Heart Shaped Tiramisu Cake

Tiramisu is our favorite cake.  I found the original recipe at All recipes and altered it so I could make it a little more often.  This is the cheaters version.  I made this for my husband for Valentine's Day; he just got it a day early but he did not mind.  

Ingredients:

1 Plain white cake ( unfrosted) 9X13 ( I used a cake mix.) Please see bottom note.
1/4 cup coffee
1 tablespoon coffee flavored liqueur
1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
FILLING:
1 (8 ounce) container mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur

FROSTING:
2 cups heavy cream (I used whip cream because that is what I had but it was a little too soft)
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur


GARNISH:
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate ( I used a Hersey's bar)
Candy Kisses

Please note: The original recipe came from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tiramisu-layer-cake/  I altered the recipe to make it quick in a pinch using what I had on hand.  The original recipe takes a little longer to make.   I made an oblong cake and cut heart shapes from the cake to make individual cakes.  I also made some with whipped topping and some without and I personally liked it better without the whipped topping.  If you want a stronger coffee flavor add the coffee powder to the cake before you bake it.  I was out of this so I omitted it.  The cake is better with it though. The coffee powder also adds color to the cake.  

You will need basic baking tools.

9X13 cake pan
Mixing bowls
Spoons
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Knife
Spatula
Cutting board
Heart shaped cookie cutters
Serving dishes
Mixer
Oven
 

I turned the baked cake on a cookie sheet to cut out the shapes. 

Please note: I baked my cake a little too long so I had to trim off the edges; so when you bake the cake make sure it does not form a crust anywhere or it will be difficult to cut out the shapes.

Mix all these ingredients together:
FILLING:
1 (8 ounce) container mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur

Make the frosting according to the directions: 

FROSTING:
2 cups heavy cream (I used whip cream because that is what I had but it was a little too soft)
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur

GARNISH:
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate ( I used a Hersey's bar)

If I make this recipe again; I will not use ready made whip cream, it was too soft.  

Using the spatula place one heart on a plate.
Carefully pour coffee over the cake (see picture.) 
Spoon a small amount of the filling over the top and using the knife to spread it evenly.
Sprinkle with Coco.
Place the 2nd layer over the first layer and spoon filling over the top and spread it out, this time don't use coffee or Coco.
Repeat this process altering the layers differently to achieve different colors and flavors but save the last layer for the next step. I think mine would have been better if I had added more Coco to achieve a better color between layers.

For the final layer I used a mini heart cookie cutter and cut out the Hersey's to form the heart shape.  
I frosted the top with the whipped cream and added Coco and the Hersey's heart shape and placed a candy heart in the center of that.

I did not use the whipped topping on all the cakes and we liked it best without it.  Maybe it would have been OK if I had used the homemade whipped topping instead.    

This is my families favorite cake recipe.  They like it both ways, the original and the new version.  I sent a piece over for my neighbor to try and she loved it!    I have served the original recipe many times and it is always a huge hit.  I like this version when I need to make it much quicker though.  It is almost as good as the longer version and we get to eat it a little more often.  
Thank you for stopping by and please remember to have a beautiful day!
Sunshiine