This Strawberry Tiramisu is my favorite no-bake dessert when strawberries are in season. It’s sweet, creamy, and layered with fresh berries and soft mascarpone cream. I love how it’s always a crowd-pleaser, no matter the occasion!
Jump to Recipe
Why This Recipe Works
This strawberry tiramisu is the kind of no-bake dessert I’ll make on repeat. It’s fruity, creamy, and feels extra special without much effort. Here’s why it works:
- Juicy Strawberries, Big Flavor: Like with my Fresh Strawberry Cake, I always start with ripe, sweet strawberries. Tossing them with sugar and lemon draws out all the juices, creating the perfect soak for the ladyfingers.
- Creamy Layers You’ll Love: The mascarpone whipped cream is rich, fluffy, and smooth. It’s light enough to balance the berries but still gives the tiramisu that classic, creamy finish.
- Each Layer Gets Better Overnight: This is one of those desserts that improves as it chills. The ladyfingers soak up the strawberry juice, and the layers meld into one delicious bite.
- Make-Ahead Crowd Pleaser: I love that I can make this the night before and forget about it until serving time. It’s reliable, no-fuss, and always disappears fast.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. I ❤️ hearing from you!
Ingredients
- Fresh Strawberries – Sweet and juicy strawberries are the highlight of this dessert. They’re used to make a quick sauce and layered fresh for a burst of berry flavor in every bite.
- Mascarpone Cheese – This soft, creamy cheese gives the tiramisu its signature richness. It blends beautifully with whipped cream for a smooth, velvety filling.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – When whipped to stiff peaks, it creates a light and fluffy texture that balances the richness of the mascarpone.
- Ladyfinger Biscuits – Also known as savoiardi, these crisp cookies soak up the strawberry juice just enough to soften without becoming soggy.
- Granulated Sugar and Powdered Sugar – A mix of both adds sweetness to the strawberries and the whipped cream without overpowering the dessert.
- Lemon Juice – A splash of lemon brightens the strawberries and enhances their natural flavor.
- Vanilla Extract – A hint of vanilla rounds out the cream filling and adds depth to the dessert’s flavor.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Instructions
- Make the Strawberry Sauce: Combine sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and lemon juice in a bowl. Let sit for 10–15 minutes, then lightly mash some strawberries to release their juices.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate bowl, beat heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Make the Filling: Gently fold the mascarpone into the whipped cream until smooth and creamy.
- Dip Ladyfingers: Quickly dip ladyfingers into the strawberry juice and layer them in an 8×8-inch dish.
- Layer: Spread half of the mascarpone mixture on top, followed by half of the strawberries. Repeat the layers once more.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to let the flavors meld and the ladyfingers soften. Garnish with extra strawberries and mint before serving. E
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are some of my favorite substitutions and variations:
- Fruit Variations: Strawberries are classic, but you can use raspberries, blueberries, or mixed berries. Just adjust the sugar in the sauce depending on the tartness of the fruit.
- Add Liqueur: For an adult version, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of strawberry liqueur or Grand Marnier into the strawberry sauce. It adds depth and enhances the berry flavor without overpowering the dessert.
- Individual Servings: I love making this in an 8×8 dish, but you can also layer it into small glasses or jars. Individual tiramisus are perfect for parties, meal prep, or easy grab-and-go desserts.
- Extra Toppings: To elevate the presentation, top each serving with shaved white chocolate, crushed pistachios, or a drizzle of strawberry coulis.
What to Serve with Strawberry Tiramisu
Main Dishes
- Strawberry tiramisu is a light and refreshing way to end a meal. We love serving it after a spring or summer dinner like Chicken Cutlet Sandwich, Pan Fried Salmon, or Lemon Basil Pasta Salad.
- It also makes a lovely finish to brunch spreads with Puff Pastry Quiche and a simple arugula salad.
Other Sides
- This dessert pairs beautifully with other light and fruity options. We like offering it alongside a berry fruit salad, lemon sorbet, or vanilla panna cotta for a variety of textures and flavors.
- It’s also great served with a small plate of almond biscotti, Classic Shortbread Cookies, or chocolate dipped strawberries.
- For a brunch table, include it with a spread of mini muffins, croissants, and fresh fruit platters for a sweet finish.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Fresh is best for texture and presentation, but if needed, thawed frozen strawberries can be used for the sauce. Just be sure to drain any excess liquid to avoid a watery dessert.
How long should I dip the ladyfingers?
Just a quick dip of 1 to 2 seconds in the strawberry juice is enough. Soaking them too long can make them mushy and ruin the texture of the tiramisu.
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes. Strawberry tiramisu is perfect for making ahead. Chill it for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best to let the flavors fully come together and the layers set.
What size dish should I use?
An 8×8 inch baking dish works well for layering the ingredients evenly, but you can also use a similar-sized casserole dish or individual jars for single servings.
How long does strawberry tiramisu keep?
Store it in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days. The texture may soften slightly over time, but the flavor continues to improve.
More Sweet Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- Baked Peaches – Baked peaches are the picture-perfect dish of summer! Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for the ultimate treat.
- Cream Cheese Berry Danish – This Cream Cheese Berry Danish recipe is sweet, juicy, rich, and tangy. Made with store-bought puff pastry, it’s incredibly simple to make!
- Air Fryer Yogurt Custard Toast – This viral TikTok Yogurt Custard Toast is topped with fresh berries and a 3-ingredient custard. Make it in the air fryer or oven!
- Strawberry Scones With Lemon Glaze – Serve these sweet and bright Strawberry Scones With Lemon Glaze with clotted cream and jam for the best start to your day.
If you try this Strawberry Tiramisu recipe, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!
Strawberry Tiramisu
Servings: 6 servings
This Strawberry Tiramisu is my favorite no-bake dessert for spring and summer. It's sweet, creamy, and layered with fresh berries and soft mascarpone cream. I love how it's always a crowd-pleaser, no matter the occasion!
Ingredients
- 1 pound strawberries, hulled and sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 24 ladyfingers, also called savoiardi biscuits
- strawberries, extra, for garnish
- fresh mint, for garnish
Instructions
Make the Strawberry Sauce:
- In a bowl, mix sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and lemon juice.
- Let sit for 10–15 minutes until juicy.
- Lightly mash some of the strawberries to create a sauce.
Prepare the Cream Filling:
- In a separate bowl, beat heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in mascarpone until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Tiramisu:
- Dip each ladyfinger quickly into the strawberry juice (don’t soak too long).
- Layer the dipped ladyfingers in a dish (8×8 inch works well).
- Spread half of the mascarpone mixture on top.
- Add half of the strawberries.
- Repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers, mascarpone, and strawberries.
Chill:
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to let flavors combine.
Serve:
- Garnish with extra strawberries and mint if desired. Enjoy chilled.
Notes
- Choose strawberries that are deep red, fragrant, and in season for the best flavor. If they’re slightly tart, add a little extra sugar when making the sauce.
- Dip each ladyfinger for just 1–2 seconds in the strawberry juice. Over-soaking can lead to a soggy texture that ruins the structure of the tiramisu.
- Make sure the whipped cream holds firm peaks before folding in the mascarpone. This creates a fluffy filling with structure and stability.
- The tiramisu needs to chill for at least 4 hours—overnight is best. This helps the flavors meld and the ladyfingers soften to the perfect consistency.
- Cold mascarpone and heavy cream whip better and help the filling stay firm after assembling.
- For an adult version, stir 1–2 tablespoons of strawberry liqueur or Grand Marnier into the strawberry mixture before dipping the ladyfingers.
- You can also assemble the tiramisu in small jars or glasses for a cute, portable option. Perfect for parties, picnics, or make-ahead desserts.
- Consider adding shaved white chocolate, crushed pistachios, or a drizzle of strawberry coulis just before serving.
Photography by Naomi Seiler
Leave a Reply