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caramel tiramisu recipe

Caramel Tiramisu

This is a modern twist on the classic Italian tiramisu, featuring rich espresso-soaked ladyfingers, a creamy mascarpone mixture, and homemade salted caramel sauce. The sweet and salty layers come together for a decadent dessert that’s easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian, American (with a twist)
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

  • 3 shots 1.5 cups of fresh espresso (cooled to room temperature)
  • 200-350 grams of Savoiardi biscuits ladyfingers
  • 250 grams mascarpone cheese or ricotta for a lighter texture
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons icing sugar
  • ¼ cup homemade salted caramel sauce or store-bought
  • 1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder for dusting
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur like Kahlúa
  • Optional: 1-2 tablespoons chocolate liqueur or amaretto for flavor enhancement

Method
 

Prepare the Espresso:
  1. Brew 3 shots of espresso (1.5 cups) and let it cool completely to room temperature.
Make the Caramel Sauce (if homemade):
  1. In a heavy-bottomed pan, melt granulated sugar over medium heat, without stirring, until it turns amber. Remove from heat and add cream and butter, stirring until smooth. Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Let the caramel cool to room temperature.
Whip the Cream:
  1. In a chilled bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy cream with 3 tablespoons of icing sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until soft peaks form. Gradually incorporate ¼ cup of caramel sauce and whip for 5-8 minutes until stiff peaks form.
Mix the Mascarpone:
  1. In a separate bowl, combine 250 grams of mascarpone cheese with the whipped cream mixture. Stir until fully blended.
Assemble the Tiramisu:
  1. Quickly dip each Savoiardi biscuit into the cooled espresso for 1-2 seconds per side. Arrange the dipped biscuits in a serving dish (or individual glasses). Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the biscuits.
Add Caramel:
  1. Drizzle a portion of the caramel sauce over the cream layer. Repeat the layers: biscuits, cream, and caramel, ensuring the final layer is the cream mixture.
Chill the Dessert:
  1. Refrigerate the tiramisu for at least 4 hours, but ideally 24 hours, to allow the flavors to meld together and the cream to set.
Serve:
  1. Before serving, dust the tiramisu with cocoa powder and optionally, top with grated chocolate. Serve chilled.

Notes

  • Make sure to dip the ladyfingers quickly in the coffee, as over-soaking will make them soggy.
  • Allowing the dessert to chill overnight will improve the flavor and texture.
  • You can make this dessert ahead of time, which makes it great for parties and gatherings.