Sweet Zesty Layered Cherry Tiramisu with Fresh Fruit
Dessert
Cherry Tiramisu is a fresh take on a classic dessert, bringing a bright, fruity contrast to the traditional coffee and cream layers. The sweetness of ripe cherries paired with a light tang from lemon creates a flavor that feels both rich and refreshing at the same time.
Instead of relying only on cocoa and coffee, this version introduces a vibrant cherry layer that cuts through the mascarpone cream beautifully. Each bite gives you soft, soaked ladyfingers, silky cream, and bursts of juicy cherries balanced, not overly heavy.
It’s a great dessert to prepare ahead, since chilling overnight allows all the layers to settle and the flavors to fully develop. The result is clean slices, a creamy texture, and a dessert that feels elegant but still comforting.
Cherry Tiramisu
Ingredients
Cherry Sauce
- 500 g cherries (pitted)
- 80 g granulated sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Tiramisu Cream
- 250 g mascarpone cheese
- 30 g granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 250 g whipping cream
Coffee Soak
- 200 g warm milk
- 2 g coffee powder
Ladyfingers
- 4 eggs
- 35 g granulated sugar
- 65 g cake flour
- 5 g cornstarch
- 3 g lemon juice
- 30 g powdered sugar
Extra
- 500 g cherries (halved, for layering)
Instructions
1. Make the Ladyfingers
- Preheat oven to 170°C.
- Beat egg whites with lemon juice and sugar until soft peaks form.
- In another bowl, whisk egg yolks until pale.
- Gently fold yolks into whites.
- Sift in cake flour and cornstarch, fold until just combined.
- Transfer to a piping bag and pipe strips onto lined trays.
- Dust with powdered sugar and bake for about 20 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely.
2. Prepare the Cherry Sauce
- Cook pitted cherries with sugar and lemon juice over medium heat until soft.
- Blend into a smooth purée.
- Let it cool completely before using.
3. Make the Tiramisu Cream
- Whisk egg yolks with sugar until thick, pale, and slightly fluffy.
- Add mascarpone and mix until smooth.
- Pour in whipping cream and beat until the mixture thickens to a soft, creamy consistency.
- Transfer into a piping bag for easier assembly.
4. Prepare the Coffee Soak
- Mix warm milk with coffee powder until dissolved.
5. Assemble
- Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture.
- Arrange a layer at the bottom of your dish.
- Pipe a layer of mascarpone cream on top.
- Add another layer of soaked ladyfingers.
- Spread a layer of cherry sauce evenly.
- Add halved fresh cherries.
- Pipe more cream on top and smooth the surface.
- Finish with more cherry sauce and cherries.
6. Chill
- Refrigerate overnight for the best texture and flavor.
When ready to serve, you’ll get soft, creamy layers with a balance of coffee depth and fruity brightness. It’s lighter than a classic tiramisu, but still rich enough to feel like a proper dessert.