Tiramisu Swiss Roll

Tiramisu Swiss Roll is an indulgent yet easy dessert to create! A decadent Chantilly cream filling made of mascarpone cheese and coffee liqueur makes this delectable dessert truly divine.

Prepare a jelly roll pan or Swiss roll tin by lightly greasing it with oil or nonstick cooking spray.

Separate eggs, and beat egg yolks with plenty of sugar until ribbon stage; fold in beaten egg whites gradually, one third at a time.

Tiramisu Swiss Roll with espresso-soaked sponge and mascarpone cream, dusted with cocoa powder on a marble board.
A creamy, cocoa-dusted Tiramisu Swiss Roll showcasing its rich mascarpone and espresso swirl.
Tiramisu Swiss Roll with espresso-soaked sponge and mascarpone cream, dusted with cocoa powder on a marble board.

Tiramisu Swiss Roll

This Tiramisu Swiss Roll combines airy espresso-flavored sponge with rich mascarpone Chantilly cream and a touch of coffee liqueur, all finished with a cocoa dusting. Elegant, easy, and perfect for any celebration.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 370

Ingredients
  

For the Coffee Sponge
  • 3 large eggs room temperature​
  • 125 g caster or granulated sugar​
  • 8 g 2 tbsp instant coffee granules​
  • 20 g 4 tsp whole milk​
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or paste​
  • 45 g unsalted butter melted​
  • 80 g plain flour gluten-free blend recommended in source or all-purpose flour​
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder​
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda​
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt​
  • Neutral oil or nonstick spray for pan​
Coffee Soak
  • 4 g 1 tbsp instant coffee granules​
  • 12 g 1 tbsp sugar​
  • 45 g 3 tbsp hot water​
Mascarpone Whipped Cream (Filling & Finish)
  • 250 g mascarpone cold​
  • 160 –200 g double/heavy cream cold​
  • 60 g powdered sugar sifted (adjust to taste)​
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract or paste​
  • Optional: 1–2 tbsp coffee liqueur Kahlúa/Marsala​
For Finishing
  • Cocoa powder for dusting​
  • Chocolate shavings optional​

Equipment

  • 10×15 in (25×38 cm) jelly roll or Swiss roll pan, correctly sized to ensure proper sponge thickness and rolling.​
  • Parchment paper to line pan; light greasing or nonstick spray to aid release.​
  • Stand mixer or hand mixer for whipping eggs and cream to ribbon/soft peaks.​
  • Mixing bowls for batter and mascarpone whipped cream keep filling bowl chilled
  • Offset spatula or spatula for spreading batter and filling evenly.
  • Wire cooling rack to cool the sheet cake evenly and avoid condensation underneath.​
  • Fine-mesh sieve for dusting cocoa powder before serving.​
  • Pastry brush for applying the coffee soak evenly without oversaturating the sponge.​
  • Sharp knife for clean slices; wipe between cuts for best presentation.

Method
 

Prep pan and oven
  1. Heat oven to 180°C/350°F. Line a 10×15 in (25×38 cm) rimmed baking sheet with parchment; lightly grease parchment and sides.​
Make coffee-milk and whip eggs
  1. Dissolve 2 tbsp instant coffee in milk; warm to fully dissolve, then cool to lukewarm. Whisk eggs and sugar to ribbon stage until tripled in volume, 5–7 minutes.​
Combine wet ingredients
  1. Whisk in coffee-milk, vanilla, and melted butter briefly to combine.​
Add dry ingredients
  1. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to egg mixture and whisk 15–30 seconds just until smooth; scrape bowl.​
Bake
  1. Spread batter evenly in lined pan; tap to level. Bake 10–12 minutes until spongy and a toothpick comes out clean.​
Moisture-lock cool
  1. Immediately cover hot sponge with foil and cool to room temp or lukewarm to prevent cracking. Do not overcool below ~22°C/72°F.​
Make mascarpone cream
  1. Beat mascarpone, cream, powdered sugar, vanilla (and optional liqueur) to very soft peaks; do not overwhip. Keep cold.​
Make coffee soak
  1. Stir coffee, sugar, and hot water until dissolved; cool.​
Assemble
  1. Loosen sponge edges; dust top lightly with powdered sugar. Invert onto fresh parchment, skin side down. Peel off baking parchment. Brush evenly with coffee soak (don’t oversoak). Spread just over half the mascarpone cream to edges.​
Roll and finish
  1. Roll from a short side into a tight 10 in/25 cm log using parchment to guide. Cover outside with remaining mascarpone cream; create rustic swoops.​
Chill and serve
  1. Chill at least 1–2 hours, ideally overnight for best tiramisu flavor and clean slices. Dust generously with cocoa and add chocolate shavings before serving.

Notes

  • Crack prevention: Moisture-lock cooling under foil keeps the sponge pliable and reduces cracks, especially with coffee in the batter.​
  • Sweetness: Adjust powdered sugar in cream to taste; some prefer sweeter icing with this style of sponge.​
  • Without alcohol: Omit liqueur and use extra coffee or coffee syrup.​
  • Storage: Refrigerate airtight 3–5 days; serve chilled.​
  • Alternative method: Traditional towel-roll while warm also works; roll hot, cool rolled, then unroll to fill and reroll.

Sponge

Tiramisu cake rolls are exquisite treats made with light and fluffy genoise sponge roulades filled with mascarpone and coffee liqueur Chantilly cream, yielding an exquisite dessert that looks impressive yet is easier than you might imagine to create! Large eggs must first be separated and whipped separately with sugar before egg yolks are combined with additional sugar and vegetable oil to produce light airy sponge which then baked before being filled and rolled up with filling before being dusted generously with cocoa powder to complete its signature look – perfect for parties and special events alike!

To create this cake, you will require a large Swiss/jelly roll pan (approximately 15x10x1 inch), kitchen towel and light coating of oil or non-stick cooking spray.

Filling

Cake rolls are versatile rolled sponge cakes that can be filled with almost any cream or jam imaginable, from jams and jellies to creams and mousselines. In this tiramisu version, genoise (pronounced jen-wahz) sponge flavored with espresso is filled with luxurious mascarpone Chantilly cream spiked with coffee liqueur before generously dusted with cocoa powder for that classic tiramisu finish! A decadent and impressive treat but easier than it appears!

Note: For an ideal Swiss roll, it is crucial not to overbake the sponge. A little cracking is fine; an overcooked cake, however, may become difficult to roll. When testing doneness by lightly tapping on its center it should spring back when lightly touched.

Decorations

Tiramisu Swiss Rolls can be decorated simply or elaborately with cocoa powder dustings or more complex Swiss meringue frosting designs, creating the ideal centerpieces for any gathering. Making and refrigerating cakes ahead of time is also possible; just be sure to remove from the refrigerator at least a day or two prior to serving so they have time to thaw out and soften before being eaten! Tiramisu cake recipe is an impressively easy way to bring delight and decadence to parties or gatherings – make one now and surprise your friends and family with it! A light genoise sponge flavored with espresso is covered with layers of rich Chantilly cream filled with mascarpone cheese and coffee liqueur before being dusted with cocoa powder for an irresistibly beautiful and irresistibly decadent treat!

Variations

Swiss rolls can be enjoyed with an endless number of fillings and decorations. For an innovative take on this classic dessert, try this giraffe-shaped Swiss roll filled with milk chocolate ganache for something sure to impress!

Tiramisu Swiss Roll is an elegant variation on a classic cake! Made with light and fluffy espresso genoise sponge filled with mascarpone cheese, coffee liqueur Chantilly cream, and generously dusted with cocoa powder – it makes an irresistibly delicious treat perfect for parties or special events!

Vanilla swiss rolls are extremely popular and can be served with almost any kind of jam or fruit imaginable, like this vegan vanilla swiss roll with strawberry jam that is both easy to make and extremely delectable!

One great tip when making a Swiss roll is to use finger touching as a quick test of doneness – if it springs back, then it is ready for rolling. Be careful not to overbake though; too hot cake could cause cracking when rolling it up – any minor flaws in its structure can easily be hidden with frosting once unrolled and cool.

FAQ

Can I make a Tiramisu Swiss Roll ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare it 1–2 days in advance and refrigerate it. This helps the flavors develop and keeps the sponge moist.

How do I prevent my Swiss roll from cracking?

Don’t overbake the sponge, and roll it while it’s still warm using a clean kitchen towel. This helps the cake “remember” its shape

Can I make a Tiramisu Swiss Roll without alcohol?

Absolutely. Simply replace the coffee liqueur with strong brewed espresso or coffee syrup.

How long does a Tiramisu Swiss Roll last?

tored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for up to 3–4 days.

Can I freeze a Tiramisu Swiss Roll?

Yes. Wrap tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Conclusion

The Tiramisu Swiss Roll beautifully blends the classic flavors of espresso, mascarpone, and cocoa with the light texture of a traditional sponge roll. Despite its impressive appearance, this dessert is surprisingly simple to make with the right technique and a gentle touch when rolling. Whether you’re preparing it for a special celebration or an everyday indulgence, this elegant cake roll delivers rich flavor, creamy filling, and a show-stopping presentation. Serve it chilled, dusted with cocoa, and enjoy a delightful twist on an Italian favorite.