Berry Tiramisu

(3)

Add loads of fresh fruit to tiramisu for a crowd-pleasing and special dessert.

Southern Living Berry Tiramisu in a casserole dish to serve with a slice cut out
Photo:

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:
25 mins
Chill Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
8 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
12

Tiramisu, the decadent Italian dessert, can also be a summer regular when berries are bountiful and the sunny weather begs for a chilled sweet.

Classic ladyfingers are layered with the summer's freshest berries and traditional mascarpone cheese to make a refreshing take on the classic dessert. The usual coffee and marsala wine swap out for a homemade berry simple syrup and your favorite fruit liqueur, lending brightness to the buzzy dessert, perfect for a picnic, backyard barbecue, or pool party.

And if you’re looking for an alternative to the ubiquitous flag cake for the 4th of July, berry tiramisu is your answer.

You'll have some leftover berry simple syrup, but don't toss it! Put it in a jelly or mason jar, and pop it in the refrigerator. It makes a lovely sauce for other desserts like a flourless chocolate torte, angel food cake, or add it to your margaritas or mojitos for a berry burst.

Make It Yours

This recipe is easy to customize with your favorite berries. We used sliced strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, but you can use any combination of fresh berry that you like.


You can also use your choice of fruit liqueur, depending on your taste or if you have something already at home. Crème de Cassis (black currant), Chambord (black raspberry), or Grand Marnier (bitter orange) are all great options.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup water

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided

  • 10 cups mixed berries (sliced strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries), divided

  • 2 Tbsp. fruit liqueur (such as Creme de Cassis, Chambord, Grand Marnier)

  • 2 (7 oz.) packages dry ladyfingers

  • 2 (8 oz.) containers mascarpone cheese

  • 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream

  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

  • 1 Tbsp. orange zest (from 1 orange)

Directions

  1. Gather your ingredients and prepare berry simple syrup:

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu ingredients

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    In a saucepan, bring water and 1/2 cup sugar to a boil, and simmer until sugar dissolves.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu making the simple syrup

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Add 4 1/2 cups of berries and fruit liqueur.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu adding the berries and liqueur to the simple syrup

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu cooking the berry simple syrup

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Remove from heat and pour through a fine mesh strainer set over a large bowl.

    Southern LIving Berry Tiramisu straining the simple syrup

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Reserve liquid and berries separately.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu strained simple syrup

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. While the berry simple syrup is simmering, macerate berries:

    Combine 4 1/2 cups of berries in a bowl with 1/4 cup sugar, toss to coat, and let sit at room temperature until you’re ready to assemble.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu letting the berries macerate at room temperature

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Prepare mascarpone mixture:

    Using an electric mixer (or you can do this by hand if you prefer), beat heavy whipping cream until slightly thickened. Add remaining 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla extract, and whip until soft peaks form.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu beating the cream until soft peaks form

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Add mascarpone and whip until stiff.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu adding the mascarpone

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  4. Assemble tiramisu:

    Dip ladyfingers in berry simple syrup, making sure they absorb some of the syrup, and line tightly along the bottom of a 9x13 pan.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu first layer of ladyfingers

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Top with the reserved strained berries and spread into an even layer.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu cooked berry layer

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over top of cooked berries.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu mascarpone layer

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Repeat ladyfinger soak and layer.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu second ladyfinger layer

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Top with fresh berries.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu fresh berry layer

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Finish with the remaining mascarpone mixture.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu final mascarpone layer

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Cover and chill for at least 8 hours or overnight.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu after chilling overnight

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

    Shortly before serving, garnish with remaining 1 cup berries.

    Southern Living Berry Tiramisu topped with fresh berries

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Related Articles