Matcha tiramisu is a tasty and earthy twist on the classic Italian dessert. You'll usually find this dessert in Kyoto, but you won't need to make the journey to Japan for this anymore.
We've managed to recreate this in our kitchen, and we're about to show you how easy it is to make green tea tiramisu at home.
Our recipe uses the same ingredients as a typical tiramisu but with matcha green tea powder. The matcha adds a unique earthy sweetness to the dessert, and its vibrant green makes it a sight to behold.
So stick with us, and we’ll show you how to make matcha tiramisu with no eggs or alcohol.
Our no bake matcha tiramisu recipe only needs 4 ingredients and takes less than 40 minutes to make. We've also included a few popular customisations so you can swap out ingredients to create your perfect version. Vegan matcha tiramisu, anyone?
You can use this recipe as a starting point and make your own improvisations. It will taste better than anything you can buy.
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What is matcha tiramisu made of?
This green tea tiramisu is made of mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, ladyfingers, and matcha powder.
As this Japanese fusion dessert uses Matcha, it contains caffeine. However, the amount of caffeine in this recipe is relatively low compared to coffee and other drinks.
How many calories are in matcha tiramisu?
Matcha tiramisu contains 400 calories in one serving and is an indulgent dessert.
Matcha tiramisu ingredients
To make matcha tiramisu, you will need ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, and matcha powder. Besides the matcha powder, most of these matcha tiramisu ingredients are inexpensive. You can also easily find them in most grocery stores.
Matcha
When making this dessert, it is best to use culinary-grade matcha powder. This is because it is the most suitable for cooking and baking.
Culinary-grade powder also usually contains more umami and a richer flavour. Meanwhile, the ceremonial-grade version is an excellent option for making a matcha latte or smoothie.
Therefore, culinary-grade matcha is the way to go if you use this Japanese ingredient to make desserts.
Unfortunately, culinary-grade green tea powder is more expensive than the typical ones sold in stores. The culinary-grade powder is characterized by its bright green colour and vibrant taste.
Avoid green tea powder that is a dull green or a yellow-green colour as this might contain other filler ingredients such as milk powder or sugar that can change the flavour of the dessert.
If you're not making many green tea desserts, we recommend buying a smaller size to start off.
Heavy cream
Heavy cream is a key ingredient in this recipe, adding richness and creaminess to the dessert. It is best to use heavy cream that has at least 35% fat content. This is because the higher the fat content, the thicker the cream and the more stable the final product.
If you can't find heavy cream, you can use store-bought whipped cream, but it won't have the same texture.
Whipped cream is much lighter and airier than heavy cream. We also found that whipped cream tasted less creamy. Therefore, it won't provide the same traditional decadence for this dessert.
Ladyfingers
You have a few options for ladyfingers. For a more traditional version, use thinner, crunchier Italian-style ladyfingers.
If you prefer a chunkier texture, opt for the French style. Some stores may also carry homestyle ladyfingers, which are thicker and chewier.
Mascarpone cheese
The full-fat version is the best type of mascarpone cheese to use in this Green tea dessert. It has the creamiest texture and the most decadent flavour. It is also the most traditional option for this Japanese fusion cake.
Avoid using low-fat or non-fat mascarpone cheese, for this will affect the overall taste of the dessert.
Optional ingredients
If you're looking to add it bit more depth and a twist in flavour, here is how to make matcha tiramisu even more decadent.
Eggs
Adding eggs to the recipe can make this green tea dessert richer and more decadent. If you use a higher-fat mascarpone, as our recipe recommends, you can also add two to three egg yolks.
It is important to whisk the eggs over simmering water before adding them to the mixture. Make sure to whisk quickly to prevent them from curdling. We recommend using a hand-held mixer for this task. Mixing for too long at temperatures above 71 C will scramble the eggs.
We know this part can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, so we made our matcha tiramisu no egg required.
Marsala wine
A splash of Marsala wine can enhance the flavour of this Japanese fusion green tea dessert. It adds a sweet, nutty complexity that will delight your taste buds. When adding Marsala wine to the recipe, it is best to use a dry variety and only add about two tablespoons.
Too much Marsala wine can make the dessert overly sweet and too alcoholic. Take note of this since this is a no bake matcha tiramisu recipe. Therefore, there is no heat involved which will cook off or reduce the alcohol.
If you don't have Marsala wine, you can substitute other sweet liqueurs. Amaretto, Madeira wine, Port wine, and Kahlua are excellent substitutes. The difference between them is the flavour.
Amaretto will add a subtle almond essence, while Madeira wine has a sweet and nutty flavour. Similarly, Port wine has a raisin-like taste, and Kahlua will give the dessert a hint of coffee flavour.
Strawberries
You can also make this a strawberry matcha tiramisu for an extra hit of sweetness and colour. Adding strawberries to the dessert will give it a lovely pink hue.
Similar to a strawberry matcha latte and smoothie, strawberries' tart yet sweet flavour will complement the earthy matcha flavour nicely.
If you want to add strawberries to your dessert, make sure you use fresh ones.
You can add chopped strawberries to the filling or use them as a garnish. However, avoid adding too many strawberries to your filling mixtures. This is because the added moisture will make your strawberry matcha tiramisu too soggy.
Espresso
To add an extra depth of flavour, you can consider adding a shot of espresso to this Japanese fusion cake recipe.
Adding some espresso can give the dessert an extra layer of complexity. In addition, it can bring out the flavour of the matcha powder, making the dessert even more delicious.
Make sure to keep the amount of espresso used to a minimum. It will overpower the delicate flavours of the match and can make the dessert too bitter.
You can also soak the ladyfingers in coffee like in the traditional recipe, creating a mocha layer in the dessert.
How to make vegan matcha tiramisu
You can make vegan matcha tiramisu with a few basic adjustments to the ingredient. If you swap out the ingredients for vegan alternatives, you'll have a guilt-free yet decadent treat.
For example, you can switch mascarpone cheese with vegan cream cheese. You can also use a plant-based milk alternative to replace the heavy cream, such as coconut or oat milk.
When using a plant-based dairy alternative, it is vital to ensure that you pick a full-fat variety. Doing this ensures that the dessert has the same richness and creaminess as the traditional version.
There are vegan-friendly ladyfingers in stores. However, if you can't find them, you can make your own using white flour and aquafaba.
Fortunately, Matcha powder is already vegan friendly. Also, you won’t need an egg replacer for this matcha tiramisu. No egg is necessary for this recipe.
Matcha tiramisu cooking tips
How do I get beautiful layers?
Use a shallow dish to ensure you get beautiful layers when making this green tea dessert. Doing this will help you get more even layers and make it easier to spread the filling.
When spreading the mascarpone cheese-heavy cream mixture, use an offset spatula for the best results. Also, press down any air bubbles that appear when spreading the mix to get a smooth and even layer.
Some people even use piping bags to ensure that there are no gaps between layers.
Another tip to ensure you get beautiful layers is to avoid dredging your ladyfingers in too much matcha mixture or coffee. Doing this will make it extremely soggy and cause the layers to mix and break up.
Lastly, allow the layered green tea dessert to set and chill for at least 4 hours overnight before serving.
Not only will this result in excellent layers, but it will also allow the flavours to develop and come together. Plus, it makes it easier to cut and serve.
Why is my matcha tiramisu cream runny instead of fluffy?
If your cream is runny instead of fluffy, it likely means that you need to beat it more. Whip the cream on medium-high speed for at least three minutes, but ensure you don't overwhip it.
You want to stop when the whisk or beaters leave soft mounds of cream still holding their shape. If you keep whisking, the cream can become too runny and unable to support the dessert.
Another reason your cream might be runny is that you might have used too much heavy cream.
To fix this, add more mascarpone cheese to the mixture to thicken it up. You can also try using a whisk or hand mixer on low speed to incorporate more air into the mix.
How do I avoid overcooking the ladyfingers?
If you’re planning to buy ladyfingers, you can skip this section. However, if you want to make your own ladyfingers keep reading.
Ladyfingers cook pretty quickly. It is advisable to bake them for at most 10 to 12 minutes. The key is to bake them until golden brown and slightly soft to the touch.
Overcooked ladyfingers can become hard, dry, and brittle. They also cannot hold the mascarpone cheese mixture in place very well. This results in a soggy, uneven layer that we want to avoid.
How many layers of ladyfingers do I need?
The number of layers you choose to make will depend on the size of your dish and how much filling you have. Generally, two to three layers are enough, but you can make more if desired. Each layer should be thin and even.
As a guide, you can aim for at least ¼ inch between each layer of ladyfingers. Adding more layers will also increase the time it takes for the tiramisu to set.
Easy Matcha Tiramisu Recipe (No Egg or Alcohol)
Ingredients
Cookie layer
- 30 ladyfingers
- ½ tablespoon culinary-grade matcha powder
- ½ cup hot water
Mascarpone layer
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
- ⅓ cup sugar
Garnish
- 2 tbsps matcha powder (for dusting)
Equipment
Instructions
- Mix mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, sugar, and matcha powder until soft peaks form. Set your mixture aside.
- Combine hot water and matcha powder in a bowl. Lightly dip both sides of each ladyfinger in the matcha bowl and set aside. Avoid soaking the ladyfingers all the way through.
- Assemble your cookie layer by putting your ladyfingers in your dish. Cut the ladyfingers if they do not fit into the container to ensure an even layer.
- Scoop the mascarpone cheese mixture over the ladyfingers and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Continue layering for another 2 layers or until you reach the top of your dish.
- Let your matcha tiramisu set and chill for 4 hours overnight in your refrigerator. Serve with a dusting of matcha powder.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories have been calculated using an online calculator. Nutritional information offered on Honest Food Talks is for general information purposes and are only rough estimations.
If you liked this recipe, try out our dirty matcha recipe or Dalgona green tea. Follow us on Instagram at @honestfoodtalks. We post new recipes daily.
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