Earl Grey Tiramisu Recipe

A Tea Lover’s Dream: Easy Earl Grey Tiramisu Recipe

I first stumbled upon the idea of making a tiramisu without coffee for a friend who wasn’t a fan. I decided to experiment with Earl Grey tea, and the result was absolutely fantastic.

This “tea-ramisu” has a delicate, aromatic flavor that’s both comforting and elegant. It quickly became one of my go-to desserts for special occasions.

It’s surprisingly simple to assemble, and the flavor is truly unique. While you’re here, you can also explore our guide for Lemon Pizza Recipe for a savory meal idea.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

Having made this dessert many times, I’ve picked up a few tricks to ensure it turns out perfectly every time.

• Don’t Over-Soak the Biscuits: I can’t stress this enough. A very quick dip, about one second per side, is all you need. The biscuits will continue to soften as they absorb moisture from the cream while chilling. Over-soaking leads to a soggy dessert.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the smoothest cream, I make sure my mascarpone and eggs are at room temperature before I start mixing. This helps them combine more easily without getting lumpy.
• Be Gentle When Folding: When you fold the whipped egg whites into the mascarpone-yolk mixture, do it gently with a spatula. You want to keep as much air in the mixture as possible to achieve that light, mousse-like texture.
• Let It Rest Overnight: While 2 hours is the minimum, I find the tiramisu is always best when made the day before. This gives the flavors time to meld together and the texture becomes absolutely perfect.

Variations to Try

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. If you want to switch things up, here are a few ideas to get you started. You can also explore our other dinner recipes for more culinary inspiration.

• Flavor Boosts: Add a splash of amaretto or a citrus liqueur like Grand Marnier to the tea for an extra layer of flavor. A bit of lemon or orange zest in the mascarpone cream also pairs beautifully with Earl Grey.
• Dairy-Free Option: You can find dairy-free mascarpone alternatives in many grocery stores. These work well as a substitute, though the texture might be slightly different.
• Sugar-Free Version: Use a granulated sugar substitute like erythritol or stevia in both the cream and the tea. Ensure it’s a 1:1 replacement for sugar to maintain the right level of sweetness.
• Different Teas: Feel free to experiment with other black teas like English Breakfast or even herbal teas like chamomile for a different flavor profile.

Equipment You Need

• 12×18 cm (5×7 inch) Casserole Dish: The perfect size for assembling the layers of this recipe.
• Electric Mixer: Essential for whipping the egg whites to stiff peaks and beating the yolks until fluffy.
• Mixing Bowls: You will need at least two large bowls to separate the egg components and mix the cream.
• Spatula: For gently folding the cream and spreading the layers evenly.
• Strainer: To remove the tea leaves from your brewed tea infusion.

How to Serve Earl Grey Tiramisu

Presentation can make this simple dessert feel extra special.

• Dust the top with finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves or a sprinkle of cocoa powder right before serving.
• For an elegant touch, garnish with dried cornflower petals, which are often found in Earl Grey tea blends.
• This dessert is a fantastic partner to other elegant treats. For a complete dessert spread, consider serving it alongside our Brown Sugar Pumpkin Loaf Recipe.

Calories Count

The nutritional information is an estimate per serving.

• Calories: 452kcal
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Protein: 10g
• Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 19g
• Cholesterol: 200mg
• Sodium: 105mg
• Sugar: 13g

How to Store the Tiramisu

Proper storage is key to keeping your tiramisu fresh and safe to eat, as it contains raw eggs and fresh cheese.

• Refrigerating: Always store tiramisu in the refrigerator, covered tightly with plastic wrap. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Freezing is not recommended for this dessert, as the cream can separate and become watery upon thawing, ruining its delicate texture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are a few reasons why this Earl Grey Tiramisu is sure to become a new favorite.

• A Unique and Elegant Flavor: The aromatic bergamot in the Earl Grey tea provides a sophisticated twist that is both refreshing and comforting.
• Perfect for Non-Coffee Drinkers: It’s an inclusive dessert that allows everyone, including tea lovers and those who avoid caffeine from coffee, to enjoy a tiramisu.
• Excellent Make-Ahead Dessert: Because it needs time to set, this is the ideal dessert to prepare a day in advance for a dinner party or special occasion.
• Incredibly Light and Creamy: The combination of whipped egg whites and mascarpone creates a heavenly, mousse-like cream that melts in your mouth.

Ben Carraoli

Earl Grey Tiramisu Recipe

I first stumbled upon the idea of making a tiramisu without coffee for a friend who wasn't a fan. I decided to experiment with Earl Grey tea, and the result was absolutely fantastic. This "tea-ramisu" has a delicate, aromatic flavor that's both comforting and elegant.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dessert

Calories: 452

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 250 g mascarpone cheese: This is the heart of any tiramisu. Use a full-fat high-quality mascarpone for the richest, creamiest texture.
• 2 large eggs: Fresh eggs are crucial as they will be used raw. They provide the lightness and structure for the cream.
• 50 g granulated sugar plus 2 tsp for the tea: This provides just the right amount of sweetness to balance the bitterness of the tea and the richness of the cheese.
• 100 g savoiardi ladyfinger biscuits: These are the traditional choice for tiramisu, as their dry, porous texture is perfect for soaking up the tea without becoming mushy.
• 2 tsp loose-leaf Earl Grey tea: Using loose-leaf tea often yields a more robust and nuanced flavor. You can use tea bags if that’s what you have on hand.
• 160 ml water: Used to brew the strong tea for dipping the ladyfingers.

Method

 

1. First, bring the water to a boil. Pour it over the loose-leaf Earl Grey tea and the extra 2 teaspoons of sugar. Stir well to dissolve the sugar, and then let the tea steep for about 20 minutes. This creates a strong, concentrated tea that will also cool to room temperature. Once steeped, strain the tea to remove the leaves and set it aside.
2. Separate the egg yolks from the whites, placing them in two different large bowls. To the bowl with the egg whites, add half of the 50g of sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat the whites until they form stiff peaks. In the second bowl, beat the egg yolks with the remaining sugar until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy, and light in color. Add the mascarpone cheese to the yolk mixture and mix until everything is smooth and fully combined. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the mascarpone mixture until just incorporated.
3. Spread a thin, even layer of the mascarpone cream on the bottom of a 12×18 cm (5×7 inch) casserole dish. This prevents the first layer of biscuits from sticking. One by one, quickly dip each ladyfinger biscuit into the cooled Earl Grey tea, ensuring both sides are coated but not saturated. Arrange the dipped biscuits in a single layer over the cream.
4. Cover the biscuit layer with about half of the remaining mascarpone cream, spreading it evenly. Repeat the process by adding another layer of quickly-dipped ladyfingers. Top it all off with the final layer of mascarpone cream, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill and set for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.