This Easy Chocolate Tiramisu Trifle is a delicate balance of rich chocolate mousse meets traditional tiramisu! Egg-free, fuss-free and no-bake, tiramisu with chocolate is perfect for entertaining and customizable. This tiramisu recipe includes option to make a boozy Bailey’s dessert or an alcohol-free chocolate tiramisu.
Hey there, friends!
You know what I recently realized?
It’s been approximately 20 months since I’ve shared a new dessert recipe here on this blog!
Sure, I share these boozy bites a few weeks ago, but that was an older recipe updated with a video.
I’ve been a terrible human being, I know!
But, today we are going to rectify my appalling oversight, because with Halloween and the holidays right around the corner, everyone could use a decadent, delicious dessert in their recipe arsenal!
About this Chocolate Tiramisu recipe
This easy trifle is all about the luscious layers!
Crispy Baileys and coffee soaked lady fingers layered with airy, light sweet chocolate whipped cream; rich, decadent, thick chocolate laced mascarpone and delicate, freshly shaved shards of bittersweet chocolate.
This chocolate tiramisu is a delicate balance of chocolate lovers dessert meets classic tiramisu!
And, in just two words, this tiramisu recipe is sinfully delicious!!!
Crazy easy to make, egg-free, and either boozy or alcohol-free depending on who you are serving, this easy, chocolatey tiramisu NEEDS to make an appearance on your table!
And honestly, while this trifle is perfect for potlucks and parties, it isn’t just for entertaining. I mean, Boy would definitely say it serves just one since he ate it all and absolutely refused to share!
A quick note: While this tiramisu does require preparing a few layers, all of the steps are very simple to follow and stress-free to execute!!
What is tiramisu?
Tiramisu is a sweet, coffee-flavored, layered dessert made with ladyfingers dipped in coffee, mascarpone, sugar and cocoa powder. While authentic tiramisu recipes include eggs, this easy chocolate tiramisu is eggless!
As well, tiramisu can be made with or without the addition of alcohol. This tiramisu trifle recipe is no different and can be prepared with alcohol for a boozy adult treat, or without alcohol if serving children.
Where does the dessert tiramisu originate?
While the exact origin of Tiramisu is a debated subject, most accounts point to the sweet dessert originating during the 1960s in the Veneto region of Italy at the restaurant Le Beccherie.
The assumed creator of Tiramisu is an even sketchier topic. While the owner of Le Beccherie, Roberto Linguanotto, claims to have been the first creator of tiramisu, Carminantonio Iannaccone, a baker who sold the dessert to the restaurant, claims he is the creator.
What does tiramisu mean in english?
Tiramisu, pronounced ti.ra.mi-su, means “cheer me up” or “pick me up” in english.
FAQs: Chocolate Tiramisu
What kind of liquor can I use in this recipe?
While you can make tiramisu without alcohol, if you are looking to make a boozy sweet treat, I highly recommend adding alcohol to your tiramisu!
The most commonly used alcohol in tiramisu are either sweet Marsala or Madeira wine. However, you can use a variety of sweet spirits in tiramisu, from dessert wines, rum, brandy or flavored liquors such as orange or chocolate liquor.
The recipe for this chocolate tiramisu calls for Baileys, but you can substitute Kahlua or Irish Cream if desired, or you can go rouge and use whatever type of dessert wine or liquor your heart desires!
Can I make this chocolate tiramisu recipe in advance?
Yes, tiramisu can be made in advance! In fact, this chocolate tiramisu trifle tastes better if allowed to sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to give time for the lady fingers to soften.
You can make chocolate tiramisu 1-2 days in advance. Keep the tiramisu tightly covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.
How long does tiramisu with chocolate last?
Store leftover chocolate tiramisu tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it will keep for up to 4 days total before going bad.
Tips for the best chocolate tiramisu
- For the best chocolate whipped cream, use a metal mixing bowl and place the bowl and the beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes prior to using. The chocolate whipped cream can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- When whisking the mascarpone, be careful not to over-whisk, or the mixture will curdle.
- To make this easy chocolate tiramisu trifle non-alcoholic, nix the Baileys and increase the strong brewed coffee to 1 ¾ cup.
- Make sure you dip the ladyfingers into the coffee mixture as you are layering them. Do not dip them in advance!
- Tiramisu can will keep in the fridge, and can be made up to 2 days in advance and can be kept for up to 4. Do not garnish until ready to serve.
Creamy, chocolatey, easy to make and easily customizable, this Chocolate Tiramisu dessert is perfect for potlucks, entertaining, or simply for serving your family! If you are a fan of the classic Italian Tiramisu, you are going to absolutely love this creamy-dreamy unique chocolate trifle!
Until next week, friends, cheers – to a little coffee pick me up in the form of dessert!
Cheyanne
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The best Chocolate Tiramisu Trifle recipe👇
Easy Chocolate Tiramisu Trifle
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Heavy Cream , very cold
- 3 TBS Cocoa Powder , divided + more for dusting top
- 7 TBS Confectioner’s Sugar , divided
- 16 ounces Mascarpone , slightly softened
- 5 ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate , melted (about a heaping ½ cup morsels)
- 5 TBS Baileys , divided (can substitute Kahlua or Irish Cream)
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup Cool Whip , thawed if frozen
- 1 ¼ Cup Strong Brewed Coffee *at room temperature
- 1 TBS Granulated Sugar
- 7 ounces Ladyfinger Cookie or Savoiardi about 24 cookies
- 4 ounces Bittersweet Chocolate , at room temperature – shaved or grated; divided
Optional Garnish: Shaved Chocolate, Fresh Strawberries or Raspberries
Instructions
- For the chocolate whipped cream: In a metal mixing bowl*, add the heavy cream, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and ¼ cup confectioner’s sugar. Beat with a handheld mixer for 4 minutes, or until medium-stiff peaks form. Set aside in the refrigerator.
- For the mascarpone filling: In a large bowl, gently fold the mascarpone with melted chocolate, 3 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar, 1 tablespoon Baileys (or coffee if non-alcoholic), and vanilla extract until JUST combined.* Gently fold in the cool whip. Set aside.
- For the ladyfingers: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the coffee, granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder and ¼ cup Baileys. Set aside.
- Assemble the trifle: Dip a third of the ladyfingers (about 7-8 depending on the size of your bowl) into the coffee mixture, soaking both sides*. Arrange the soaked lady fingers in a single layer in the bottom of a 3 qt. trifle, or glass bowl, breaking the lady fingers if necessary to fit. Top with a third of the mascarpone mixture and gently spread to smooth. Sprinkle with a third of the shaved chocolate. Top with a third of the chocolate whipped cream and spread to smooth. Repeat layers two more times.
- To serve: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow ladyfingers to soften. Dust with cocoa powder and top with chocolate shavings if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- For the best chocolate whipped cream, use a metal mixing bowl and place the bowl and the beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes prior to using. Chocolate whipped cream can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- When whisking the mascarpone, be careful not to over-whisk, or the mixture will curdle.
- To make this easy chocolate tiramisu trifle non-alcoholic, nix the Baileys and increase the strong brewed coffee to 1 1/2 cup.
- Make sure you dip the ladyfingers into the coffee mixture as you are layering them. Do not dip them in advance!
- Tiramisu can will keep in the fridge, and can be made up to 2 days in advance and can be kept for up to 4. Do not garnish until ready to serve.
Nutrition
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Why cool whip and not just make plain whipped cream?
Hi Christina,
The recipe calls for Cool Whip for a couple reasons. One, because this is a recipe for easy chocolate tiramisu and Cool Whip is a convenient time saver. Also, Cool Whip is thicker than homemade whipped cream and it holds up much better to heat and sitting out at room temperature. However, you can absolutely use homemade whipped cream made with heavy cream and sugar if you want to take that extra step! Cheers and warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season! 🙂
Was worth a try, delicious! I found when cooking some components were bitter-sweet so I added more sugar, defiantly helped. Also I’m not a big fan of Bailey’s so I used Kahlúa, however is not as strong in flavour as Bailey’s so I added a lot more where it wasn’t too strong or dull.
Do I use unsweetened cocoa powder?
Hi, Wanda! I use Hershey’s 100% Natural Unsweetened Cocoa. Cheers and warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season! 🙂
Recipe says … 1 1/4 brewed coffee . Is that cups or what? Thanks this looks soooooo good!
Hi Linda! I am so sorry for my oversight and the error in the recipe. It is 1 1/4 cups of strong brewed coffee. Thank you for pointing that out!! I have corrected it in the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! I am always here to help. Cheers and thank you so much for stopping by!! 🙂
I’ve been looking for a dessert for Thanksgiving, Cheyanne and I think this is it! Love that I can make it ahead. Will have to go the no alcohol route since kids will be eating this as well. This will be a big hit – love how easy it is to make too.
Ohhh my – YUM! I bet it tastes just as good as your photo of it! Tiramisu is a classic yet decadent dessert, can’t wait to give a try!
wow This is the BEST tiramisu trifle I have ever seen! Wish I could dig right in now 🙂
Your timing is perfect! I’ve been craving tiramisu for WEEKS and now you’ve given me two perfect reasons to make it. One: your version sounds incredible. Two: I have a beautiful trifle dish that I’ve had for 3(!!!) years that I’ve never used. So excited!
p.s. Swooning over those process pics!
I LOVE tiramisu and the addition of chocolate makes me love it even more. Um and Baileys? That’s definitely gonna happen. This looks SO GOOD, Chey! I don’t blame Boy for not sharing :). Have a great weekend!
Tiramisu is one of Tom’s favorite desserts. What a fabulous dessert for the upcoming holidays Chey! I love that you did it trifle style. I can’t wait to give this one a try! Happy weekend ahead!
Tiramisu is one of my favourites, so I’m loving this trifle version! And easy is always good 🙂 Can’t wait to try this.
Say WHAT?!! 20 months without a new dessert? Did you mean “weeks” by any chance? Because I cannot believe it (Probably cause you’ve posted plenty of your famous luscious (dessert-kind) fancy coctails which made me drunk). Anyway, this is the most shocking news I’ve heard from you. That’s good that you’ve brought a Tiramisu Trifle (Meaning: it would be easier to forgive you). And importantly, there’s Baileys here (Meaning: 20 months? Oh no worries, I’m 100% fine with that!) But just between us, you no that Baileys isn’t optional here, right?