Earl Grey Tiramisu Recipe

The Perfect Earl Grey Tiramisu Recipe for Tea Lovers

Earl Grey tiramisu blends classic Italian dessert magic with sophisticated tea-infused elegance.

Delicate layers of creamy mascarpone craft this traditional treat into a refined culinary experience.

Rich, aromatic tea notes dance gracefully through each velvety bite, creating an unexpected symphony of flavors.

Subtle bergamot undertones weave complexity into the classic dessert’s familiar framework.

Silky textures and nuanced tea essence elevate this classic recipe beyond ordinary expectations.

Passionate home bakers and tea enthusiasts will adore this innovative twist on a beloved Italian classic.

The harmonious marriage of tea and traditional tiramisu ingredients promises a truly memorable dessert.

Why Earl Grey Tiramisu Deserves a Place at Dessert

  • Infuse Unique Flavor: Earl Grey tea transforms the classic tiramisu with its bergamot-infused elegance, creating a sophisticated twist on the traditional dessert.
  • Craft Luxurious Texture: Silky mascarpone whipped cream and delicate ladyfingers combine to deliver a melt-in-your-mouth experience that's both light and indulgent.
  • Simplify Elegant Dessert: This recipe offers a surprisingly easy method to create a gourmet-level dessert, perfect for impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Prepare Make-Ahead Magic: The overnight chilling allows flavors to meld beautifully, making it an ideal make-ahead dessert for stress-free entertaining.

Key Ingredients in Earl Grey Tiramisu

Tea Base:
  • Earl Grey Tea: Provides rich, aromatic tea flavor with bergamot notes, choose high-quality loose leaf or tea bags for best taste.
  • Water: Essential liquid for steeping tea, use filtered water for clearer flavor.
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Sugar: Balances tea's bitterness and adds sweetness, granulated white sugar works best.
  • Vanilla: Adds depth and warmth to the overall dessert flavor, pure vanilla extract recommended.
  • Salt: Enhances and rounds out other flavors, a small pinch brings balance.
Cream and Dairy Components:
  • Heavy Cream, Mascarpone Cheese: Create luxurious, smooth cream base, select fresh, high-quality ingredients for best texture.
  • Egg Yolks: Provide richness and help stabilize the cream mixture, use fresh, room temperature eggs.
  • Ladyfingers: Classic tiramisu base that absorbs tea, choose firm, dry ladyfingers that won't fall apart when dipped.

Assembly Instructions for Tea-Infused Tiramisu

Step 1: Brew Aromatic Earl Grey Concentrate

  • Boil water in a medium saucepan
  • Add Earl Grey tea leaves
  • Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes
  • Strain tea into a heatproof bowl
  • Whisk in sugar, vanilla, and salt
  • Let mixture cool completely

Step 2: Whip Creamy Mascarpone Mixture

  • Add heavy cream to stand mixer
  • Whisk on medium-high speed until soft peaks form
  • Incorporate mascarpone and vanilla
  • Whisk until smooth and creamy

Step 3: Create Luxurious Egg Base

  • Beat egg yolks in mixer bowl
  • Add sugar and salt
  • Whip until fluffy and volume doubles
  • Gently fold whipped cream into egg mixture

Step 4: Layer Delightful Dessert

  • Dip ladyfingers into cooled tea concentrate
  • Arrange first layer in 8-inch square pan
  • Spread half of mascarpone cream
  • Add second layer of ladyfingers
  • Top with remaining cream

Step 5: Chill and Set

  • Cover pan with plastic wrap
  • Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

  • Remove from refrigerator
  • Slice and serve chilled
  • Dessert stays fresh for 3 days in refrigerator

Tips for Layering and Steeping Flavor

  • Master Tea Steeping: Brew Earl Grey tea slowly and carefully to extract maximum flavor without bitterness, ensuring a rich, aromatic base for your tiramisu.
  • Soften Ladyfingers Perfectly: Quickly dip each ladyfinger in tea concentrate, avoiding over-soaking that could make the dessert soggy and lose its delicate texture.
  • Whip Cream with Precision: Beat mascarpone and cream until just smooth and fluffy, stopping before it becomes too stiff or starts to separate.
  • Chill for Optimal Texture: Allow tiramisu to rest in the refrigerator for the full 8 hours, letting flavors meld and develop a creamy, luxurious consistency.
  • Layer with Gentle Touch: Spread cream carefully between ladyfingers, creating even layers to ensure each bite has a balanced blend of tea-soaked cookies and creamy filling.

Keeping Tiramisu Fresh for Later

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover tiramisu in an airtight container, keeping it sealed tightly to prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors. Place in the coldest part of the fridge, typically the back shelf.
  • Freezing: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Reheating: Enjoy tiramisu chilled directly from the refrigerator. Avoid microwaving, as this will compromise the delicate texture and creamy consistency of the dessert.

Pairing Ideas for Earl Grey Tiramisu

  • Brew Complementary Tea Pairing: Serve a warm cup of fresh Earl Grey tea alongside the chilled dessert to enhance the unique bergamot flavor profile and create a harmonious taste experience.
  • Elegant Wine Companion: Select a crisp, slightly sweet Moscato d'Asti or a light Riesling to balance the creamy texture and complement the delicate tea-infused notes of the tiramisu.
  • Citrus Sorbet Accent: Prepare a small lemon or mandarin orange sorbet as a palate cleanser to provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy dessert and highlight its subtle Earl Grey undertones.
  • Dark Chocolate Garnish: Sprinkle finely grated dark chocolate with 70% cocoa content on top of each serving to add depth and a subtle bitterness that perfectly matches the tea's complex flavor.

Variations to Elevate the Recipe

  • Lavender Lemon Infusion: Replace Earl Grey with lavender tea and add fresh lemon zest to the tea concentrate for a floral, citrusy flavor profile.
  • Chai Spice Remix: Swap Earl Grey for strong chai tea and incorporate ground cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger into the mascarpone cream for a warm, aromatic dessert.
  • Chocolate Orange Elegance: Mix cocoa powder into the tea concentrate and add orange extract to the mascarpone cream, creating a rich, zesty chocolate-orange variation.
  • Matcha Green Tea Experience: Use concentrated matcha instead of Earl Grey, folding finely ground matcha powder directly into the mascarpone cream for an intense green tea sensation.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Earl Grey Tiramisu Recipe

Earl Grey Tiramisu Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Silky Earl Grey tiramisu weaves Italian classic dessert magic with fragrant tea-infused layers. Delicate mascarpone cream and espresso-soaked ladyfingers create an elegant symphony you’ll savor to the last delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 26 ladyfingers
  • 3 tablespoons loose leaf Earl Grey tea (or 9 Earl Grey tea bags)
  • 1.25 cups (10 ounces or 284 grams) cold heavy cream
  • 1 (8-ounce) container cold mascarpone

Liquid and Sweeteners:

  • 1.5 cups (12 ounces or 340 grams) water
  • 0.5 cup (3.5 ounces or 99 grams) granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup (1.75 ounces or 50 grams) granulated sugar

Flavor Enhancers and Additional Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla paste or extract
  • 4 large pasteurized egg yolks
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 pinch kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Craft a robust Earl Grey tea concentrate by simmering tea leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to steep deeply and develop a rich, aromatic profile.
  2. Strain the hot tea directly over granulated sugar in a heatproof vessel, whisking thoroughly to dissolve and integrate the sweetness while incorporating vanilla and a delicate touch of salt.
  3. Allow the tea concentrate to cool completely, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify.
  4. Whip heavy cream in a stand mixer until soft, billowy peaks emerge, creating a light and airy texture.
  5. Introduce mascarpone and vanilla to the whipped cream, blending smoothly until the mixture becomes uniform and luxurious.
  6. In a separate mixing bowl, vigorously beat egg yolks with sugar and salt, transforming the ingredients into a pale, voluminous cream that doubles in size.
  7. Gently fold the mascarpone whipped cream into the egg mixture in two stages, preserving the delicate airiness of the cream.
  8. Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the cooled tea concentrate, ensuring a brief but thorough coating without oversaturating.
  9. Carefully layer the tea-soaked ladyfingers in a single, even arrangement within an 8-inch square pan.
  10. Spread half of the mascarpone cream evenly across the first layer of ladyfingers, creating a smooth, luxurious surface.
  11. Repeat the layering process with remaining ladyfingers and cream, building a second elegant tier.
  12. Seal the tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 8 hours, allowing the flavors to harmonize and the dessert to set.
  13. Serve chilled, savoring the dessert within 3 days for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

  • Steep Earl Grey tea slowly to extract maximum flavor, creating a rich, aromatic base that elevates the traditional tiramisu.
  • Whisk egg yolks until they become pale and fluffy, which ensures a light, creamy texture in the final dessert.
  • Allow the tiramisu to rest overnight, giving the ladyfingers time to absorb the tea concentrate and develop deep, complex flavors.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to help achieve a smoother, more consistent mascarpone cream mixture.
  • Gently fold whipped cream into the egg mixture to maintain the delicate airiness and prevent deflating the mixture.
  • Refrigerate for at least 8 hours to allow flavors to meld and develop a luxurious, silky consistency.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Drinks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 392
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 97 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star