Tiramisu Cheesecake Recipe

Sharp coffee, sweet mascarpone cheese, chocolatey Oreo cookies, and tangy cream cheese are the stars of this lusciously smooth tiramisu cheesecake. Inspired by a classic Italian dessert, this rich, sweet, and comforting tiramisu cheesecake is a fun twist on some of your favorite flavors!

Made with only 6 simple ingredients, this coffee-flavored cheesecake is easy to make and a delight to eat! Dark notes of coffee and chocolate make this cheesecake a flavorful and indulgent winter dessert. 

This Italian-inspired tiramisu cheesecake is always a big hit at dinner parties or potlucks. Naturally alcohol-free and easily made caffeine-free, this sweet and tangy dessert is one the whole family can enjoy! There’s something truly magical about coffee-flavored cheesecake layered on top of a crumbly Oreo cookie crust; I mean, is there any better flavor combination than coffee and chocolate?? 

Although this recipe is written to be a baked cheesecake, you can also use the same basic ingredients (give or take a few) to make a no-bake tiramisu cheesecake. This even easier version of this dessert requires no baking and is delightfully light and mousse-like. Whether you go the traditional or the no-bake route, this tiramisu cheesecake is a total crowd-pleaser! 

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Cream Cheese—the “cheese” in cheesecake, this rich spread adds a subtle tang to this sweet dessert.
• Mascarpone Cheese—a key ingredient in traditional tiramisu, this Italian cheese has a naturally sweet flavor. 
• Instant Coffee—a quick and easy way to add strong coffee flavor.
• Eggs—act as a binding agent, helping your cheesecake batter to get thick and creamy.
• Sugar—needed to balance out the other slightly bitter and tangy flavors. 
• Oreos—are crushed and pressed into the bottom of a springform pan to create a chocolatey crust. 

How to Make the Best Tiramisu Cheesecake

Begin making this rich and decadent coffee-flavored cheesecake by pressing your crushed Oreos into the bottom of a springform pan. Use the bottom of a glass to level out and compact your cookie crust. 

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine your cream cheese and mascarpone. Use a hand mixer to whip air into your softened cheeses.

Add your eggs and continue mixing until thoroughly incorporated.

Finally, add your sugar and instant coffee and mix until you get a smooth and creamy cheesecake batter. 

Pour your tiramisu cheesecake batter on top of your Oreo crust.

Place your springform pan onto a high-sided baking sheet and carefully pour one cup of warm water into the tray—this creates a water bath. Place this entire setup into a 350°F oven and bake for 50 minutes.

Let the cheesecake cool at room temperature for 30 minutes and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before garnishing, serving, and enjoying! 

Recipe Variations

• Make your coffee cheesecake caffeine-free by using decaf instant coffee or an instant coffee substitute like Pero or Teeccino instead of regular instant coffee. 
• Get creative with your cheesecake crust. You could easily create a yummy crust out of ladyfingers, graham crackers, or shortbread cookies.
• Make a no-bake tiramisu cheesecake by omitting the eggs, adding whipped heavy cream, and subbing powdered sugar for regular sugar. No baked cheesecakes are “set” in the fridge and will have a softer, mousse-like texture.

Why do I need to bake my cheesecake in a water bath?

Cheesecakes are notorious for being quite tedious to bake; they easily crack and can even curdle in a hot oven. When placed in the oven, a water bath (also known as a bain marie) will create a gentle steam allowing your delicate and smooth tiramisu cheesecake to bake without cracking.

This rich and flavorful tiramisu cheesecake makes for a fun dessert after lighter meals such as a dinner salad. I recommend serving your slices of cheesecake alongside cups of coffee or glasses of milk.

Be sure to come back and tell us how your cheesecake turned out!

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