Years ago before my acquired chocolate allergy, my parents and I ate at Buca di Beppo occasionally and always ordered one of their decadent desserts. We were introduced to it by some friends and liked the quick, typically decent meal. The garlic bread. The chicken marsala. We even ordered take out sometimes.
My most vivid memory of eating there is one summer night what feels like an eternity ago. It was an okay meal at best, completely unmemorable, save for the dessert.
We all wanted to try the tiramisu. A dessert I had heard about and probably seen Giada cook on Food Network, I doubt I had ever eaten it. We ordered it and before long it was in front of us. We dove in.
The tiramisu was crazy good. Addictive. Cold and smooth and creamy and everything I imagine tiramisu should be. And it was boozy.
I should point out I was not 21, nowhere near it. And while I had consumed the occasional taste of wine or drink of beer, I wasn’t one of those rule breaking tweens drinking frequently. We were not warned about the alcohol content and the server, when questioned, said they didn’t have restrictions on serving it.
As fantastic as it was, I remember being cut off quickly so I wouldn’t stumble out of the restaurant.
It’s too bad now I can have alcohol but not chocolate so that tiramisu is still off limits.
But this Shortbread Tiramisu Icebox Cake is going to be on the table again and again. It totally lives up to that Buca tiramisu and then passes it by. No, this is not super traditional tiramisu (neither is theirs), but it has all those classic flavors and is everything you want from an easy to make, refreshing dessert that serves a crowd. Hello summer parties, assuming summer ever comes.
I will make traditional tiramisu one day, but for now this is more than tiding me over. Shortbread cookies make a buttery foundation for this cake. When soaked in coffee and vodka and layered with slightly sweetened whipped cream cheese, they do take on a cake like texture but still stand up to the tangy flavor and weight of the cream cheese. A dusting of carob (or cocoa) and this cake is good to go.
Like that Buca tiramisu, this one packs an adult punch.
Shortbread Tiramisu Icebox Cake
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 16–20 large shortbread cookies (I used Walkers they are my favorite)
- 2/3 cup very strong brewed coffee, room temperature
- 1/3 cup vodka
- 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- Carob or cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Line a medium bowl with plastic wrap, leaving overhang for easy removal later.
- Beat the cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar until well combined, light and fluffy. A hand mixer or stand mixer are the only tools for this job to achieve the proper consistency.
- Spread about ¼ of the cream cheese mixture in the bottom of the lined bowl.
- In a small bowl, stir together the coffee and vodka. Dip several of the cookies in this mixture, both sides for about 30 seconds total. Fit these cookies over the cream cheese, covering as much of the cream cheese as possible.
- Repeat with more cream cheese and more dipped cookies, until you finish with cookies as a base. Cover with the hanging plastic wrap and refrigerate at least two hours and up to overnight.
- When ready to serve, invert onto a serving platter and dust with carob or cocoa. Serve immediately. Leftovers may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
Additional hands off chilling time is necessary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
I can’t wait to try this. My mouth started salivating by seeing this only. cakes are my favorite.This one seems really easy to make and it doesn’t need baking so would love to try this one,because I love cold cake than the baked one. So I’m definitely going to try this soon and will definitely let you know, how it turned out.I’m sure this is gonna be the best cake ever.
I haven’t been to a Buca di Beppo in years! Fun place, particularly if you get the table in the kitchen. Anyway, this looks wonderful — you did a great job with this. Thanks!
I didn’t know they had a table in the kitchen. That would be fun!