Black Forest Tiramisu
Creamy delicious Black Forest Tiramisu made with lady fingers soaked in espresso, layered with vanilla flavored mascarpone cheese and heavy cream, chocolate ganache, cherry preserves decorated with chocolate shavings and cherries.
Apparently, I had this idea, of making black forest flavored Tiramisu. I know I know, original Tiramisu is quite different from this but this a take using some of the same ingredients and making it into something quick and easy.
So, last year I made this desert for my New Year’s Eve party, and it was so quick to make it. We were also celebrating a friend’s birthday at midnight. It was so prefect to make this as dessert with my Italian themed menu. Everyone loved it. I could not film the recipe at that time, but I was waiting for summer cherries to show up and try to make this again.
I changed up few things this time since making it last time. This version is better than the one I made for NY eve. The benefit of waiting so long, that I perfected the recipe just the way I like it.
Further, I realized that not everyone likes to make elaborate desserts and be in the kitchen all day long. Sometimes, it’s totally normal and okay to take short cuts and make something delicious.
WHAT IS TIRAMISU?
Tiramisu is an Italian dessert made with coffee-soaked lady fingers (sponge cake) and layered with mascarpone cheese. So, this dessert is not far different from original Tiramisu.
The technique of dipping the lady fingers in liquid and layering with mascarpone cheese and heavy whipping cream, are very much just like Tiramisu. I added the components of black forest cake flavors by adding ganache, cherries, and chocolate shavings.
Store- bought lady fingers are easily available everywhere, even a small supermarket near my work carries it. Just look closely or ask store employee. The espresso is easy to brew. The dessert has few components, but its quick to put together.
Whipped cream also took 5 minutes to come together. When I say this dessert literally comes together in minutes, I mean it.
COMPONENTS
Store-bought Ladyfingers from company called saviordi.
Prepare Ganache ahead. Just warm it up to loosen it up before you pour over. It should not be hot.
Whip Cream and Mascarpone beforehand. But honestly it takes few minutes to whip it. Bring it at room temperature just in case you prepare it in advance.
Cherries – I made my own cherry preserves because I found awesome sour cherries from Union Square Farmers market. I used some sweet ones too. You can use bottled maraschino cherries (no need to make preserves), use frozen cherries to make your own home-made preserves, or buy amarena cherries. So many options.
Chocolate shavings should be made in advance, as it needs time to freeze and harden up.
VARIATIONS
You can make this in one single tray or in individual cups or glasses. Either way its going to taste great.
Every layer has sugar in it, so be mindful of it. My recipe is not too sweet but does not lack sugar either.
Instead of using lady fingers, you can easily use toasts, store bought plain cake (vanilla or choc), instead of dipping use spoon to drizzle some espresso. This is for people who want to make it eggless.
Lastly, if you are not in coffee, use cherry juice to soak up the sponge. That’s how I made it the first time.
STORAGE
Store it covered in plastic wrap. It is a great make ahead dessert. Just sprinkle cocoa powder just before serving and add cherries.
Black Forest Tiramisu is so quick and easy to make.
They are made with store-bought lady fingers dipped in some espresso and layered with luscious cream and mascarpone mix, layered with cherries and ganache garnished with chocolate shavings and cocoa powder.