Description
Classic Italian tiramisu meets holiday spirit in this gingerbread-infused dessert. Creamy mascarpone layers intertwine with spiced gingerbread cookies, creating a festive twist on the beloved Italian treat that delights winter palates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2024 gingerbread cookies (soft or crisp)
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml/12 fl oz) brewed espresso or strong coffee, cooled
- 8 oz (226 g) mascarpone cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup (67 g/2.4 oz) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsps (30 ml/1 fl oz) coffee liqueur (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Ground cinnamon or cocoa powder (for dusting)
- Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Cream Preparation: Whip heavy cream into robust, voluminous peaks, establishing a light, airy foundation for the dessert.
- Mascarpone Fusion: Blend mascarpone cheese with sugar, vanilla extract, and warm spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg) until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Layering Foundation: Gently fold whipped cream into spiced mascarpone, preserving the mixture’s delicate, ethereal texture.
- Coffee Infusion: Create a robust coffee bath by combining espresso and coffee liqueur in a shallow container for cookie soaking.
- Assembly Technique: Swiftly dip gingerbread cookies into coffee mixture, quickly layering them in the serving dish to prevent saturation, then cover with half the mascarpone cream, ensuring complete coverage.
- Secondary Layer: Repeat cookie-dipping process, topping with remaining mascarpone cream to complete the dessert structure.
- Flavor Development: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, ideally overnight, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Elegant Presentation: Before serving, dust the surface with cinnamon or cocoa powder, and optionally garnish with a delicate dollop of fresh whipped cream for an sophisticated finish.
Notes
- Maintain Cream Stability: Whip heavy cream just until stiff peaks form to prevent deflation and ensure a light, airy texture.
- Spice Blending Technique: Thoroughly mix mascarpone with spices at room temperature to distribute flavors evenly and create a smooth, consistent cream.
- Prevent Soggy Cookies: Dip gingerbread cookies quickly in coffee mixture, allowing minimal absorption to maintain their structural integrity and prevent mushiness.
- Flavor Development Strategy: Refrigerate tiramisu for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow spices and coffee to meld, intensifying the dessert’s complex flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 345
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg