Craving tiramisu but don't have mascarpone or are worried about raw eggs? I've been there, wanting that creamy coffee-kissed dessert, but limited by what's in the fridge. Not anymore! This recipe for tiramisu without mascarpone or raw eggs uses simple ingredients and yet delivers that dreamy coffee-soaked dessert we all love.
Originally published in 2017, updated with new content and pictures.
I made this eggless tiramisu without mascarpone for our 12th wedding anniversary - and not to brag, but it turned out gorgeous! I even got a little artsy with a DIY cocoa stencil for the top. We didn't have anyone to share it with, so we happily devoured it over the next two days with zero guilt.
Life is too short not to enjoy dessert, right? 😋 So if you're looking for a fuss-free, celebration-worthy, easy tiramisu without eggs, let this be your sign to make it!
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💕Why You'll Love This Recipe
Let me list them...
- No raw eggs
- No mascarpone
- No alcohol
- Not too sweet
- Make-ahead dessert
- Customisable
Ready to try?
🛒Grab These Ingredients
Perfect for last-minute desserts or weekend indulgence, this tiramisu recipe without eggs and alcohol comes together quickly with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Here's what you'll need:
- full-fat cream cheese
- whipping cream
- labneh - you may replace this with sour cream or Greek yoghurt
- granulated sugar
- icing sugar
- vanilla extract
- Ladyfingers (Savoiardi Biscuits)
- brewed coffee
- unsweetened cocoa powder
Refer to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this page for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.
If ladyfingers are hard to find in your area, try making your own! King Arthur Baking's homemade ladyfingers are simple, light, and perfect for tiramisu layering.
🥣Types of Equipment Required
Nothing fancy-just your everyday kitchen tools:
- Mixing bowls (2)
- electric mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Shallow bowl for dipping
- 7x10 inch (or similar) serving dish
- Sieve for dusting cocoa
- Stencil (optional but fun!)
🥣Instructions
For detailed instructions on how to make the recipe, please refer to the printable recipe card below.
A quick run through:
- Prepare the coffee and let it cool - I have used instant coffee and hot water. A dash of vanilla will only enhance the flavour even more.
- Prepare the mascarpone-like cream base and chill for 30 minutes.
- Whip the whipping cream to soft peaks and fold into the chilled cream base.
- Assemble the tiramisu in a serving dish and chill overnight for 6 to 8 hours.
- Dust the top with cocoa powder just before serving.
📝Take Note
For tiramisu, whipping cream should not be whipped to stiff peaks. Try to aim for a little more than a soft but not stiff peak. It should be able to hold its shape but still have a slight wobble. This consistency provides good stability for the tiramisu filling, which will help hold the structure.
Assembling in an oval dish
This is how I covered the base of an oval dish. Don't be afraid to break the ladyfingers to fit any gaps.
👩🏽🍳Pro Tips
- Use full-fat cream cheese - low-fat versions may split or turn grainy.
- Chill everything - cold ingredients whip better and give structure. On humid days, I like to freeze the mixing bowl and beaters for a good ten minutes beforehand.
- Don't oversoak ladyfingers - a quick dunk is all they need!
- Make ahead - tiramisu tastes even better the next day!
☝️Recipe FAQS
Not any yoghurt, but a full-fat Greek yoghurt mixed with cream cheese works best as a substitute for mascarpone. It gives a slight tang and creamy texture, though the flavour will be a bit lighter.
Oversoaking the ladyfingers is usually the culprit. They need just a quick dip-no more than a second-otherwise, they release too much moisture into the cream layers.
Use well-chilled cream and a light hand when folding to maintain structure. Also, let the dessert chill overnight for neat, sliceable layers.
I have used a 7x10 oval dish, but you can also use a 9x9-inch or 7x11-inch dish for this recipe.
Up to 5 days when properly covered and refrigerated in the coolest part. You can even freeze it for up to a month.
📝Variations
With some cream cheese left from this batch, I couldn't resist making another one-this time using Lotus Biscoff biscuits instead of ladyfingers. I followed the same base recipe but added a fun twist by whisking some Biscoff spread into a portion of the cream and finishing the top layer with it. The result? A caramel-flavoured tiramisu that's rich, spiced, and utterly addictive!
Just one of the many ways this recipe can be flavoured. What are you going to try? Let me know in the comments.
❄️Storage
- Fridge: Keeps well for 3 to 4 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze it for up to a month! Wrap the dish tightly in cling film and foil. Thaw it in the refrigerator when ready to eat.
🍲Related Recipes
- Do you have more whipping cream to use up? Try making my Mango Falooda with homemade ice cream!
- Transform this recipe's cream filling into a jar dessert, similar to my cheesecake with bourbon biscuits.
- If you have salted caramel, then you must make my no-churn chocolate ice cream for this summer!
- I cannot miss mentioning burnt cheesecake, right? Have you tried it yet?
- And lastly, my favourite cake - the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting
Craving more no-bake desserts? Check out my Dessert Collection for more quick treats!
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📖 Recipe Card
Tiramisu without Mascarpone (No Eggs, No Alcohol!)
Ingredients
For the homemade mascarpone-style filling:
- 200 grams cream cheese, softened (full-fat)
- ¼ cup whipping cream
- 2 tablespoon full-fat labneh, or sour cream
- 1 ½ tablespoon sugar
For the Whipped Cream:
- ½ cup whipping cream, (cold)
- ¼ cup icing sugar, (powdered sugar/confectioners' sugar)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
For the Coffee Soak:
- 16 to 18 ladyfingers, (200g pack)
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
Garnish:
- 1-2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
Prepare the coffee for soak
- In a shallow bowl, mix the hot water, instant coffee powder, sugar and vanilla until everything dissolves and let it cool.1 cup hot water1 tablespoon instant coffee2 tablespoons white sugar½ teaspoon vanilla essence
Make the cream filling
- In a bowl, gently mix the cream cheese, whipping cream, labneh, and sugar. Don't overmix! Cover and chill for at least 20 to 30 minutes.200 grams cream cheese softened (full-fat)¼ cup whipping cream2 tablespoon full-fat labneh or sour cream1 ½ tablespoon sugar
- Take another bowl and add the whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract and whip on medium to high speed until soft peaks form. Approximately 3 to 4 minutes.½ cup whipping cream (cold)¼ cup icing sugar (powdered sugar/confectioners' sugar)½ teaspoon vanilla essence
- Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cheese mixture. Keep refrigerated.
Assemble
- Lightly dip each ladyfinger in the coffee soak-just 1-2 seconds-and place in a single layer in your serving dish (7x10 or similar).16 to 18 ladyfingers (200g pack)
- Spread half of the cream filling over the soaked biscuits.
- Repeat another layer of coffee dipped ladyfingers and cream filling.
- Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 to 6 hours or overnight.
Serve
- Just before serving, dust generously with cocoa powder. Optionally, you can make your own stencil with paper by cutting random designs. Place it over the pan and sieve the cocoa to make a beautiful pattern.1-2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Notes
Nutrition Info
I'd love to hear if you tried this easy tiramisu recipe! Did you use sour cream or labneh? Any fun topping ideas? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to pin or share this recipe with your fellow dessert lovers!
Famidha Ashraf says
This tiramisu is proof that you don’t need mascarpone, raw eggs, or alcohol to enjoy every bit of that classic creamy, coffee-soaked indulgence. I wanted to create a version that anyone could make with pantry-friendly ingredients, yet still feel like a showstopper at the table.