Strawberry tiramisu

5 hours 30 min
Cooking time 30 min
Dessert
Strawberry tiramisu

Experience a bright, summery twist on the Italian classic with our easy strawberry tiramisu recipe. It presents ladyfingers soaked in a strawberry-citrus sauce, layered with a lush mascarpone cream and plenty of fresh berries. Effortless to assemble and completely no-bake, it is the perfect make-ahead dessert for dinner parties, summer gatherings, and every occasion in between.

New recipe

Ingredients

Ladyfingers
200 g

Strawberry sauce

Strawberries
400 g
Sugar
2 tbsp
Lemon juice
2 tbsp
Orange juice
50 - 100 ml

Mascarpone cream

Mascarpone
500 g
Double cream
250 ml
Vanilla extract
2 tsp
Icing sugar
3 tbsp
Strawberries
200 g

To serve

Strawberries
200 g
Fresh mint (optional)
Icing sugar (optional)

Instructions

Strawberry tiramisu
Watch the recipe🍽️

Strawberry sauce

  • Rinse the strawberries and place ⅔ of them in a small blender or food processor.
  • Add sugar, lemon juice, and 50 ml of orange juice. Blend until the sauce is even. It should be thin enough for the ladyfingers to soak briefly and absorb the liquid.
  • Adjust with the remaining orange juice as needed, depending on how much liquid the strawberries release.

Mascarpone cream

  • Beat mascarpone, vanilla sugar, and icing sugar with a hand mixer.
  • In another bowl, whip the cream lightly.
  • Fold the lightly whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until you have a smooth, airy cream.
  • Rinse the strawberries and cut them into small cubes. Fold them into the cream.

Assembling

  • Briefly dip the ladyfingers in the strawberry sauce and arrange them in one layer in a dish.
  • Spread a layer of mascarpone cream on top.
  • Repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers, then finish with a final layer of mascarpone cream.
  • Chill for at least 5 hours, preferably overnight.

To serve

  • Cut the strawberries into halves or quarters and arrange them over the top before serving.
  • Optionally, sprinkle with fresh mint and icing sugar.

Recipe tips

It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes

Go for strawberries that are vibrant red all over, as this usually means they have ripened properly. They should feel firm but not hard, with a natural shine and no signs of bruising or soft spots. A sweet, fragrant aroma is always a good sign that they are full of flavour and ready for your tiramisu.

Mascarpone and double cream can split quite easily and turn grainy if handled too roughly. Mix the mascarpone gently until it is smooth and loosened, stopping as soon as it comes together. Whip the cream only to soft peaks – it will firm up further later. When combining the two, fold slowly with a spatula, lifting from the bottom to keep the mixture smooth and airy.

While this strawberry tiramisu is set and ready to serve after about 5 hours, leaving it in the fridge overnight will improve the texture. This extra time allows the layers to settle, the ladyfingers to fully absorb the strawberry sauce, and the mascarpone cream to firm up, resulting in much cleaner slices. Just remember to cover the dish with cling film before placing it in the fridge to avoid the surface drying out.

You do not need to make one big tiramisu. Assemble individual portions in clear glasses to show off the layers of berries and cream. It looks impressive on the table and makes serving a breeze when everyone can just grab their own delicious glass and enjoy.

FAQ: Questions about strawberry tiramisu

Even a simple dessert like strawberry tiramisu can have its little secrets. We have addressed the most frequent questions below so you can prepare with confidence, knowing exactly how to handle any kitchen dilemmas that might pop up along the way.

What type of ladyfingers should I use for strawberry tiramisu?

Use traditional savoiardi ladyfingers for your strawberry tiramisu. Their firm and dry texture works best for layering. They absorb the liquid while still holding their shape, giving you defined layers. Softer, sponge-style versions tend to break down too quickly and lose their structure.

Does strawberry tiramisu have coffee?

No, our strawberry tiramisu recipe does not include coffee. Instead of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, it features ladyfingers dipped in a strawberry sauce made with strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and orange juice.

Can I use frozen strawberries for strawberry tiramisu?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries for strawberry tiramisu, especially for the sauce, as they break down easily when blended. You can either thaw them or gently heat them in a saucepan to speed things up, then let them cool completely and drain any excess liquid before using. However, we still recommend fresh strawberries for folding into the cream and for decoration.

Can I make strawberry tiramisu ahead of time?

Absolutely, strawberry tiramisu is great for making ahead of time because the extra time in the fridge improves the overall texture. You can prepare it up to one day in advance.

What if my strawberry sauce is too thick?

If your strawberry sauce is too thick, stir in a little more orange juice until it reaches a thinner, pourable consistency. The sauce should be light enough for the ladyfingers to absorb it within a few seconds. Add the orange juice gradually so it does not become too watery.

Nutritional values per serving

Energy:

660 Kcal

Energy distribution % Nutritional values per serving
Fibre - 2.5 g
Protein 7.6 % 12.4 g
Fat 59.4 % 44.3 g
Carbohydrates 33 % 53.7 g

Delight with a lovely, layered strawberry tiramisu

Want to bring a little joy to the table at your next gathering? This strawberry tiramisu has you covered. It never fails to impress with two stunning layers of sauce-soaked ladyfingers, a lush mascarpone cream studded with fresh strawberry pieces, and a glorious crown of strawberries. Serve it to your guests and watch the smiles appear before they have even taken a bite.

Love tiramisu? So do we, which is why we have a whole collection. Go back to basics with our classic tiramisù and lactose-free tiramisu, try a nutty version with our pistachio tiramisu, or keep it light with a yoghurt tiramisu with cream.

Tender ladyfingers dipped in strawberry sauce

While a traditional tiramisu relies on a dark espresso soak for the ladyfingers, we have opted for a vibrant, homemade strawberry sauce. The berries are blended into a luscious purée and infused with a duo of citrus. Sharp, tart lemon juice and sweet, floral notes of orange juice work together to amplify the natural strawberry flavour, creating a balance where the tartness cuts through the sugar and the citrus oils lift the aroma of the fruit.

The ladyfingers themselves bring a subtle vanilla sweetness, serving as the perfect canvas for these bright flavours. As the dry, airy biscuits hit the sauce, they act like sponges, transforming from brittle and crunchy to incredibly moist and tender.

Whipped mascarpone cream with fresh strawberries

No tiramisu works without its mascarpone cream, and ours is nothing short of dreamy. Mascarpone and lightly whipped double cream are folded with vanilla sugar and icing sugar until the mixture is delicately sweet, smooth, and airy. For an extra hit of strawberry, we fold small pieces of fresh fruit directly into the cream, giving it little surprises of juiciness throughout.

Enjoy a delicious no-bake spring and summer dessert

What makes this strawberry tiramisu such a reliable favourite for spring and summer is how little it demands of you. There is no oven to preheat, no temperature to monitor, and no last-minute assembly.

And when strawberries are in season and the days are long and warm, a cool, creamy tiramisu is one of the most satisfying things you can put on the table. Refreshing, indulgent, and easy to make, it is perfectly suited to the season.

Make it the night before, wrap it up, and let the fridge do all the work while you relax and get your sleep. Come the next day, you have a dessert that looks impressive, tastes extraordinary, and suits any occasion you care to name, whether that is a garden party, a birthday dinner, or a long summer evening with good company.

Try creative variations and serving tips

Consider this strawberry tiramisu your invitation to get creative. Want a more pronounced strawberry flavour? Spread a thin layer of strawberry jam over the ladyfingers before layering, or stir in a spoonful or two into the mascarpone cream for an extra fruity kick.

If you want more texture, adding nuts is a fantastic way to introduce crunch. Finely chopped pistachios are a classic choice, offering a vibrant green contrast to the red berries, while toasted almonds provide a firmer, more rustic bite. Simply sprinkle them between the layers and over the top.

Chocolate lovers can easily elevate the richness by folding white chocolate shavings into the mascarpone cream. As it sits, the chocolate softens slightly into the cream, creating little pockets of sweet creaminess. Also, shave a generous amount over the final layer to add a beautiful, snowy finish.

Made it this far and still thinking about strawberries? Dive into our articles on cleaning, storing, and freezing strawberries before you start your cooking adventure to make sure you have all the information you need. Then, head over to our strawberry recipes and strawberry dessert recipes for more ideas.

https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/strawberry-tiramisu/