Tiramisu without Alcohol

Add this easy, no-bake Tiramisu without alcohol to your family’s dessert rotation! Filled with rich flavors and layers of coffee-soaked ladyfinger biscuits, whipped mascarpone cream, and cocoa. It’s sure to impress!

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How to make Tiramisu without alcohol

Tiramisu, a classic Italian dessert, typically is made with Marsala Wine. I make this recipe with no alcohol so my whole family can enjoy it. This is not a classic traditional tiramisu recipe by any means. It is an easy recipe to put together that my family loves. One of the best things I like about it is the lack of alcohol so even my littles can enjoy it!

I often make this delicious dessert. (Cake?) for my husband on his Birthday. Seriously though, Is Tiramisu a cake or not? Either way, made up of two of my favorite things, Coffee & Cocoa.

Enjoy this easy Tiramisu recipe without alcohol, and if you must, add a coffee liquor, marsala wine, or dark rum to the coffee mixture and/or the mascarpone cream mixture.

Gathering your ingredients:

Brewed strong coffee or espresso – If using instant espresso powder, follow directions on the container to achieve the best results. If you have flavored coffee that works too! I always drink hazelnut coffee, so this is what I used. Instant coffee works just as well.

Granulated white sugar

Large Egg yolks – Large eggs, they don’t have to be at room temperature, as we are tempering/cooking the yolks. We do not need the egg whites for this recipe.

** You CAN freeze egg whites for future use if you choose. I love using Souper Cubes for this!

Heavy whipping cream, cold – Make sure to use a full-fat heavy whipping cream and that it is very cold before using.

Mascarpone cheese, room temperature – Mascarpone cheese is going to give the most authentic Tiramisu flavor. If necessary, you can substitute softened cream cheese.

Ladyfingers or Savoiardi biscuits – You should be able to buy these ladyfinger cookies at your local grocery stores. If you can’t, be sure to check out my Ladyfingers recipe. That recipe will make roughly 30 ladyfingers, perfect for this recipe.

Sifted cocoa powder – I love to use Ghiradelli dutch processed cocoa powder. Rich in color and flavor.

*see recipe card for detailed measurements

Kitchen supplies you’ll need

• Mixing bowls
• Saucepan
• Electric mixer with the whisk attachment
• Hand whisk
• 8-inch baking dish, or one of a similar size
• Large spoon
• Sifter
• Plastic wrap

Mix it, Layer it, & Eat it!

Coffee syrup

In a small bowl add brewed coffee or espresso and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Whisk until sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool

Filling

Using the double boiler method (place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water)

Place the egg yolks and sugar in the heatproof bowl on the saucepan of simmering water over medium heat. Don’t allow the water to boil, just simmer below the bowl.

The most classic Tiramisu cake recipe calls for raw eggs, in this recipe we are tempering the raw egg yolks or heating the yolks to a safe temperature before mixing them in.

Whisk using a hand whisk or a hand mixer on medium speed whisk until the egg mixture reaches a thick and foamy consistency and is hot to the touch. The egg mixture will appear a pale yellow color.

Remove from heat to cool for about 15 minutes.

In a large bowl with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer bowl with the whisk attachment, whisk heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

After the egg yolk mixture has cooled, add mascarpone or cream cheese. Whisk until incorporated and smooth.

In 2 batches, gently fold in the whipped cream until smooth.

Assembly

Dip the ladyfinger cookies very quickly in the coffee syrup. Less than a second, not any longer or they’ll end up too soggy. The sponge cake fingers have such a light texture, they’ll absorb the coffee very quickly.

Layer the coffee soaked lady fingers in an 8-baking dish or a similar-sized dish of your choosing. I am using a deep pie pan in this recipe.

Spoon half of the mascarpone cheese mixture onto the lady finger cookies and spread out until smooth.

Repeat the process for the second layer and top layer. Dip quickly into the instant coffee concoction.

Place the coffee soaked ladyfingers on top of the creamy filling. Once again,

Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

Right before serving, dust the top with cocoa powder. Cut and serve cold.

This is not a classic tiramisu recipe by any means. It is an easy recipe to put together that my family loves. One of the best things I like about it is the lack of alcohol so even my littles can enjoy it!

Storage Suggestions for a Tiramisu Without Alcohol

Store your prepared Tiramisu recipe covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Freezing tiramisu: If you’d like to freeze, before adding the cocoa powder on top keep tightly wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months. Do note that freezing may alter the texture of the dessert after thawing.

Can I make alcohol free tiramisu ahead of time? Make this tiramisu recipe 2 or 3 days before serving. Keep covered tightly while chilling in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Expert Tips

• Make sure ingredients that need to be at room temperature are set out at LEAST 30 minutes before preparing the recipe.
• You can use any brewed coffee, flavored or decaf works as well. If you don’t typically make coffee at home, buy a bottle of cold brew coffee or a container of instant coffee.
• Adding a coffee liquor, marsala wine, or dark rum to the coffee mixture and/or the mascarpone cream mixture would add additional flavor.
• Mascarpone cheese – Substitute cream cheese that is softened and full-fat.
• Heavy whipping cream alternative – I have tried this recipe with a coconut heavy cream alternative. While it works, I’d suggest doubling the amount needed. The coconut cream almost comes pre-whipped so it doesn’t really whip up more. Also because coconut melts at room temperature, place it into the fridge right after assembly so the coconut oils can firm up.

Tools I use

Ladyfinger cookies

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Espresso powder

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Cocoa powder

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