Valentines Day Strawberry Tiramisu (Print version)

Elegant mascarpone and strawberry layered dessert with coffee-soaked ladyfingers chilled to perfection.

# Required ingredients:

→ Strawberry Layer

01 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ Mascarpone Cream

04 - 1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream, cold
06 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Assembly

08 - 12 ladyfinger biscuits
09 - 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled
10 - 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur, optional
11 - Fresh strawberries for garnish
12 - Mint leaves for garnish
13 - Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

# How to make it:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and lemon juice. Toss gently and let macerate for 10 minutes to release juices.
02 - In a large bowl, beat mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, whip cold heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture until fully incorporated.
03 - In a shallow dish, combine cooled brewed coffee with coffee liqueur if desired.
04 - Break ladyfingers in half if necessary to fit serving glasses. Quickly dip each piece into coffee mixture, ensuring they absorb liquid without becoming saturated.
05 - In each serving glass, layer 2-3 coffee-soaked ladyfinger pieces on the bottom. Top with mascarpone cream layer, followed by macerated strawberries. Repeat layers, ending with mascarpone cream on top.
06 - Cover cups and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours, or up to overnight, allowing flavors to fully develop and blend.
07 - Remove from refrigeration, garnish each cup with fresh strawberries, mint leaves, and a light dusting of cocoa powder.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels like you're serving restaurant-quality dessert without the stress of actual baking.
  • The combination of coffee-soaked biscuits and fresh strawberries somehow tastes more sophisticated than the individual components suggest.
  • Prep takes about twenty minutes, but you can finish everything the night before and actually enjoy your evening.
02 -
  • The mascarpone must be room temperature or the cream will turn grainy and separated—I learned this the hard way by trying to rush the process.
  • A brief dip into the coffee is truly all these ladyfingers need; oversaturated layers collapse into a mushy middle that loses all texture.
  • Whipping the cream just before you assemble keeps it light and fluffy, but if you whip it too far ahead, it starts breaking down and becomes grainy.
03 -
  • Invest in a microplane or fine sieve for the cocoa powder—it creates a professional-looking dusting that makes these look restaurant-quality.
  • If your strawberries aren't very sweet, add an extra half tablespoon of sugar to the maceration mixture and taste as you go.
  • Prepare your coffee at least thirty minutes ahead so it's completely cooled before you dip the ladyfingers.
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