Matcha Tiramisu is a light, bright, vibrant green tea version of the usual espresso coffee-flavored Italian dessert made of layers of liqueur-soaked ladyfinger cookies and fluffy mascarpone cream. For as light-yet-rich and delicious as tiramisu is, it is unbelievable how easy it is to actually make it, and this Matcha Tiramisu version is even easier because it uses whipped cream, no eggs! Shall we?
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What is Matcha Tiramisu?
Matcha Tiramisu, Or should we call it "tea"-ramisu? is a version of that uses matcha green tea in place of the coffee or espresso in the original version. Traditional tiramisu is made with made of ladyfinger cookies soaked in an espresso or coffee liqueur, layered with a creamy mascarpone-based filling, then dusted with grated chocolate. Instead of espresso or coffee, we're using brewed matcha green tea as the soaking liquid, and dusting with sweetened matcha powder. It tastes like your favorite matcha latte in dessert form!
Tiramisu is generally pretty easy to make, and this Matcha Tiramisu version is even easier because it doesn't use eggs in the cream layer. The original Italian dessert incorporates egg yolks into the mascarpone to create a form of custard. However, this version, which isn't traiditonal by any means, uses actual cream instead of eggs to lighten the mascarpone.
Ingredients You Need For Matcha Tiramisu
Fresh/refrigerator ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 8 ounces mascarpone
Dry/pantry ingredients:
- 24 ladyfingers (usually 1 7-ounce package)
- 1 tablespoon + 1 tablespoon matcha powder
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup hot water
Optional garnishes: fresh berries, especially raspberries! edible flowers like chamomile flowers which look like tiny white daisies, pink wax flowers, or rose petals
What is the Best Matcha?
This is my favorite matcha for drinking, and in this recipe, will create a vibrant green Matcha Tiramisu! However, using such an expensive "ceremonial" grade matcha is not required. Use any organic, shade-grown matcha green tea powder.
Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder made from dried Camellia sinensis tea leaves, which are the same tea leaves used to make regular brewed green tea, white tea, and black teas. However, rather than brewing the dried tea leaves and drinking the liquid like regular tea, for matcha you whisk the fine powder into liquid and consume all of it. Matcha powder doesn't dissolve.
There are several factors that distinguish matcha from other teas made from the same plant. How the tea plants are grown, which leaves are harvested, when they are harvested, and how the leaves are dried and processed all determine whether tea will be matcha or regular tea. All of these details in the processing of matcha ensures that the vibrant green color is retained in the final product, but more importantly the health benefits.
Like most teas, matcha has a slightly bitter, tannic taste. Different types and styles of matcha can range in flavor from grassy and herbal to almost sweet.
Helpful Tools and Equipment to Make Matcha Tiramisu
- 8x8 baking dish. I like using glass so you can see the layers through the sides
- OR 8x8 ceramic dish that's pretty since you're serving tiramisu straight from the pan
- Stand mixer, the GOAT that I've had for 20+ years!
- or hand mixer (how cute is this green one that matches the matcha color!)
- Glass mixing bowls
- Whisk, if you want an arm workout!
- Bamboo whisk specially designed for whisking matcha tea
- Spatula
- Sifter
How to Make Matcha Tiramisu
In a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer or in a stand mixer, whip 2 cups heavy whipping cream, ⅓ cup powdered sugar, vanilla, and sea salt until soft peaks. You can also do this by hand with a whisk, but prepared for an arm workout!
Place the mascarpone in another bowl. Using a spatula press the mascarpone against the sides of the bowl to soften and loosen.
Add the whipped cream to the mascarpone and gently fold in with the spatula until well combined. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to stay cool while you prep the matcha green tea for soaking.
Sift 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder into ½ cup steaming hot water. Whisk together until evenly mixed; the matcha will not dissolve.
Pour into a small, shallow bowl with a flat bottom, wide enough to fit the length of a ladyfinger cookie. I use a small rectangular storage container.
Grab the Mascarpone Cream from the refrigerator, ladyfingers, and the 8x8 pan or baking dish.
Dip a ladyfinger in the matcha green tea, flip it over, then place in the bottom of the 8x8 pan. Don't let the ladyfinger soak too long otherwise it will get too soft or worse, fall apart. Continue dipping and lining up the ladyfingers in a single layer the bottom of the pan. Depending on the size of the ladyfingers, you may need to break the last few in half to cover the bottom.
Spread half the Mascarpone Cream over the soaked ladyfingers in an even layer.
Dip the remaining ladyfingers in the matcha green tea, flip, and place in a single layer on the mascarpone in the pan.
Spread the remainder of the Mascarpone Cream over the second layer of ladyfingers, doing your best to create a smooth, flat top.
Cover Matcha Tiramisu with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, best overnight.
When ready to serve, remove the Matcha Tiramisu from the refrigerator and uncover.
Stir together 1 tablespoon matcha powder with 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, then use a sieve to sift the matcha sugar in an even layer over the entire top surface of the Matcha Tiramisu. Garnish with berries or flowers if using. Serve immediately.
Best Recipes Using Matcha
If you're here for the matcha, make this Matcha Tiramisu first, then come back and try more of these recipes using matcha!
Matcha Tiramisu Recipe
Ingredients
For the Mascarpone Cream
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 8 ounces mascarpone
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
For the Soaked Cookies
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
- 24 ladyfingers
For Dusting on Top
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
Make Mascarpone Cream
- In a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer or in a stand mixer, whip 2 cups heavy whipping cream, ⅓ cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla, and ½ teaspoon salt until soft peaks. You can also do this by hand with a whisk, but prepared for an arm workout!
- Place the mascarpone in another bowl. Using a spatula press the mascarpone against the sides of the bowl to soften and loosen.
- Add the whipped cream to the mascarpone and gently fold in with the spatula until well combined. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to stay cool while you prep the matcha green tea for soaking.
Assemble Matcha Tiramisu
- Sift the 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder into ½ cup steaming hot water. Whisk together until evenly mixed; the matcha will not dissolve. Pour into a small, shallow bowl with a flat bottom, wide enough to fit the length of a ladyfinger cookie. I use a small rectangular storage container.
- Grab the Mascarpone Cream from the refrigerator, ladyfingers, and the 8x8 pan or baking dish.
- Dip a ladyfinger in the matcha green tea, flip it over, then place in the bottom of the 8x8 pan. Don't let the ladyfinger soak too long otherwise it will get too soft or worse, fall apart. Continue dipping and lining up the ladyfingers in a single layer the bottom of the pan. Depending on the size of the ladyfingers, you may need to break the last few in half to cover the bottom.
- Spread half the Mascarpone Cream over the soaked ladyfingers in an even layer.
- Dip in the matcha green tea, flip, and place the remaining ladyfingers in a single layer on the mascarpone in the pan.
- Spread the remainder of the Mascarpone Cream over the second layer of ladyfingers, doing your best to create a smooth, flat top.
- Cover Matcha Tiramisu with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, best overnight.
Dust and Serve Matcha Tiramisu
- When ready to serve, remove the Matcha Tiramisu from the refrigerator and uncover.
- Stir together 1 tablespoon matcha powder with 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, then use a sieve to sift the matcha sugar in an even layer over the entire top surface of the Matcha Tiramisu. Serve immediately.
Diana says
I think this rule also applies to dark chocolate. Or at least it does in my warped and very twisted mind.
Kevin H says
Mmm, looks so good. And I just finished dinner.
catty says
Damn right it is. Hence my post on matcha and its god-given powers and my justification that it's so good in fact that I’m sure having it in ice cream (with a little condensed milk) or as rice krispies (with one or two or 40 marshmallows) is still a good thing. Right?
sarah says
Diana: dark chocolate and...red wine!
catty: yes,i love that you put matcha green tea into your rice krispies treats!
Shae says
If I wasn't planning on making Irish Car Bomb cupcakes, it'd be perfect for St. Patty's Day!