladyfingers are they the soft ones in the bakery section or are they the cookie type?
I used the soft ones for the cheesecake.
Oh Lindsay, going to be on my Christmas Eve menu for sure! Just looks wonderful.
Thanks Marilyn! 🙂 I hope you enjoy it!
Hi Lindsay,
What can I substitute lady fingers with?
That really is what you’re going to want to use. Nothing else will really give the same result.
This just might need to be my Thanksgiving dessert! Looks amazing!
I definitely think it should be. 😉 Thanks Debbie! I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try!
Hi LIndsay… I pre-ordered your book; can’t wait for it to arrive! I am breaking one of my cardinal rules here, by commenting on a recipe before I actually try it, but I must thank you for coming up with an almost no-bake tiramisu cheesecake! I love tiramisu and cheesecake, but when I tried another blogger’s recipe for it, the results were almost comedic, in that the ladyfingers floated to the top of the cheesecake batter while it was baking in the oven. Imagine my surprise when I opened the oven door! Your recipe comes with perfect timing too; my family is celebrating both my parents’ birthdays this weekend and my dad is an avid cheesecake fan. Will definitely be giving this recipe a go. Thanks again!
Oh, I hope you love the book Sharon! Hopefully it’ll get to you Tuesday!
I’m glad you’re excited to try the recipe, I hope you love it! Thanks! 🙂
Lindsay, this looks divine. I love all things Tiramisu, so this is going to be a treat 🙂