Put a fun twist on classic easy tiramisu with this chocolate tiramisu recipe! Decadent and egg-free, you can whip it up in just 15 minutes for a delicious dessert that’s sure to impress.
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What is Tiramisu?
Tiramisu is a classic coffee-flavored Italian dessert. It is made by soaking lady fingers in a mixture of coffee and brandy. Then, layering the cookies with a mascarpone filing made with eggs and sugar. Finished with a thick coating of cocoa powder on top, it’s impressive in appearance and irresistible in taste.
Why You’ll Love This No-Bake Chocolate Tiramisu
Like our easy tiramisu, we love that this chocolate tiramisu recipe is so easy to put together. You assemble the ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate the dish overnight. This allows the ladyfingers plenty of time to soak up all of the coffee. Our version has no brandy, but feel free to add it if you prefer.
Traditionally tiramisu is made by separating the eggs and whipping both the yolks and egg whites with granulated sugar. Then, you fold both mixtures with mascarpone cheese to get a nice and decadent filling. Our recipe cuts all of these steps out — plus, not everyone enjoys the idea of eating raw eggs.
As a result, it’s much faster to make and even more delicious!
Ingredients to Make Chocolate Tiramisu without Eggs
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this chocolate tiramisu recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Heavy Cream – Make sure it’s cold for the best results!
- Mascarpone Cheese – If you can’t find mascarpone in your local grocery store, you can swap store-bought options for homemade mascarpone cheese.
- Granulated Sugar – Do not substitute a different sugar!
- Chilled Brewed Espresso – Strong brewed coffee or even coffee liqueur will also work.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Use special dark chocolate cocoa or regular cocoa powder.
- Vanilla Extract – Use high-quality pure vanilla extract, not imitation varieties.
- Lady Fingers – These are a type of sponge cake biscuit.
- Half and Half – Make sure it’s cold!
How to Make This Easy Chocolate Tiramisu Recipe
- Mascarpone Filling. In a large bowl combine the cold heavy cream, mascarpone cheese, coffee, and sugar. Beat until medium-stiff peaks. The mixture will be light, fluffy, and airy.
- Coffee. Brew the instant espresso or strong coffee. While the coffee is hot, add sugar. Then, stir until it dissolves. Add the cold half and half to cool it down to room temperature.
- Assembly. Dip each ladyfinger in the sweetened espresso. Arrange in a 9×9 baking dish. Add half of the mascarpone cream mixture. Repeat another layer, ending with the mascarpone cream.
- Refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Cocoa Powder. Before serving dust with a nice thick layer of cocoa powder or garnish with chocolate shavings.
Substitutions and variations
- Chocolate. Omit the cocoa powder completely, or replace it with cinnamon or nutmeg for a unique taste.
- Mascarpone. If you can’t find mascarpone, you can substitute it with cream cheese. Just note that it will have a slight “cheesecake” texture and flavor!
- Ladyfingers. If you can’t find ladyfingers, use sponge cake or shortbread cookies instead. Just be careful not to soak them too long, or they’re likely to crumble!
Common Questions about Easy Chocolate Tiramisu
Yes, this recipe gets better and better the longer it sits! Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Or, freeze the tiramisu without the cocoa powder topping for up to 3 months! To do so, wrap it tightly with saran wrap followed by aluminum foil. Then, thaw in the fridge, add a dusting of cocoa powder topping, and enjoy!
Absolutely! You can use dairy-free alternatives like soy milk, coconut milk, or oat milk for the cream. Vegan ladyfingers are also available online or you can make them at home.
To make your Tiramisu extra chocolatey, you can add chocolate chips or more cocoa powder to the cream filling. You can also drizzle chocolate sauce over the top before serving.
Yes! Simply double all the ingredients, and use a 9×13 baking dish.
Easy Chocolate Tiramisu Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold heavy cream
- 12 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup chilled espresso or strong brewed coffee
- 2 Tablespoons cold brewed espresso
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetend cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 14 ounces lady fingers
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup half and half
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, mascarpone, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tbsp espresso, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Beat until stiff peaks.2 cups cold heavy cream, 12 ounces mascarpone cheese, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup chilled espresso or strong brewed coffee, 2 Tablespoons cold brewed espresso, 2 Tablespoons unsweetend cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- In a small deep bowl add 3/4 cup espresso, half and half, and 2 tbsp sugar. Mix until sugar is dissolved. *Tip: When espresso is warm, add sugar to dissolve faster.1/4 cup half and half, 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- Dip each lady finger in the espresso mixture and place in a 9×9 baking dish. Spoon a few tablespoons of espresso mixture over the lady fingers just to make sure they are soaked well. Add half of the mascarpone whipped cream. Repeat layer. Refrigerate overnight.14 ounces lady fingers
- Top with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder.
Equipment
Notes
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze this chocolate tiramisu without the cocoa powder topping for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, add the cocoa powder, and serve.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
hey girls 😁, where is the chocolate in this recipe?
thanks
Hi! There’s cocoa powder in the mascarpone mixture and dusted on top. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Hi there, what is half and half in your ingredients? sorry may sound Silly but in our part of the world (UK) we haven’t got half and half.
Not silly at all! Half & Half is just half milk and half cream.
Can I use cream cheese rather than mascarpone? If so, 12 oz?
Absolutely! It will have more of a cheesecake flavor/texture!