Stunning Chocolate Tiramisu {No Mascarpone, No Alcohol, No Eggs, No Bake}

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This amazingly smooth Chocolate Tiramisu uses no mascarpone, no alcohol, and no eggs–all while gaining the most amazing flavor mix of cream, mocha, and chocolate with its chocolate ganache topping. A flavor heavenly enough to win even the hearts of coffee haters!

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Where Did Tiramisu Originate?

These days, tiramisu is ubiquitous in cafes all over the world. But, of course, like any other food, this delicious dessert had a place of origin. According to Accademia del Tiramisu, that pinpoint on the map was Treviso, Italy.

And while there are some disputed legends that surround the origin of tiramisu (some rather unsavory, to say the least), there are some things that cannot be disputed:

1. Some people love tiramisu.
2. Other people find it too bitter…too tart…too coffee-y.

Tiramisu Recipe for Coffee Haters

Confession time: I normally turn down tiramisu.

The key word in that sentence is “normally.”

When you try enough recipes, though, you learn along the way that there is someway to fix even a dreaded food to make it appeal to you–you just have to keep trying and tweaking recipes here and there.

Tiramisu is one of those foods for me. It was horrible as a kid, okay-ish as a college student, and now voila!stunningly delicious as an adult.

What made the difference? (Well, besides developing more refined taste buds.)

Cocoa powder, cream cheese, and chocolate ganache.

Tiramisu Recipe No Mascarpone

One of the key ingredients in the layers of a chocolate tiramisu cake is cheese–yes, cheese. But think something less akin to cheddar and more similar to cream cheese: mascarpone. Light, fluffy, and a bit tart, this cheese accentuates the coffee and adds pillowy softness to the lady finger cookies.

It also is not everyone’s favorite flavor.

While it might not be the traditional way to whip up chocolate tiramisu, cream cheese makes for an excellent substitute for mascarpone cheese (which often tends to be more expensive and harder to find).

What Can I Use Instead of Mascarpone in Tiramisu?

If you wish to find a substitute for mascarpone cheese in a homemade tiramisu recipe, then grab a package of cream cheese. Cream cheese–when whipped together with whipping cream–holds well-nigh the same texture as mascarpone and even bests the flavor (in my opinion).

Can You Use Cream Cheese Instead of Mascarpone?

Let me emphasize this point again: Cream cheese is a suitable substitute for mascarpone in a Chocolate Tiramisu Cake recipe with no mascarpone. The texture and flavor will not suffer. In fact, some people (for various reasons) find cream cheese preferable to mascarpone.

So you people who hate on tiramisu because of the mascarpone cheese? No excuses anymore. 🙂

Tiramisu Recipe No Eggs

Another common concern (or turn-off, if you will) with tiramisu recipes is that they call for raw egg. And there is valid reason to be vigilant about consuming uncooked eggs. However, some traditional desserts (such as eggnog) also pair raw egg with a bit of alcohol, with hardly a problem. If you want to be entirely safe, then use a tiramisu recipe without eggs. It’s an easy ingredient to skip.

Tiramisu Recipe No Alcohol

Whether you avoid alcohol for personal or religious reasons or you simply don’t enjoy the taste, take comfort in the fact that you don’t need to miss out on tiramisu. This Chocolate Tiramisu Recipe without Alcohol is your chance to indulge in tiramisu without the traditional inclusion of fermented drink.

Non-Alcoholic Substitute for Rum in Tiramisu

Traditional tiramisu recipes call for rum. However, including alcohol in your Chocolate Tiramisu Recipe is totally optional. To avoid losing flavor, substitute the rum with a little bit of espresso or cocoa powder.

Tiramisu Recipe No Bake

Many tiramisu recipes are no-bake tiramisu recipes. In fact, if you try to bake tiramisu, you will effectively ruin it. The layers of cheese, soaked lady finger cookies, and chocolate would goo together in an unappetizing mass rather than forming distinct layers.

This No-Bake Tiramisu Recipe provides you with all the steps to know that you are truly on the path to success with your dessert. No baking required. 🙂

Chocolate Tiramisu No Mascarpone Recipe Ingredients

Understandably, original tiramisu is distinctly Italian in its blend of cheese, chocolate, alcohol, and coffee. But you don’t need all of these in order to make a great-tasting tiramisu. Here are the ingredients for our modified version of Chocolate Tiramisu:

Cream Layer:

• 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

Assembly:

• 1 cup coffee (can be extra-strong instant coffee mixed with boiling water, if necessary)
• 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 30 Lady fingers cookies

Chocolate Ganache:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Topping:

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• cocoa powder (for dusting)

How to Make Chocolate Tiramisu Recipe

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together the sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not too beat too much or the cream will start to turn into butter.
2. Slice the softened cream cheese into small cubes. Gently whisk into the heavy cream mixture until well combined.
3. Butter a 9×9-inch baking dish, covering the bottom and sides.
4. In a shallow bowl, mix together the cup of coffee, tablespoon of cocoa powder, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract with a whisk until well mixed.
5. One by one, dip each of the lady finger cookies in the coffee mixture, turning to cover both sides.
6. Lay down a layer of lady fingers on the bottom of the pan, completely covering the bottom without overlapping the cookies. (You should use about ten lady fingers.)
7. Scoop half of the cream mixture on top of the lady fingers and spread gently with a spatula until all the cookies are covered.
8. Lay down another layer of lady fingers (again, approximately ten cookies), then spread the rest of the cream mixture on top. Finish with a final layer of the lady fingers.
9. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream for the topping over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edges. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips until smooth and completely combined. Cool slightly. Pour over the top layer of lady fingers in the pan, making sure to evenly cover the entire top.
10. Cover the pan and place in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
11. The day that you will serve the cake, mix up the topping. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar until soft peaks form. Spoon into an icing piping bag (or a plastic Ziplock bag with a corner snipped off). Pipe dots all over the top of the tiramisu cake.
12. Pour cocoa powder into a sieve and sift over the top of the tiramisu cake to coat with a layer of chocolate powder.
13. Return the tiramisu to the fridge until immediately before ready to serve.
14. Enjoy!

Tips for Making Chocolate Tiramisu

• Try baking your own Lady Finger cookies to use in this recipe! The texture of the cake is much softer immediately, so you could technically chow down on it right away (though the refrigeration time guarantees richer flavor).
• Use your best chocolate for the chocolate ganache! It really steals the show and makes this Chocolate Tiramisu so smooth and flavorful.
• Decorate the top! Tiramisu is a dramatic dessert. Play this to the max by sifting cocoa powder on top, adding dollops of whipped cream in a pattern, and/or sprinkling with mini chocolate chips.

How to Store Chocolate Tiramisu No Mascarpone

This delicious Chocolate Tiramisu–just like any traditional tiramisu cake recipe–must be stored in the refrigerator. If kept in an airtight container, the cake can last up to three or four days, though you will likely see some deflation as the whipping cream liquifies a bit over time.

Closing Thoughts

While I cannot guarantee that everyone who tries this Chocolate Tiramisu Cake Recipe will gush with exclamations of “delicious!”, my own experience tells me that this recipe has the power to convert even tiramisu-haters.

I love to see your baked creations! Tag #thesantoscookbook on social media when you try this recipe. And don’t forget to come back to leave a review and comment.

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