This is the most stunning berry tiramisu cake recipe you’ll make because it’s an actual cake. This layered tiramisu cake with fruit has simple ingredients and is surprisingly easy to make.

You will love the mascarpone cream frosting and berry syrup. Just like our Tres Leches Cake, this looks really impressive without a ton of effort which is an added bonus!

Layered Berry Tiramisu Cake with a slice cut out

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I made this for my sister’s birthday and the following week for my niece’s birthday and it was a big win both times. The phrase, “I love that it’s not too sweet”, was said again and again.

What is a Tiramisu Cake?

Tiramisu Cake is a dessert with layers of sponge cake (or often ladyfingers which are basically dried out sponge cake), soaked with liqueur or coffee and frosted with mascarpone cheese. The word Tiramisu itself literally means “pick me up” in Italian, hence the reason it has the liqueur or coffee in it.

Classic Tiramisu works surprisingly well as a Berry Tiramisu and this adds a fresher layer to it with the delicious berries. We have our own traditional Tiramisu Recipe to give you a better idea of where this recipe stems from.

Fully assembled Berry Tiramisu Cake on Platter with slice cut out on separate plate.

Ingredients for Berry Tiramisu Cake:

The base starts with a super simple, traditional European sponge cake. The mascarpone cheese can be found at most major grocery stores and the liqueur is usually only found in liquor stores. We love Grand Marnier Orange Liqueur for its amazing flavor. If you don’t want to buy a big bottle, you can purchase 2 tiny bottles as pictured (1.5 oz each) to get 6 Tbsp for this recipe.

You’ll also need fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, some whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract.

Ingredients for Tiramisu Cake Recipe

Can I Use Ladyfingers Instead of Sponge Cake?

Yes! Ladyfingers are a great substitution and make for a good mix between this recipe and the classic tiramisu recipe. You wouldn’t need to bake anything with this quick substitute, making this recipe even easier.

I would recommend layering it in a springform pan like the way we have done with our Charlotte Cake Recipe giving it a finished look. Slicing your cake completely covered in berries is made easy using this method. The ladyfingers line the outer edge of the cake and you can cut even slices all the way around!

Can I Substitute the Liqueur?

The flavor of the liqueur mellows out but you can use less with 3 Tbsp liqueur in the syrup and 1 Tbsp in the cream or make it a virgin (alcohol-free) by replacing liqueur with freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste. The berry tiramisu cake will taste delicious either way!

How to Make a Tiramisu Cake:

1. Bake the easy 4-ingredient sponge cake. Once cakes are at room temp, use a serrated knife to cut in half for a total of 4 layers.

2. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 package raspberries, 1/4 cup water, 4 Tbsp orange liqueur, and 2 Tbsp sugar. Mash those together with a fork and set aside.

Berry Tiramisu syrup with liqueur, best liqueur for tiramisu

3. Just before assembling your cake, make the cream: In a large bowl, use a spatula to fold together 16 oz mascarpone cheese and 2 Tbsp orange liqueur until well incorporated.

whipping cream mixed with liqueur in a mixing bowl

4. In a second large mixing bowl, beat with a mixer 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla just until fluffy with soft peaks (note: mascarpone stabilizes whipped cream so don’t over-beat or it will become grainy). Use a spatula to fold half of the whipped cream into the mascarpone to lighten it then fold in remaining cream and blend until fully incorporated. It may seem loose at first but it thickens as it sits.

Mixing cream, sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl with hand mixer.

How to Assemble Berry Tiramisu Cake:

  1. Place your first cake layer on a serving platter and use a spoon to spread 1/4 of your raspberry syrup (no need for perfection).
  2. Top with 1/4 of your cream and a generous layer of sliced strawberries and whole blueberries.
  3. Repeat with remaining layers and cover the top with remaining whole strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.

Tip: if you spread the cream and place berries just past the cake’s edges, it will look prettier and more loaded when stacked. 

How to assemble tiramisu cake with fruit, syrup and mascarpone cream

Can I Make this Cake Ahead?

The sponge cake is so easy and can be made a day ahead or stored in the freezer for up to 3 months and because it doesn’t get soggy, it will stay yummy assembled in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. If you’re worried about it looking fresh, you can add the berries to the top layer the day of and your guests will be none the wiser! It tastes delicious when chilled so no need to let it sit out before serving. It actually slices best when chilled anyway.

fully assembled berry tiramisu cake on platter

Love Layered Cake Recipes?

Here are some of our most popular layered cakes. Whether you love chocolate layered cakes or berry layered cakes, these are definitely crowd-pleasing desserts!

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Berry Tiramisu Cake Recipe

4.98 from 76 votes
This is the most stunning berry tiramisu you'll make because it's an actual cake. It's surprisingly simple to make and doesn't require a crazy long list of ingredients.
Prep Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours

Ingredients 

Servings: 12 slices

For the Sponge Cake:

For Berry Tiramisu Cake Syrup, Fillings and Cream:

  • 12 oz Driscoll's raspberries, divided
  • 6 Tbsp (3 oz) orange liqueur, divided
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar, + 2 Tbsp for berry sauce
  • 16 oz mascarpone cheese, refrigerated
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, (36% milk fat), chilled
  • 1 lb Driscoll's strawberries, sliced, reserving 6 berries for the top
  • 1 pint Driscoll’s blueberries, (2 cups ), divided

Instructions

How to Make Berry Mascarpone:

  • Bake the easy 4-ingredient sponge cake (click for written instructions). Once cakes are at room temp, use a serrated knife to cut in half for a total of 4 layers.
  • In a small bowl, combine 1/2 package raspberries, 1/4 cup water, 4 Tbsp orange liqueur, and 2 Tbsp sugar. Mash together with a fork and set aside.
  • Just before assembling your cake, make the cream: In a large bowl, use a spatula to fold together 16 oz mascarpone cheese and 2 Tbsp orange liqueur until well incorporated.
  • In a second large mixing bowl, beat with a mixer 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla just until fluffy with soft peaks.** Use a spatula to fold half of the whipped cream into mascarpone to lighten it then fold in remaining cream and blend until fully incorporated.

How to Assemble Berry Tiramisu Cake:

  • Place your first cake layer on a serving platter and use a spoon to spread 1/4 of your raspberry syrup (no need for perfection). Top with 1/4 of your cream and a generous layer of sliced strawberries and whole blueberries. Repeat with remaining layers and cover the top with remaining whole strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. ***

Notes

**Mascarpone stabilizes/stiffens soft whipped cream so don't over-beat or it will become grainy when blended with mascarpone.
***If you push the cream and berries just slightly past the cake's edges, it will look prettier when stacked. Cake can be served right away, but if you refrigerate 1 to 2 hours, it will be a little easier to slice.

Nutrition Per Serving

502kcal Calories46g Carbs8g Protein31g Fat18g Saturated Fat160mg Cholesterol66mg Sodium212mg Potassium4g Fiber32g Sugar1121IU Vitamin A34mg Vitamin C109mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Berry Tiramisu Cake Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
502
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
31
g
48
%
Saturated Fat
 
18
g
113
%
Cholesterol
 
160
mg
53
%
Sodium
 
66
mg
3
%
Potassium
 
212
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
46
g
15
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
32
g
36
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
 
1121
IU
22
%
Vitamin C
 
34
mg
41
%
Calcium
 
109
mg
11
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: berry tiramisu
Skill Level: Medium
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 502

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

slice of berry tiramisu cake on a plate

Let me know if you make this for someone you love. It truly is a special cake and can be used for so many different special occasions.

The most STUNNING Berry Tiramisu you'll make - bring this to a party and watch people's eyes light up. This Tiramisu cake is SURPRISINGLY SIMPLE to make. Step-by-step photos! | natashaskitchen.com

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Comments

  • Bella
    August 25, 2023

    Tiramisu recipe is super! The cake part( baking) was easy,because I bake it from your recipe.The rest just assembling.Thank you,Natasha!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 25, 2023

      Thank you for sharing, Bella! I’m glad you love it.

      Reply

  • Diane
    August 25, 2023

    Why did my cakes drop in the middle? My baking powder did not expire and after 25 minutes I didn’t want to leave them in oven longer? Any ideas? Thanks.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 25, 2023

      Hi Diane! Did you use a smaller pan by chance? Be sure to fully preheat your oven. I like to use an internal oven thermometer (Amazon affiliate link) to see if my oven is calibrated. If you use too much baking powder, or if your oven runs to hot, the cake can rise to fast and no fully cook in the middle, causing them to collapse. Lastly, don’t open the oven in the process of baking, the fluctuation of temperature could affect it too while it’s rising. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Vera
    July 19, 2023

    Hi Natasha! Can I add 1 more layer to make a taller cake? Will it fall off when I cut with all fresh berries?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 19, 2023

      Hi Vera! You can experiment with it. This is a soft cake, the frosting is not very stable. The taller it is, the more unstable it will be and the harder to cut.

      Reply

  • Christina Baumgartner
    June 28, 2023

    Could you do this in a sheet cake? I have a large gathering this weekend may 20 to 30 people. Would you double or triple the cake recipe? Thanks!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 28, 2023

      Hi Christina! You should be able to do this sheet cake style. I haven’t tested the measurements for that to provide specific instructions on how to adjust the recipe. You can reference my blackberry lemon roll cake recipe but you may need to experiment with it. Let us know how it turns out!

      Reply

  • Lilly
    June 28, 2023

    Is there a substitute I could use for the orange liqueur ? My husband is not a fan.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 28, 2023

      Hi Lilly! You can substitute with equal parts orange juice.

      Reply

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