Black Forest Tiramisu Recipe – Simple Holiday Dessert

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This Black Forest Tiramisu is a festive twist on the classic Italian dessert, combining rich chocolate, creamy mascarpone, and juicy cherries layered with delicate ladyfingers. Served in elegant glasses, it’s an easy yet impressive holiday dessert that’s perfect for Christmas, family gatherings, or special occasions. No baking required, just simple steps and luxurious flavors in every spoonful.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Ladyfinger Layer

Ladyfingers, as needed (to fit your serving glasses)
A small amount of brewed coffee, optional (for lightly soaking some ladyfingers)

Homemade Chocolate Sauce

100 ml milk (about ½ cup)
100 ml whipping cream (about ½ cup)
1 vanilla bean, split
180 g semi-sweet dark chocolate (about 6.3 oz), chopped

Mascarpone Cream

250 g mascarpone cheese (about 9 oz)
250 ml whipping cream (1 cup)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
30 g sugar (about 2½ tablespoons, optional but recommended)

Cherry Topping

190 g cherries (about 6.7 oz), frozen or canned, drained
125 ml water (½ cup)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for aroma)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Chocolate Sauce
In a small saucepan, heat the milk, whipping cream, and vanilla bean over medium heat until just beginning to steam. Remove from heat, discard the vanilla bean, and add the chopped dark chocolate. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy. Set aside to cool slightly.
Make the Cherry Topping
In another saucepan, combine cherries and water. Bring to a gentle simmer. Mix the cornstarch with a little cold water, then stir it into the cherries. Cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and add almond extract if using. Let cool completely.
Prepare the Mascarpone Cream
In a bowl, whip the whipping cream until soft peaks form. In a separate bowl, mix mascarpone cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until light and creamy.
Assemble the Tiramisu
Lightly dip some ladyfingers into coffee if using. Place a layer of ladyfingers at the bottom of each serving glass. Add a spoonful of chocolate sauce, followed by a layer of mascarpone cream and a layer of cherry topping.
Repeat the Layers
Continue layering ladyfingers, chocolate sauce, mascarpone cream, and cherries until the glasses are filled. Finish with mascarpone cream on top.
Chill and Serve
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with chocolate shavings and a cherry on top if desired.

Time, Servings, and Nutrition

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: Approximately 468 calories per serving

Why This Recipe Is a Great Choice

This Black Forest Tiramisu offers a balanced dessert experience with creamy dairy, antioxidant-rich dark chocolate, and fruit-based sweetness from cherries. It’s a no-bake recipe that saves time while still delivering a rich, indulgent flavor perfect for holiday celebrations.

Black Forest Tiramisu

This festive twist on the classic Italian dessert combines rich chocolate, creamy mascarpone, and juicy cherries layered with delicate ladyfingers, making it perfect for the holidays.

Ladyfinger Layer

as needed Ladyfingers (to fit your serving glasses)
as needed Brewed coffee (optional for lightly soaking some ladyfingers)

Homemade Chocolate Sauce

100 ml Milk (about ½ cup)
100 ml Whipping cream (about ½ cup)
1 Vanilla bean (split)
180 g Semi-sweet dark chocolate (about 6.3 oz, chopped)

Mascarpone Cream

250 g Mascarpone cheese (about 9 oz)
250 ml Whipping cream (1 cup)
1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
30 g Sugar (about 2½ tablespoons, optional but recommended)

Cherry Topping

190 g Cherries (about 6.7 oz, frozen or canned, drained)
125 ml Water (½ cup)
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
1 teaspoon Almond extract (optional, for aroma)

Prepare the Chocolate Sauce

In a small saucepan, heat the milk, whipping cream, and vanilla bean over medium heat until just beginning to steam. Remove from heat, discard the vanilla bean, and add the chopped dark chocolate. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy. Set aside to cool slightly.

Make the Cherry Topping

In another saucepan, combine cherries and water. Bring to a gentle simmer. Mix the cornstarch with a little cold water, then stir it into the cherries. Cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and add almond extract if using. Let cool completely.

Prepare the Mascarpone Cream

In a bowl, whip the whipping cream until soft peaks form. In a separate bowl, mix mascarpone cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until light and creamy.

Assemble the Tiramisu

Lightly dip some ladyfingers into coffee if using. Place a layer of ladyfingers at the bottom of each serving glass. Add a spoonful of chocolate sauce, followed by a layer of mascarpone cream and a layer of cherry topping.