Strawberry Tiramisu

Strawberry Tiramisu transforms the beloved Italian dessert into a light, summery delight. Instead of coffee and cocoa, this version highlights the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries, layered with mascarpone cream and delicately soaked sponge fingers. It’s easy to prepare and requires no baking, making it perfect for warm-weather gatherings. Best of all, it’s alcohol-free and coffee-free, meaning everyone can enjoy it.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Getting the Cream Just Right
• The Importance of Using Ripe Strawberries
• How to Layer Strawberry Tiramisu 
• Making Strawberry Tiramisu in Advance
• Variations to Try
• More Sweet Treats

Ingredient Breakdown

• Strawberries: Fresh and ripe, they add natural sweetness while bringing vibrant colour.
• White granulated sugar: Enhances the strawberries’ flavour and sweetens the cream.
• Lemon juice: Balances sweetness while intensifying the strawberry taste.
• Water: Thins out the strawberry mixture for soaking the sponge fingers.
• Egg: Creates a light and fluffy texture in the cream mixture.
• Mascarpone: Provides the signature richness and creaminess.
• Double cream: Whips up into a thick, luscious consistency.
• Vanilla bean paste: Adds depth of flavour with warm, aromatic notes.
• Sponge fingers: Soak up the strawberry juice while maintaining structure.

Getting the Cream Just Right

One of the defining features of a good tiramisu is the cream mixture. In Strawberry Tiramisu, achieving the perfect consistency is key. The mascarpone provides richness, but without proper mixing, it can become too dense. To prevent this, the egg and sugar should be whisked first to create a light, foamy base. Once the mascarpone is added, it should be incorporated gently to maintain the airy texture.

Whipping the double cream separately before folding it in can also help prevent the mixture from becoming too stiff. This ensures a smooth, velvety texture that contrasts beautifully with the soaked sponge fingers. Using vanilla bean paste instead of extract enhances the depth of flavour, creating a well-rounded cream mixture that complements the strawberries rather than overpowering them.

The Importance of Using Ripe Strawberries

The success of Strawberry Tiramisu depends on the quality of the fruit. Ripe strawberries bring natural sweetness and a deep, fragrant flavour. If the strawberries are underripe, they can taste too tart, requiring additional sugar to balance the acidity. When selecting strawberries, look for ones that are bright red with no white or green patches near the stem. They should be firm but not hard, with a noticeable aroma.

If strawberries are out of season, frozen ones can be used, but they must be thawed and drained thoroughly. Excess water from frozen strawberries can dilute the flavour and make the sponge fingers overly soggy. To enhance the fruitiness, mix a small amount of strawberry jam into the juice mixture before soaking the sponge fingers. This intensifies the strawberry flavour and ensures a consistent level of sweetness throughout the dessert.

How to Layer Strawberry Tiramisu

Layering is a crucial step in assembling Strawberry Tiramisu. The first layer of sponge fingers should be dipped in the strawberry juice just long enough to absorb the flavour without becoming too soft. If left in the liquid for too long, they will break apart and create a mushy base. A quick dip ensures the perfect balance of flavour and texture.

The mascarpone cream should be spread evenly over the sponge fingers, creating a smooth layer that contrasts with the slightly chewy texture of the soaked biscuits. Adding a layer of thinly sliced strawberries between the cream layers enhances the fruity flavour and introduces a slight bite. The final top layer of cream should be thick enough to hold its shape when refrigerated, creating a luxurious finish.

For the best results, Strawberry Tiramisu should be left to chill for at least 8 hours. This allows the flavours to meld together and gives the sponge fingers time to fully absorb the strawberry juice. The longer it sits, the better the flavour develops.

Making Strawberry Tiramisu in Advance

One of the best things about Strawberry Tiramisu is that you can be prepare it in advance. Since it needs time to chill, it’s the perfect dessert for hosting. You can be make it the night before and store it in the fridge until ready to serve. The resting time allows the layers to fully develop, resulting in a more flavourful and well-structured dessert.

If making the tiramisu ahead of time, wait until just before serving to add the final layer of sliced strawberries. This prevents the fruit from releasing excess moisture into the cream. If storing for longer than 24 hours, cover the dish tightly with cling film to prevent the top from drying out.

Variations to Try

While the classic Strawberry Tiramisu is delicious as it is, there are plenty of ways to customise it to suit different tastes. Here are a few ideas:

• Berry Blend: Replace half the strawberries with raspberries or blueberries for a more complex berry flavour.
• Chocolate Twist: Add a layer of finely grated white chocolate between the cream layers for a richer dessert.
• Citrus Infusion: Mix a little orange or lime zest into the mascarpone cream for a bright, tangy contrast.
• Boozy Upgrade: If making for adults, add a splash of limoncello or strawberry liqueur to the strawberry juice for a subtle kick.

More Sweet Treats

If this Strawberry Tiramisu has set off your sweet tooth, then worry not! Here are some more sweet recipes for you to try:

• Maple Cinnamon Baked Peaches: These 5-ingredient Maple Cinnamon Baked Peaches are an absolute treat. Sweet, juicy peaches are halved and drizzled with a maple-cinnamon glaze, before being baked to golden perfection. 
• Strawberry and Elderflower Galette: This easy galette is the perfect sweet treat or dessert, combining the summery sweetness of strawberries with the subtle flavour of elderflower.
• Snickers Chocolate Chip Cookies: Chewy chocolate chip cookies loaded with Snickers and dark chocolate. Need I say anything else?
• Classic Tiramisu: This Classic Tiramisu recipe captures the essence of this traditional Italian delight. With its layers of coffee-soaked Savoiardi biscuits, velvety mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cocoa powder, it offers a rich, satisfying experience. 
• Strawberry and Ricotta Tart: Few desserts capture the essence of summer like a Strawberry and Ricotta Tart. This simple yet elegant treat combines crisp, golden pastry with creamy ricotta and a luscious strawberry topping. 

See how I make these recipes and more over on my Instagram!