This quick and easy Earl Grey Tiramisu is a bright twist on a classic! Earl grey tea soaked lady fingers get layered in between a thick and fluffy lemon mascarpone cream. Add a layer of lemon curd for extra flavor! Floral gin can be added, or feel free to omit the alcohol completely.
This is an earl grey dessert of the heavens! This Earl Grey Tiramisu with Lemon Mascarpone Cream cuts like butter. It's so soft without being soggy, and is a great dessert for when you need to satisfy that sweet tooth with a dessert that's not overly sweet!
The lady fingers get soaked in a concentrated early grey tea with a splash of floral gin or elderflower liqueur. Feel free to omit the alcohol completely, however.
The lady fingers then get layered with a bright and lightly sweet lemon mascarpone cream filled with lemon zest and lemon juice.
Want to get extra fancy? Add a layer of lemon curd (my homemade version is the easiest of all time!) in the center for extra brightness and lemon flavor!
A classic tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts! I love to put a little spin on this dish, as the flavor profiles are truly endless and so versatile.
Try my Cherry Almond Tiramisu or Pumpkin Chai Tiramisu for more fun flavors!
Ingredient Notes
- Lady fingers. You can find these most grocery stores in the Italian section!
- Earl grey tea. I used Twinnings for this recipe, as I feel that the lemon-y bergamot really comes through in that brand. I think these are the best earl grey tea bags.
- Gin. Use the most floral gin you can find - I used Tomcat. You can also fully omit the gin and replace the amount with tea. You can also use elderflower liqueur!
- Mascarpone. I like to use Bel Gioioso brand - it's nice and thick which allows for a very fluffy cream.
- Egg yolks. Two cold yolks.
- Sugar. Granulated sugar for both the tea mixture and lemon mascarpone cream.
- Heavy whipping cream. Provides the fluffiness to lemon cream.
How to make earl grey tiramisu
STEP 1: Add the sugar, water, and tea bag(s) to a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot.
Cool completely, then squeeze out the tea bags and stir in the gin, if using.
STEP 2: In a bowl, rub together the lemon zest and sugar to release all of the oils.
Then, make the lemon cream by adding the mascarpone, lemon sugar, lemon juice, egg yolks, heavy cream and vanilla to a stand mixer and beating on high speed for two minutes until fluffy.
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Tiramisu Assembly
STEP 3: Gather the loaf pan, lady fingers, tea mixture, and lemon cream and prepare the assembly line.
Start by dipping the lady fingers in the tea mixture. Dip one, roll it, then place it in the bottom of a standard loaf pan.
Repeat until the bottom of the pan is covered. You will be able to fit 6-7 lady fingers per layer.
STEP 4: Add half of the lemon cream and spread it evenly over the lady fingers to meet the sides. Repeat with the lady fingers and lemon mascarpone cream, spreading the cream as evenly as possible on the top layer.
STEP 5: Cover the tiramisu with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. Before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar.
Hot tip! Use a stencil when adding the powdered sugar for a decorative effect.
Storing and Freezing
Store the tiramisu covered in the fridge for three days. This dish should not be frozen.
FAQs & Tips
In the United States, eggs are pasteurized, making them safe to eat raw (though roughly 1 in every 20,000 eggs can contain salmonella).
However, if you'd like to cook the yolks, add the sugar and egg yolks to a bowl over a Bain Marie on medium heat and whisk for about 5-7 minutes until thickened and hot to the touch.
Cool completely in the fridge before adding the remaining ingredients and whipping.
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📖Recipe
Earl Grey Tiramisu with Lemon Mascarpone Cream
Equipment
- 8x4 inch loaf pan
- Microplane or zester
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment, or handheld mixer
Ingredients
Lady Finger Layer
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 25g
- 1½ cups water
- 3 Earl Grey Tea bags
- 1-2 ounces gin or elderflower liqueur very floral is best
- 15-20 lady fingers
Mascarpone Layer
- 8 oz mascarpone cold
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar 67g
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 large egg yolks cold
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream cold
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
- powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Combine the water, sugar, and tea bags in a small pan over medium heat and mix until the sugar is dissolved.2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1½ cups water, 3 Earl Grey Tea bags
- Transfer to a bowl to cool, then squeeze out the tea bags, add the gin/ elderflower, and stir.1-2 ounces gin or elderflower liqueur
- Rub together the lemon zest and sugar with your fingertips. This helps to impart more lemon flavor into the cream.⅓ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- Add the mascarpone, lemon sugar, lemon juice, egg yolks, heavy cream and vanilla to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a hand mixer). Beat on medium high speed for 2-3 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy.8 oz mascarpone, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 large egg yolks, ½ cup heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract
Assembly
- To assemble the tiramisu, begin by dipping and rolling 6-8 ladyfingers (one at a time) in the tea mixture and lining them in the bottom of the loaf pan.15-20 lady fingers
- Add half of the mascarpone mixture and spread evenly and completely to the sides of the pan.
- Repeat with the remaining lady fingers and mascarpone, spreading the mascarpone as evenly as possible. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
- Before serving, dust with powdered sugar. Use a patterned stencil if you have one!powdered sugar
Video
Notes
- You could need more or fewer lady fingers depending on the size and shape of your loaf pan.
- Dip and roll the ladyfingers quickly through the liquid, as they deteriorate with too much soaking.
- Use a stencil to add powdered sugar to the tops for a more decorative effect.
- To omit the alcohol, make the simple syrup as directed, adding an additional 2 tablespoons of water.
- If you'd like to kick this dessert up a notch, add a layer of lemon curd on top of the first layer of lady fingers and lemon cream!
Hope JH says
Great recipe!!! I've made it 3 times now. Lemon curd in between is mandatory! I always seem to need more dipping liquid, so I do 1.25 cups and 3 tea bags (any extra I can dilute and drink). I find a day is necessary to wait for it to be the best texture. So good that it's my girlfriend's yearly birthday cake 🙂
Callan Wenner says
The last few times I've made this I have included the lemon curd...I think I'll need to update the recipe to include it "officially'! Appreciate the notes on the increase in liquid, as well. I'm so happy you enjoy this, and that it's become a yearly celebration for you!
Anna says
Oh my! Made this for a Father’s Day family dinner yesterday… so delicious! I’m gluten free and low(er) carb, so I used GF ladyfingers and an erythritol-monk fruit sweetener - but otherwise followed the recipe. I made a simple lemon curd and layered that in, per the suggestion. And just for the sake of extra, I topped the tiramisu with a layer of homemade whipped cream (lightly sweetened & flavored w ground vanilla). Garnished w fresh raspberries and blackberries as I served it. Everyone had seconds, even my spouse who normally won’t eat dessert if it’s not chocolate 🤤. Thank you! Brilliant idea! (As it would happen, I had just enough elderberry liqueur (hiding in the back of my pantry!) so I did add that to the Earl Grey syrup.) I will be making this again!
Callan Wenner says
Well this all just sounds like an amazing success! So happy to hear this, thank you for trying!
Nan says
AWESOME!!
Mary Ann says
Made this, added lemon curd. Family loved it.
Callan Wenner says
Yay!! So happy to hear you added the lemon curd, really kicks it up a notch!
Muriel says
Possible to make without an alcohol? Suggestions Please and thanks
Callan Wenner says
Hi Muriel - check the "notes" section at the very bottom of the recipe card on how to make this without the alcohol! It's in with the bullet points!
Anna says
Love this. Make it