Tipsy Tiramisu Layer Cake

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This cake gets its name partly because of the booze in it, but mostly because it looks like a slightly drunk person put the layers together. Despite my inability to make a perfect layer cake, I still really wanted to share this recipe with you. I was so happy with the way the flavour turned out, it tasted exactly as I hoped – just like a tiramisu, but in giant cake form!

The cake consists of really moist coffee sponge, that’s brushed with a coffee and alcohol glaze and filled with lashings of mascarpone cream, then dusted with cocoa powder. If you love tiramisu/ or love someone that loves tiramisu, you should definitely make this cake!

For the cake –
150g/ 5 oz/ 1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
225g/ 8 oz/ 1 1/4 cups soft light brown sugar
3 egg
240g/ 9 oz/ 1 3/4 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
pinch salt
75ml/ 1/4 cup whole milk
3 tbsp strong black coffee

For the glaze-
3 tbsp strong black coffee
2 tbsp marsala, sherry or coffee liqueur

For the mascarpone cream –
250g/ 9 oz mascarpone cheese
300ml/ 1/2 pint double cream/ heavy cream
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla paste or vanilla extract
cocoa powder or hot chocolate powder for dusting

To make the cake –
– Preheat the oven to 180°C/ 350°F/ gas mark 4 and lightly grease 3 7″ cake tins.
– Whisk together the butter, sugar and egg until smooth and creamy.
– Fold in the flour, baking powder and salt until just combined.
– Whisk in the coffee and milk.
– Spoon an equal amount of cake batter in to each tin and smooth down the tops.
– Bake for 20-25 minutes until risen and golden brown.
– Remove the cakes from the oven and pierce the tops of the cakes several times with a fork. Leave to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to glaze.

To make the glaze –
– While the cakes are still warm, mix together the coffee and alcohol and brush generously over the top of each cake.
– Leave the cakes to cool completely before filling with mascarpone.

To make the mascarpone cream –
– Whisk together the mascarpone, cream, sugar and vanilla until thick and creamy.
– Spread a generous layer of cream on top of each cake and dust with chocolate powder before carefully assembling.