Imagine a dessert so decadent, so creamy, and so effortlessly elegant that it transports you straight to the charming cafes of Italy - without you spending hours in the kitchen! This Italian No Bake Cake is the ultimate dessert hack that combines rich mascarpone, delicate ladyfingers, and a luxurious coffee-infused cream that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Whether you're a novice baker or a dessert enthusiast, this recipe promises a restaurant-quality treat that's ridiculously easy to create.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup strong coffee, cooled
- 1 package ladyfinger cookies
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Gather 2 cups of mascarpone cheese, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1 cup of cooled strong coffee, 1 package of ladyfinger cookies, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Using a whisk or an electric mixer, blend the mixture until it is smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
- In another bowl, pour in the heavy cream. Whip the cream using a hand mixer or stand mixer until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip, as you want the cream to remain light and fluffy.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture using a spatula. Start by adding a small amount of whipped cream to lighten the mascarpone, then gradually fold in the rest until fully incorporated.
- Prepare a shallow dish or a 9x9-inch square baking pan. Pour the cooled coffee into a shallow bowl. Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee, making sure they are soaked but not soggy.
- Arrange a layer of the soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of the dish, covering the entire base. You may need to break some ladyfingers to fit the shape of your dish.
- Spread half of the mascarpone and whipped cream mixture over the layer of ladyfingers, smoothing it out evenly with a spatula.
- Repeat the process by adding another layer of soaked ladyfingers on top of the mascarpone mixture, followed by the remaining mascarpone mixture. Smooth the top layer as well.
- Once assembled, cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the cake to set.
- Before serving, dust the top of the cake with cocoa powder using a fine sieve for a beautiful finish. You can also garnish with chocolate shavings or fresh berries if desired.
- Slice the cake into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy your delicious Italian No Bake Cake!
Tips
- Coffee Matters: Use high-quality, strong coffee and let it cool completely before dipping ladyfingers. Room temperature coffee works best.
- Mascarpone Temperature: Ensure your mascarpone is at room temperature for smoother mixing and no lumps.
- Whipping Cream Technique: Whip cream just until soft peaks form. Over-whipping can make your mixture grainy.
- Ladyfinger Dipping Trick: Dip ladyfingers quickly - just a second on each side. Too long will make them soggy and fall apart.
- Chilling is Key: For the best flavor and texture, refrigerate overnight. This allows flavors to meld and the cake to set perfectly.
- Cocoa Dusting: Use a fine mesh sieve for an even, professional-looking cocoa powder finish.
- Make Ahead Friendly: This dessert actually improves in flavor if made 1-2 days in advance, making it perfect for entertaining!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 100mg
