Cherry Tiramisu

Summer is coming to an end, and I am more excited that I normally am to welcome all the warm fall flavors (and the cooler weather!) Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE summer. I know I’ve mentioned that here a few times, but this is the first year in a while where I don’t feel like pumpkin spice season wasn’t just last week! Maybe it’s because I have a kid now? Whatever the reason, your girl is ready. But while it’s still summer, let’s get into another great summer recipe!

When I can’t fall asleep right away, I often think of new flavor combinations or just ones that I haven’t explored yet. That’s where this dessert came from. I put the flavors of cherry and coffee in my head and after thinking about it for a couple more days I thought, why not turn it into Tiramisu? And let me tell you, it works. Mascarpone, coffee, and a saucy cherry compote blend together perfectly for a light summer dessert. I use fresh cherries when they’re available, but frozen cherries work just as well here.

Cherry Tiramisu

Yield 4 ramekins

Cherry compote

Cherries, pitted 4 cups

Sugar 1/3 cup

Lemon juice 1 lemon

Pectin 2 tsp

Mascarpone Whip

Mascarpone 1 cup

Cream 1 ½ cups

Sugar 3 Tbsp.

Vanilla 1 tsp

Salt 1/4 tsp

Lady Fingers 8

Coffee 1 cup

Cocoa powder for dusting 1/4 cup

 

Directions:

Make the cherry compote first. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pot and stir to coat everything. Cook cherries on medium heat for about 30 minutes, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Set aside to cool completely before the next step.

To make the mascarpone whipped cream, combine all ingredients in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Whip on medium speed to stiff peaks. Transfer to a piping bag.

Have your coffee ready and cooled to start assembly.

To assemble, pipe mascarpone in first. Quickly dunk 2 halves of lady fingers in coffee, then place in your ramekin or glass. Spoon over some cherry compote. Repeat with one more round of mascarpone, lady finger, and cherry compote. To finish, place one last layer of just mascarpone, then dust the top with cocoa powder. To garnish, place a fresh cherry. Chill these for 8 hours or overnight before serving. Happy baking!