Description
This Strawberry Tiramisu is a delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert, featuring layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone mixture, and fresh, macerated strawberries enhanced with orange liqueur. It’s a no-bake, chilled dessert perfect for spring and summer gatherings or anytime you crave a light yet indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Strawberry Mixture
- 1 pound strawberries, washed, hulled, and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur
Mascarpone Cream
- 1 cup Mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assembly
- 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled
- 24 ladyfinger cookies
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Wash and hull the strawberries, then slice them thinly to ensure they release their natural sweetness and blend well with the sugar and liqueur.
- Macerate Strawberries: In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with sugar and orange liqueur. Stir well to coat evenly and let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the strawberries to release juice.
- Make Mascarpone Cream: In a separate bowl, whisk together the Mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth, creamy, and slightly thickened—this will give the tiramisu its rich texture.
- Soak Ladyfingers: Dip each ladyfinger cookie briefly into the brewed coffee, making sure they are soaked through but still firm so they hold their shape during assembly.
- Layer Ladyfingers: Arrange half of the soaked ladyfingers in the bottom of a 9×9 inch dish, creating an even base layer for the dessert.
- Spread Mascarpone Mixture: Evenly spread half of the mascarpone cream over the layer of ladyfingers, smoothing it out gently.
- Add Strawberries: Spread half of the macerated strawberry mixture, including some of the syrup, evenly over the mascarpone layer for a fresh fruity layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and strawberries to build a second tier.
- Chill the Dessert: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to let the flavors mingle and the dessert set properly.
- Garnish Before Serving: Just before serving, garnish the top with fresh sliced strawberries for an attractive and fresh finish.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve chilled and enjoy the creamy, fruity, and coffee-infused layers of this refreshing Strawberry Tiramisu.
Notes
- Make sure the ladyfingers are dipped quickly to avoid them becoming soggy and falling apart.
- This recipe can be made a day ahead, which allows the flavors to develop and makes for easy entertaining.
- Orange liqueur adds a subtle citrus flavor, but you can substitute it with orange juice or omit it for a non-alcoholic version.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with whipped coconut cream to make it dairy-free and vegan-friendly, but mascarpone would need to be replaced accordingly.
