Description
A rich, creamy no-bake dessert featuring layers of coffee-dipped vanilla wafers, caramel sauce, and whipped mascarpone. This easy, make-ahead treat requires minimal active effort and delivers high-impact flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (approx. 25-30 cookies) vanilla wafers
- 1 cup (240ml) strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 1 jar (14-18 oz) pourable caramel sauce
- 8 oz (225g) mascarpone cheese, cold
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for garnish (optional)
- Extra vanilla wafers for crumbling (optional)
Instructions
- Brew coffee and let it cool to room temperature. If caramel sauce is thick, microwave in 15-second intervals until pourable.
- In a large bowl, combine cold mascarpone, cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Dip each vanilla wafer quickly into the cooled coffee and lay them in a single, tight layer at the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish.
- Spread about half of the whipped mascarpone mixture evenly over the cookie layer.
- Drizzle about half of the caramel sauce over the mascarpone in a zigzag pattern.
- Repeat the layers: coffee-dipped cookies, remaining mascarpone cream, and remaining caramel sauce. End with a final layer of cookies.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight (12-24 hours).
- Just before serving, dust the top with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings. Slice with a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wipe dry between cuts. Serve cold.
Notes
Ensure mascarpone and cream are very cold for best whipping results. Do not soak cookies too long or they will disintegrate. The cake is best eaten 1-2 days after making; after 3 days, cookies may become too soft. Do not freeze as whipped cream may separate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: coffee toffee icebox cake, no bake dessert, easy dessert, make ahead dessert, mascarpone cream, caramel dessert, vanilla wafer cake