Christmas Tiramisu

Name: Christmas Tiramisu
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 95 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: Eggs (about 4 medium) at room temperature 7.8 oz; Sugar &frac23; cup; Type 00 flour ½ cup; Potato starch 6 ½ tbsp; Mascarpone cheese 1 cup; Sugar 6.8 tbsp; Water 5 tsp; Egg yolks (about 3 medium eggs) 2 ½ tbsp; Fresh liquid cream 2 ½ tbsp; Gelatin in sheets 0.25 oz; Coffee 4 tbsp; Fresh liquid cream ½ cup; Sugar 2 ½ tsp; Unsweetened cocoa powder 4 tbsp; Colored candies chocolate flavored 5; Biscotti chocolate coated 2

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Difficulty: Average
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 45 min
Serving: 6
Cost: Low
Note + the time for the cream to set in the fridge (30 min.)

PRESENTATION

Christmas tiramisu? It's like a bit of Italian holiday magic at the table, really bringing Veneto's classic flavors mixed with some festive cheer. Instead of the usual ladyfinger cookies, this festive tiramisu dessert uses fluffy pan di Spagna, shaped like a snowman—super cute and delicious for any holiday gathering. The moist layers soak up all that coffee goodness, giving each bite that familiar, sweet flavor, while the mascarpone cream stays tender and rich—just what you'd expect from a traditional Italian tiramisu. And folks in Italy, well, they get super creative during the holidays. And it's pretty common to see Christmas tiramisu show up as a centerpiece, surrounded by family, friends, and a lot of laughter. And you know what? Sometimes you’ll see fun twists, like swapping in pandoro or adding Baileys or berries for a little extra kick.

When everyone gathers, the snowman-shaped Christmas tiramisu practically begs for everyone, especially the kids, to join in making it. It’s the kind of easy Christmas dessert that brings everyone together—whether it’s Christmas Eve or just a cozy dinner. The golden sponge cake base gives a soft texture, while the mascarpone keeps everything creamy and smooth, so you get the perfect mix in every forkful. Seriously good.

But look, it’s not just about the taste. This holiday tiramisu recipe makes a fun and eye-catching centerpiece that everyone wants to dig into. In Veneto, people love adding their own touches, and seasonal tiramisu versions pop up with things like Baileys or fresh fruit, showing how this mascarpone dessert keeps evolving. Whether you keep it traditional or try a twist, you end up with a light, flavorful treat that captures the holiday spirit—and, since it’s a no-bake dessert, you don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen.

It’s the kind of food that gets everyone smiling, really really bringing the joy of the season to life. Can't go wrong.

INGREDIENTS

for a 12x16 inch pan: Eggs 7.8 oz (220 g) - (about 4 medium) at room temperature; Sugar ⅔ cup (125 g); Type 00 flour ½ cup (70 g); Potato starch 6 ½ tbsp (60 g)

For the mascarpone cream: Mascarpone cheese 1 cup (250 g); Sugar 6.8 tbsp (85 g); Water 5 tsp (25 g); Egg yolks 2 ½ tbsp (40 g) - (about 3 medium eggs); Fresh liquid cream 2 ½ tbsp (40 g); Gelatin in sheets 0.25 oz (6 g)

For the soaking syrup: Coffee 4 tbsp (60 g)

For decoration: Fresh liquid cream ½ cup (100 g); Sugar 2 ½ tsp (10 g); Unsweetened cocoa powder 4 tbsp (20 g); Colored candies 5 - chocolate flavored; Biscotti 2 - chocolate coated

Preparation

How to prepare Christmas Tiramisu

To prepare the Christmas Tiramisu, start with the sponge cake: in the bowl of a stand mixer (or a bowl with hand mixers), add the eggs 1 and sugar 2, then start to whisk for about 15 minutes 3.

When the mixture has tripled in volume and creates ribbons when the beaters are lifted 4, add the previously sifted flour and cornstarch 5. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the mixture using a spatula, making upward movements 6.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured 12x16 inch pan, leveling the surface carefully with a spatula 7. Bake in a preheated static oven at 320°F for about 40 minutes 8. Once the sponge cake is golden, remove from the oven and let cool 9.

Meanwhile, soak the gelatin sheets for the mascarpone cream and prepare the Pâte à bombe: in a steel saucepan, pour the water 10 and sugar 11. Place over the heat and monitor the temperature with a thermometer; it should reach 250°F 12.

When the syrup reaches 239°F, start whisking the egg yolks in a separate bowl 13, then slowly pour in the hot mixture at 250°F 14 while continuing to whisk. Keep whisking until the mixture returns to room temperature, which should take about 15 minutes. If it's still a bit liquid, don't worry 15.

Now place the mascarpone in a bowl, flavor with the seeds from the vanilla bean 16, and add the pâte à bombe 17. Gently mix the mixture with a whisk 18.

Finally, incorporate the gelatin, drained and squeezed, into a small bowl with the hot cream 19. Stir to dissolve completely and add it to the mascarpone cream 20. Transfer the obtained cream into a bowl 21, cover with plastic wrap in contact with the surface, and let rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. For convenience, you can use a piping bag without a nozzle.

You are ready to shape and assemble the dessert: remove the top layer of the sponge cake with a serrated knife 22, then cut out 2 discs with a 6.5 inch cutter and 2 discs with a 4.5 inch cutter 23. With the scraps of sponge cake, cut out the stylized shape of a little hat 34.

On the serving plate, squeeze some dollops of cream to help hold the sponge cake in place 25. Place the first two discs, the smaller one on top and the larger one below 26. Moisten the surface of both with the cold coffee 27.

Cover the discs with the cream 28, then place the other 2 discs on top 29 and moisten these with the coffee as well. At this point, whip the cream with the sugar and cover the entire tiramisu with the whipped cream, using a spatula 30.

Create a stencil from parchment paper by cutting out the shapes of the eyes and smile, then apply it to the smaller disc 31 and dust with cocoa powder. Dust the little hat as well. Finally, complete with chocolate candies to simulate buttons and 2 chocolate-covered cookies for the arms 32. Your Christmas Tiramisu is ready to be served 33!