Sally's Kitchen · Fall Baking
Pumpkin Tiramisu
Prep
~30 min
Bake
30–40 min
Chill
1 hr min, overnight best
Serves
6–8
Times are approximate — confirm against your own bake before publishing.
The Coffee That Makes This Work
Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee does double duty in this recipe — once brewed into the cake batter, once as the soak between layers — so the flavor isn't just on top, it's built in from the start. You could use another medium roast, but this is the one the recipe was built around. You could use another coffee — but this is the one the recipe was built around.
Shop Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee →Available in whole bean, ground, pods, and decaf. Fresh roasted to order, every time.
Every food blog runs a pumpkin tiramisu this time of year, and most of them land in one of two camps: a no-bake version built on raw eggs and ladyfingers, or a round layer cake that's really more birthday cake than tiramisu. This one splits the difference. It's baked, so there's no raw egg to think about — and it's assembled as a loaf and sliced, the way tiramisu is actually supposed to be served, just with cake standing in for the ladyfingers.
It's a bit of a production. Multiple bowls, a little patience, a chill in the fridge before it's ready. But it makes enough to share, it keeps well, and it genuinely gets better on day two — so treat the wait as part of the plan, not an inconvenience.
For the Cake
- 15.25 oz. pumpkin cake or spice cake mix of choice
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup strong brewed Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee, cooled
For the Mascarpone Cream
- 8 oz. mascarpone cheese, cold
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
- 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
- ⅛ tsp. salt
For the Coffee Soak and Assembly
- ½ cup strong brewed Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee, cooled
- 1 Tbsp. bourbon or coffee liqueur, optional
- ½ Tbsp. cocoa powder, for dusting
- 1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice, for dusting
Instructions
Make the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and cooled coffee in a large bowl until smooth.
- Pour into the prepared pan and bake 30–40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely before removing from the pan.
Make the Cream & Coffee Soak
- Combine the mascarpone, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and salt until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in the mascarpone mixture. Chill until assembly.
- Combine the cooled coffee and alcohol, if using, in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Combine the cocoa powder and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
Assemble
- Line a loaf pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy release.
- Slice the cake in half horizontally, then in half vertically, for four layers total. You'll use three.
- Place a cake layer in the bottom of the loaf pan. Soak with the coffee mixture using a pastry brush or squeeze bottle, then spread a layer of mascarpone cream on top. Dust with a third of the cocoa-spice mix. Repeat the layers, finishing with mascarpone on top and a final dusting of cocoa-spice mix. Chill at least an hour, or until ready to serve.
- Remove from the pan, slice, and enjoy. Keeps covered in the fridge for a few days — and honestly tastes better on day two, once the layers have had time to settle.
Sally's Note
The bourbon or coffee liqueur is genuinely optional — it adds depth if you're serving this to adults, but the recipe works exactly the same without it. Don't let a missing bottle stop you from making it.
FAQ
What makes this different from a traditional pumpkin tiramisu?
Most pumpkin tiramisu recipes are no-bake, built on raw or lightly cooked egg yolks and ladyfingers. This version uses a baked pumpkin spice cake in place of the ladyfingers — no raw egg, and a sturdier, more sliceable result.
Can I make pumpkin tiramisu ahead of time?
Yes — it needs at least an hour to chill before serving, but it's genuinely better made a day ahead. The extra time lets the coffee soak into the cake and the layers settle.
Do I need espresso for the coffee soak?
No. Strong brewed Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee is used throughout this recipe — in the batter and the soak — so the flavor stays consistent without needing a separate espresso setup.
Can I leave out the bourbon or coffee liqueur?
Yes, it's optional. It adds a little depth but the recipe works the same without it.
How long does pumpkin tiramisu keep?
A few days, covered, in the fridge. The cream layer holds up well and the cake stays moist from the coffee soak.
Made this one? Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee is available whole bean, ground, in pods, and decaf — so however you make your coffee, it works. Fresh roasted to order, every time.
More recipes like this one are at The Menu.
