am i killing you with the recipes yet?  i am just trying to make up for all those months that i didn't post any - fair?  my husband's birthday was yesterday and i made myself a little promise some months ago.  i wanted to start a tradition to bake a birthday cake from scratch for my family on their respective birthdays.  ayla's was a disaster.  so much so, i bought cupcakes for ari rose.  feeling a bout of confidence, a decided to give it another go.  while my husband will tell you today that his favorite color is blue, but tomorrow it could be red - one favorite has remained steadfast and true... tiramisu.  

the tiramisu birthday cake:

the cake:

~ 13 T butter

~ 1 c. sugar

~ 1/3 c. honey

~ 2 eggs

~ 3 yolks

~ 1 t. strong brewed espresso

~ 1 t. vanilla 

~ 1/2 c. milk

~ 2 c. flour

~ 2 t. baking powder

prepare two 9-inch baking rounds with butter, flour and parchment paper and set aside.  beat the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy. add the honey and continue to mix.  in another bowl whip the eggs, yolks, espresso, vanilla and milk - set this aside.  in another bowl, sift the flour and baking powder together.  add a bit of the egg mixture to the butter and then a bit of the flour - continue this until the batter is thoroughly mixed and ribbons when you pour it.  divide is equally between the two baking pans and bake in the center of the oven for 25 minutes.  let stand for 5-10 minutes before turning the layers out onto a cooling rack.

filling number 1:

~ 1/4 c. marsala {sweet italian wine}

~ 1/4 c. strong brewed espresso

whisk together and set aside.

filling number 2:

part one:

~ 7 egg yolks

~ 1/4 c. sugar

~ 8 oz. mascarpone

~ 4 oz. cream cheese

~ 1 T. strong brewed espresso

whip the yolks and sugar together until they become thick and pale.  add the mascarpone, cream cheese and espresso.  whip until fully incorporated.  pour into another bowl and chill.

part two:

~ 1 pt. heavy cream

~ 1/2 c. sugar

~ 2 T. strong brewed espresso

~ 2 T. marsala

combine all ingredients and whip until stiff peaks have formed.  remove part one of filling number two from the refrigerator and gently fold - adding small amounts at a time - the mixture into the heavy cream mixture.  be gentle as you do not want to lose the air that you whipped into the cream.

filling number 3:

~ 6 oz. roughly chopped semi-sweet choclate

~ 1 t. espresso grounds

assembly:  

when the cakes are cool enough to handle, use a serrated knife to cut off the top round part of the layers - exposing the interior of the cake. place the first layer on a cake platter or serving dish.  using a pastry brush - gently brush/dot the espresso and marsala mixture over the top of the cake.  top with 1/3 of the cream/mascarpone mixture and spread gently - let it pour over the edges of the cake.  sprinkle 1/2 of the chopped chocolate over the mixture - then add another 1/3 of the mixture on top the chocolate.  top this with the other cake layer.  using the remaining espresso/marsala mixture - brush this layer as well.  top with remaining cream/mascarpone and sprinkle the chocolate over the top.  using a fine sieve - dust the top with the espresso.  let set up in the fridge for at least an hour before cutting into the cake.  

xoox~jla

Comments

[Patricia Scarpin]

What a gorgeous cake! I love the flavor you chose.

[Crystal]

What a beautiful cake. I will definitely have to save this recipe.

[Jen]

I am seriously drooling right now.

[erin]

oh my goodness! what a cake!

[Carol]

OMG that just looks delicious :-)

[Kelly]

looks so good!! happy birthday to your husband!

[jla]

thank you ladies! sending you all a "cyber slice" ;)

[joanna goddard]

looks delicious! happy bday to your husband. and i am IN LOVE with Short Stories.

[hiki]

oh so beeeeautiful! your husband is so lucky! and happy birthday to the lucky guy ;)

[Anna]

So yummmy. (and your short stories make me cry every single time - I love it)

[jla]

thank you, thank you - a bit time consuming, but SO worth the effort ;) and thank you for the 'short stories' love - it is becoming a very soulful experience for me... xoox

[tara]

Stunning version of such a classic dessert; I cannot wait to find an excuse to try the recipe. Happy belated to your husband.

[the purcells]

looks and sounds amazing jen!! love all the recipes in your posts recently.

[nikole]

oh that looks great!

[by JOS - SIMPLE BLUEPRINT]

yummmm! cannot wait for my boyfriends birthday.... I am making that cake!

happy weekend.
joanna

[Jessica]

I have been saving this recipe for a special occasion (and one where I had the time to do it!). I finally made it, and it is absolutely delicious. Also, did not see a temperature on the recipe, but I tried 350 and all was fine.

thanks for a delicious way to spend a rainy Saturday!
-jess

[Karima]

I also noted this way back, and have now made it twice in two months for birthdays. It has become "the cake" needless to say. Thank you for this stunning keeper of a special treat. My name links to my image (not in the same dreamy universe as yours of course :-)) of your cake!