This vegan Tiramisu sheet cake is easier and quicker! It has a light and fluffy sponge cake that’s soaked with indulgent coffee syrup and then topped with a rich and creamy homemade vegan mascarpone! And sprinkled with cocoa. Creamy moist and perfect. Gluten-free and nutfree options included.
Craving tiramisu but don’t have time to make all the lady’s fingers cookies? Make this easy vegan tiramisu sheet cake! This easy vegan sheet cake has all the great things you love about tiramisu, but in sheet cake form, which means it is super quick to make and makes enough to feed a big crowd! Perfect for your holiday gatherings.
We bake a quick vanilla-scented thin sponge cake layer. Once baked, we poke some holes in the cake and pour over the coffee syrup to soak the cake and make it irresistibly moist. Then we top the cake with a creamy mascarpone-style vegan cream mixture. Some cocoa powder or chocolate shavings and top and done – so glorious!
This cake is such an elegant dessert that is perfect served with a steaming cup of coffee. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and frozen. Make fewer or more holes based on how much coffee you want soaked in. You’ll want to save this one.
For a gluten-free version check the tips section or the notes in the recipe card.
Why you will love this Tiramisu cake
- its easier and simpler
- It’s easy to transport
- it satisfies all the tiramisu cravings.
- it’s moist and delicious
- options to make it Glutenfree, Nutfree and Soyfree
More cake recipes:
Vegan Gluten free Chocolate Cake
Vegan Self Saucing Black Forest Chocolate Pudding Cake
Rasmalai Tres Leches Cake (Vegan)
Recipe Card
Vegan Tiramisu Sheet Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 tablespoons non-dairy yogurt or applesauce
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (118.29 ml) or more non-dairy milk
For the coffee syrup:
- 1/2 cup (118.29 ml) coffee that’s about 1/2 cup of water plus 1 tablespoon instant coffee or 2 espresso shots + water( add water to the espresso shots to make about 1/2 cup)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon coffee liquor this is optional or add in 2 to 3 drops of almond extract
For the cream layer:
- 1 (129 g) heaping cup of raw cashews
- 15 oz (425.24 g) can of full fat coconut milk
- 3 1/2 ounces vanilla or plain non-dairy yogurt see substitutions in notes
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 drops of almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
For topping:
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Instructions
- Make the cake: Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl,,That’s the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix well. Then add in the oil, non-dairy yogurt, vanilla and 1/2 cup of milk and mix in to make a smooth batter which is like thick pancake batter. If the mixture is too stiff add in some non dairy milk, one teaspoon at a time to mix in.
- Line a 8x8 inch or 9x9 inch brownie pan or grease as flour it well. pour the batter into the pan and even it out. Bake at 350 F (180 C) for 22 to 24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
- Then remove the cake from the oven, let it cool for 5 minutes then poke holes all over the cake. Depending on how soaked you want the cake you can poke lots of holes or just a few holes. More holes means more coffee syrup soaking. (For maximum soaking, slice a very thin slice from the cake top and then poke holes. This opens up the porous cake texture that absorbs well)
- Make your coffee syrup; add all ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat then mix really well. Bring to a boil and take off heat. Pour this all over the cake and let it soak completely.
- Make the cream layer, add all of the cream layer ingredients into a blender and blend until the cashews break down and get creamy. I usually blend for 1 minute then let it sit for 5 minutes then blend it again (repeat 2 - 3times) until the cashews are well blended. Taste and adjust sweetness.
- Pour this blended mixture into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stir occasionally in the beginning 3 to 4 minutes then stir frequently after that so that lumps do not form. Once the mixture has thickened evenly switch off the heat.
- Let the mixture cool for a few minutes then pour over the soaked cake and even it out really well. Then freeze this cake for 3 to 4 hours. Once the top is set but not soft(not entirely frozen), take out the cake from the freezer.
- Remove the cake using the parchment liner from the pan then dust it with the cocoa powder. Slice and serve!
Notes
- Store: Store refrigerated for upto 4 days. Freeze for upto a month.
- Serve: if frozen, move it to the fridge the morning of the event or a few hours before. Then take from the fridge, slice and serve.
- Yogurt substitute: use about 3 ounces of silken tofu or 1/4 cup more cashews instead of yogurt.
- Instead of coffee liqueur you can also use Kahlua.
- To make this gluten free, use 1/2 cup of almond flour, 1/2 cup of oat flour and 1/4 cup of potato starch mixed really well. Use about 1 cup of this mixture in the cake mixture and also add in 1/4 cup of club soda and mix in. If the mixture is too thin add in the remaining flour, one tablespoon at a time. You don’t want the batter to be too thick but just about the thickness of pancake batter then pour it into parchment lined baking pan and bake.
- Nutfree or cashew free: Use other nuts such as macadamia. Or use 1/2 cup more yogurt and 1/2 cup more coconut milk.
- Coconut free: Use 3/4 cup more cashews and 1 cup water to blend.
- Oilfree : use 2 tbsp applesauce or 1 tbsp non dairy yogurt or use more non dairy milk instead.
Nutrition
Ingredients:
- the dry cake ingredients are all-purpose flour, sugar and baking powder, and baking soda for the rise
- a mix of non dairy milk, oil and nondairy yogurt add moisture to the cake
- the sponge cake is flavored with vanilla extract, but you could also use almond essence
- We soak the sponge in a homemade coffee syrup made with sugar, coffee liqueur, and cheater’s coffee made by mixing water with instant coffee powder or go bold and add 2 espresso shots then add more water to make about 1/2 cup.
- For the mascarpone cream layer, we blend raw cashews with coconut milk, yogurt, vanilla, and almond extract, as well as sugar, and lemon juice
- The cake gets its finishing touches by dusting it with some cocoa powder
Tips:
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this without yogurt?
To make this cake without yogurt, you can use about 3 ounces of silken tofu or 1/4 cup more cashews instead of yogurt.
What can I use instead of liquor?
Instead of coffee liqueur you can also use Kahlua.
Can I make this Glutenfree?
To make this gluten-free, use 1/2 cup of almond flour, 1/2 cup of oat flour and 1/4 cup of potato starch mixed really well. Use about 1 cup of this mixture in the cake mixture and also add in 1/4 cup of club soda and mix in. If the mixture is too thin add in the remaining flour, one tablespoon at a time. You don’t want the batter to be too thick but just about the thickness of pancake batter then pour it into a parchment-lined baking pan and bake.
How to make Vegan Tiramisu Sheet Cake
Make the cake: Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl, mix really well. That’s the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
Then add in the oil, non-dairy yogurt, vanilla and 1/2 cup of milk and mix in to make a smooth batter which is like thick pancake batter. If the mixture is too stiff add in some nondairy milk, one teaspoon at a time to mix in.
Line a 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch brownie pan with parchment or grease and flour it really well. and pour this batter into the pan. Bake at 350 F for 22 to 24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Then remove the cake from the oven, let it cool for 5 minutes then poke holes all over the cake. Depending on how soaked you want the cake you can poke lots of holes or just a few holes. I like to poke holes every 1/2 inch all over the cake. For maximum soaking, slice a thin slice from the cake top and then poke holes.
Make your coffee syrup; add all ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat then mix really well. Bring to a boil and take off heat. Pour this all over the cake and let it soak completely.
To make the cream layer, add all of the cream layer ingredients into a blender and blend until the cashews have broken down. I usually let it blend for 1 minute then let it sit for 5 minutes then blend it again (2-4 times) until the cashews are well blended. Taste and adjust sweetness. See recipe notes for substitutions
Pour this blended mixture into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stir occasionally in the beginning 3 to 4 minutes then stir frequently after that so that lumps do not form. Once the mixture has thickened evenly switch off the heat.
Let the mixture cool for a few minutes then pour over the soaked cake and even it out really well. Then freeze this cake for 3 to 4 hours. Once the top is set but not soft(not entirely frozen), take out the cake from the freezer.
Remove the cake using the parchment liner from the pan (or you can let the cake stay in the pan and serve from it) then dust it with cocoa powder. Slice and serve.
Storage
Store refrigerated for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to a month.
Huong
Thank you Richa
Vegan Richa Support
thank you for trying, glad you enjoyed!
IR
I’m so excited to try this. Looks so yum. Can I use anything else for cashews. Daughter is allergic to it.
Vegan Richa Support
Use other nuts such as macadamia. Or use 1/2 cup more yogurt and 1/2 cup more coconut milk.
Cindy
I made this cake today for my husbands birthday and it was delicious! Your recipes never disappoint. One tip I will give to other readers is to soak the raw cashews in hot water for about 15-20 mins prior to blending for smoother results.
Vegan Richa Support
great tip! thank you for making!
Maree
Hello,
This made very little batter for me and barely rose..my ingredients are fresh and not stale, what could have happened? It seemed like the 3/4 cup of flour was too little. I’d love to try this again as the cream layer was amazing
Vegan Richa Support
The amount of flour should be 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp. We have not had any issue with rise or amount; are you baking at an elevation that typically requires tweaking recipes?
Kylie
This is really delightful! I recently made your tiramisu cheesecake brownies and was super happy with those, so I had try this when I came across it! Love the luscious cream! I added a little agave nectar while it was on the stove. The flavors blend even better after the cream has chilled. So delish, and my non-vegan partner loved it too!
Vegan Richa Support
So happy to hear you enjoy the recipe!
Ana
Could I make this without sugar using date syrup or date sugar?
Vegan Richa Support
You can use any other granulated sweetener you prefer, but note that this will change the flavor.
Varsha
Could you help me figure out how to make the cream layer without nuts and coconut ? My son is allergic to all nuts and coconut. Tiramisu would be such a treat for him!
Richa
Use a mix of hemp seeds, soy yogurt and silken tofu
Fede
I’d love to make this but I have a question first: Is it served right out of the freezer, or does it need to come to room temperature first? I need to figure out the timing for a formal dinner with guests. Thank you!
Richa
On the day you want to serve, move it from Freezer to the fridge. When ready to serve, take it out slice and serve.
Fede
Brilliant, thanks!
Kelly
Made this for a celebration dinner for my son who LOVES Tiramisu and he thought it was absolutely fantastic. He once got our family to order vegan Tiramisu at five different restaurants in one week in Madrid when we were on a vacation, it became a family joke and we would engage enthusiastically in comparing them to each previous offering. This recipe ranked extremely well, and it was easy for me to make ahead of time and leave in the freezer for a few days. Thawed in the fridge overnight and topped with powdered cocoa and it was a huge hit. The creamy topping baffles my mind in terms of how excellent and thick and creamy and perfectly flavored it is – I feel like I may end up finding other uses for it. Highly recommend – what a joy to be able to get these awesome flavors at home without sourcing lady fingers!
Vegan Richa Support
Wonderful! Thanks so much.
Leia
It turned out great! I found that it actually got better the longer it sat in the fridge. I’ll definitely be making it again 🙂
Richa
Yes! It gets more moist!
Laura
I made the gluten-free version and it turned out perfectly! I made it for my college student to enjoy, and she was so thrilled with the special delivery to her apartment! Since it worked out so well, I’ll be making it again!
Thank you for the excellent recipe. I printed it out to keep in my vegan/gluten-free file!
Richa
Yay!!
swati gulati
Hi Richa,
Any ideas in using this GF sponge as a base and making it a pineapple pastry cake w buttercream ? (like we used to eat in India). Trying to make this as a birthday cake. Thanks
Richa
Yes make 2 or 3 of this cake. Make the recipe as written for each cake instead of doubling the batter as gf doesn’t always scale well. Once baked you can add the fresh frosting and pineapple etc
Mandy
The recipe says 3/4 cup flour, that seems very low. I did use that amount and the cake was very flat.
Richa
It’s 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. So about 2 Tbsp less than 1 cup
KT
Made this yesterday, as soon as I saw the post. The whole family enjoyed it. Father in law said it’s better than real tiramisu (he doesn’t like cheese haha). All your recipes are winners richa!!
Richa
Yay!!!
Lorna Leaman
Looks delicious….can’t wait to try it. I eat oil free…..do you think I could sub aquafaba for the oil?
Richa
Use applesauce , non dairy yogurt or milk instead. Aquafaba varies a lot and throws off moisture and flavor
Stephanie
I made this for my husband who loves tiramisu. He raved over it and said it was one of his favorite desserts that I’ve ever made.
Richa
Yay!!
Lorna
I follow an oil free diet ……do you think aquafaba would work as a replacement for the oil in the cake portion of the recipe?
C02
Does this taste like coconut?
Richa
It does have a very mild coconut flavor. See notes for coconut milk free optio.
Mystyrica
I dont see parchment lining mentioned in the set up instructions. There isn’t parchment in the picture of pouring the wet batter into the pan, but there is parchment in the pictures of the cooked cake and beyond. At what point and how do we line the pan? Is it possible to line the pan after baking?
Richa
Line it before adding batter. It says in the recipe. I added the option to grease and flour it. As I was taking pics I realized parchment would work better for getting the cake out for good slices for pictures. But you can also slice and remove slices directly from the pan.