If you adore classic tiramisu but crave a bright, fruity twist, this Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe is about to become your new dessert obsession. Combining luscious mascarpone cream with juicy strawberries and a delicate strawberry syrup-soaked ladyfinger base, this dessert is a refreshing burst of sweetness and creaminess all in one. It’s perfect for spring and summer gatherings or any time you want to impress friends and family with something both beautiful and mouthwateringly delicious. Once you try this Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe, you’ll wonder why anyone ever thought tiramisu had to be coffee-flavored!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe lies in its straightforward and approachable ingredients, each playing a key role. Fresh strawberries provide natural sweetness and vibrant color, mascarpone cheese lends that signature creamy texture, and the strawberry jam and liqueur create layers of deep, fruity flavor. Together, these essentials make the dessert as stunning as it tastes.
- 4 cups quartered strawberries: The freshest strawberries you can find will give you the best flavor and texture.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the strawberries to create a natural homemade jam.
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice: Adds brightness and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- â…“ cup strawberry jam: Adds richness and intensifies the strawberry taste.
- 1 cup strawberry liqueur (or strawberry juice, orange juice, or Grand Marnier): This liquid infuses the ladyfingers with delicate fruitiness and a touch of indulgence.
- 2 cups mascarpone cheese: The creamy base that makes tiramisu so irresistible and luxurious.
- ½ cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the mascarpone mixture gently without being grainy.
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice: Mixed into the mascarpone for extra zing.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Elevates the creaminess with a warm, comforting aroma.
- 1¾ cups heavy whipping cream: Whipped into soft peaks, it lightens the mascarpone filling beautifully.
- ¾ cup chopped strawberries: For a lovely texture contrast and fruity bursts within the layers.
- 28 ladyfinger cookies: The classic sponge base that soaks up all those luscious flavors.
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream: Whipped for finishing touches before serving.
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries: Powdered and sifted over the top for a stunning, fresh strawberry dusting.
How to Make Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe
Step 1: Make the Strawberry Jam
Begin by bringing your quartered strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice to a gentle boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. This simple process reduces the fruit into a fragrant, thick strawberry jam that becomes a sweet core for the tiramisu. Once thickened, cool it fully and refrigerate to let the flavors meld beautifully.
Step 2: Prepare the Mascarpone Filling
Next up, mix the mascarpone cheese with powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with the remaining powdered sugar to soft peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mix—this lightens the filling and creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.
Step 3: Prepare the Strawberry Syrup
Combine the freshly made strawberry jam with your choice of strawberry liqueur (or juice alternative). This syrup is what you’ll dip your ladyfingers into, ensuring each cookie bursts with juicy, sweet flavor instead of the usual coffee soak.
Step 4: Assemble the Tiramisu
Start by quickly dipping the ladyfinger cookies in the strawberry syrup, then layer them evenly in your dish. Spread half of the mascarpone filling over the soaked cookies, drizzle with additional strawberry jam, and sprinkle the chopped strawberries on top. Repeat these layers with the remaining ladyfingers, mascarpone filling, jam, and fruit. Cover and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors blend and the texture firm up.
Step 5: Before Serving
Whip the remaining heavy cream until it holds stiff peaks. Using a food processor or blender, pulse the freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder and sift them over the top of your tiramisu. Finish with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with fresh strawberries for that extra wow factor.
How to Serve Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of powdered freeze-dried strawberries adds a pretty pop of color and a hint of tartness that contrasts beautifully with the creamy layers. Don’t forget to crown your masterpiece with fresh strawberry slices or whole berries for inviting freshness that signals to everyone how special this dessert truly is.
Side Dishes
Strawberry tiramisu pairs wonderfully with light accompaniments. Serve it alongside fresh mint leaves or a simple fruit salad for a refreshing balance. A chilled glass of sparkling rosé or a fruity dessert wine elevates the experience, making your Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe shine even brighter at celebrations or casual get-togethers.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant touch, try individual servings in clear glasses or mason jars. This lets the layers shine through and makes portioning a breeze. You can also create mini trifle cups or even deconstruct the tiramisu by layering components in small parfait glasses for a modern twist. Whichever way you present it, the colors and textures will charm anyone lucky enough to dig in!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors meld beautifully over time, but the ladyfingers may soften more, so it’s best enjoyed within this window for the perfect balance of texture and taste.
Freezing
While freezing tiramisu is possible, it’s best to avoid freezing this particular Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe because the fresh fruit layers tend to become watery and the texture of mascarpone cream can alter after thawing. If freezing can’t be avoided, try freezing individual components separately and assembling fresh before serving.
Reheating
Tiramisu is always served chilled, so reheating is not recommended for the Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe. Keep it cool and let the creamy texture and fresh strawberry flavor truly shine by serving straight from the fridge.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Fresh strawberries are definitely ideal because they provide the best texture and flavor, especially when eaten raw in the layers. However, in a pinch, thawed frozen strawberries can be used for cooking the jam, but they may release more water and affect the consistency slightly.
What if I don’t have strawberry liqueur?
No worries at all! Substitute the liqueur with strawberry juice, orange juice, or even a splash of Grand Marnier for a hint of citrus. The key is to use a flavorful liquid that complements the strawberry jam and keeps the ladyfingers moist and tasty.
How long should I let the tiramisu chill?
Overnight chilling is best. This allows the ladyfingers to soak up the strawberry syrup and the mascarpone layers to set nicely, resulting in that classic, creamy tiramisu texture that’s so irresistible.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
While mascarpone cheese and heavy cream are central to the creamy texture, you can experiment with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and coconut cream. Keep in mind the flavor and consistency will differ, so it’s worth testing small batches first.
Is this recipe suitable for larger gatherings?
Absolutely! It’s easy to double or even triple the recipe and use larger serving dishes or several smaller ones. Just keep in mind the chilling time should remain the same to ensure the best flavor and texture throughout.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe is a delightful way to reinvent a classic favorite with fresh and vibrant flavors that will brighten up any occasion. It’s fun to make, impressively beautiful, and utterly delicious, so don’t hesitate to dive in and share this treat at your next get-together. Your friends and family will be asking for the recipe instantly!
Print
Strawberry Tiramisu Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes plus overnight chilling
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
A refreshing twist on the classic Italian tiramisu, this Strawberry Tiramisu features layers of ladyfinger cookies soaked in a vibrant strawberry syrup, creamy mascarpone filling, and fresh strawberries. Perfectly sweet and fruity, it’s a delightful dessert to prepare ahead and serve chilled.
Ingredients
Strawberry Jam
- 4 cups quartered strawberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
Strawberry Syrup
- â…“ cup strawberry jam
- 1 cup strawberry liqueur (or strawberry juice, orange juice, or Grand Marnier)
Mascarpone Filling
- 2 cups mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar (divided)
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups heavy whipping cream
Assembly
- 28 ladyfinger cookies
- ¾ cup chopped strawberries
Garnish
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
Instructions
- Make the Strawberry Jam: Combine the quartered strawberries, granulated sugar, and 4 tablespoons lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture reaches a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until thickened to a jam consistency. Remove from heat, allow to cool, then refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare the Mascarpone Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese with ¼ cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip 1¾ cups heavy cream with the remaining ¼ cup powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture to create a light and creamy filling.
- Prepare the Strawberry Syrup: Mix the prepared strawberry jam with the strawberry liqueur (or your choice of strawberry juice, orange juice, or Grand Marnier) to create the soaking syrup for the ladyfingers.
- Assemble the Tiramisu: Quickly dip each ladyfinger cookie into the strawberry syrup, making sure not to saturate them too much. Arrange a layer of soaked ladyfingers in the bottom of a serving pan. Spread half of the mascarpone filling evenly over the ladyfingers. Drizzle with additional strawberry jam and sprinkle with chopped strawberries. Repeat the layering with the remaining ladyfingers, mascarpone filling, jam, and chopped strawberries. Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
- Before Serving: Whip ½ cup heavy cream to soft peaks. Pulse the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor to create a fine powder. Sift this powder over the top of the tiramisu for a vibrant, crunchy garnish. Dollop or pipe the whipped cream on top and garnish with fresh strawberries as desired. Serve chilled.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute strawberry liqueur with strawberry juice or orange juice.
- Ensure ladyfingers are dipped quickly in syrup to avoid sogginess.
- Chilling overnight enhances the flavors and texture.
- Freeze-dried strawberries provide a crunchy and colorful garnish, but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
