Description
Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu is a decadent twist on the classic Italian dessert, combining juicy cherries, creamy mascarpone, and the smooth almond flavor of amaretto liqueur. This layered dessert offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, from tender ladyfingers soaked in cherry-amaretto syrup to the light mascarpone custard, finished with a delicate dusting of cocoa powder. Simple to assemble and best served chilled, it’s perfect for impressing guests or indulging in a make-ahead treat.
Ingredients
Fruit & Alcohol
- Fresh or Frozen Pitted Cherries, 2 cups
- Amaretto Liqueur, 1/2 cup
- Sugar (for macerating cherries), 2 tbsp
Mascarpone Custard
- Egg Yolks, 4 large
- Granulated Sugar, 3/4 cup
- Mascarpone Cheese, 16 oz (2 cups)
- Vanilla Extract, 1 tsp
Cream
- Heavy Cream, 1 cup
Assembly
- Ladyfinger Cookies, 24 pieces
- Cocoa Powder, for dusting (about 2 tbsp)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cherry-Amaretto Mix: Gently toss the pitted cherries with the amaretto liqueur and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Allow the cherries to macerate and soak in the almond flavor while preparing the rest of the dessert.
- Create the Mascarpone Custard: Whisk the egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in a heatproof bowl over simmering water until the mixture thickens and becomes pale. Remove from heat, then fold in the mascarpone cheese and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Whip the Cream: Lightly whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone custard to add airiness and smoothness to the mixture.
- Assemble the Layers: Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the cherry-amaretto syrup, ensuring not to over-soak to avoid mushiness. Layer the soaked ladyfingers in the serving dish, spread a layer of mascarpone custard over them, then sprinkle with macerated cherries. Repeat layering to build the dessert.
- Chill and Dust: Cover the assembled tiramisu and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and texture to set. Before serving, dust the top generously with cocoa powder for a classic finish.
Notes
- Do not over-soak ladyfingers; a brief dip keeps them tender without becoming mushy.
- Use room temperature ingredients for smooth mascarpone blending without lumps.
- Chilling overnight enhances the melding of flavors and perfects texture.
- Fresh cherries provide the best brightness in taste and texture, but frozen can also be used.
- Adjust the amount of amaretto to taste, starting with less and adding more for a stronger almond flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu, Italian dessert, mascarpone, cherries, amaretto, layered dessert