🍫Light Chocolate Tiramisu Inspired by Classic Tiramisu

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Atsuko
Chocolate tiramisu strawberries flowers
Author Profile Image

Atsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

This year, while talking in the kitchen about what to make for Valentine’s Day, my younger daughter suddenly suggested, “How about chocolate tiramisu?” Since she loves both chocolate and tiramisu, she didn’t need much convincing.😊 She had recently made a matcha tiramisu topped with strawberries for a friend’s birthday, and that gave us the idea to decorate this version with heart-shaped strawberries.🍓 This chocolate tiramisu is inspired by my classic tiramisu recipe, which I have already shared on this website. By combining dark chocolate with mascarpone and gently folding in whipped egg whites, the result is surprisingly light and not overly sweet. It looks rich, but the texture is airy and refreshing—perfect not only for Valentine’s Day❤️, but for any occasion.✨
Expense
💵
Preparation
30 mins
Baking time
Rest Time

Ingredients

Cooking time: 25–30 minutes (cooling time not included)
Ingredients:

For 4-6 people:

  • 250 g Mascarpone
  • 2 Eggs
  • 40 g of Sugar
  • 60–70 g of Dark Chocolate (60–70% Cocoa)
  • 100 g of Ladyfingers (about 12 pieces)
  • About 200 ml of Strong Black Coffee, Brewed and Cooled
  • Cocoa Powder, for Dusting
  • Strawberries, for Garnish (If available)
How to make it:

1/ Wash the Strawberries:Gently wash the strawberries and pat them dry with paper towels. Since they are for decoration, chilling them in the refrigerator will help them look fresher and neater when serving.

2/ Melt the Chocolate: Place the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Melt it over a double boiler or in the microwave at low power. Once smooth, let it cool to lukewarm. Do not add it while hot, as it may cause the mascarpone to separate.

3/ Prepare the Egg Yolk Cream: Separate the eggs into two bowls, placing the yolks in one and the whites in the other. Add 40 g of sugar to the egg yolks and whisk until pale and slightly thickened. Add the mascarpone and mix until smooth and free of lumps.

egg yolk sugar

mascarpone egg york sugar

4/ Add the Chocolate: Gradually add the cooled melted chocolate to the mascarpone mixture, mixing well after each addition until smooth and evenly combined.

melted chocolate added into mascarpone cream

chocolate and mascarpone cream

5/ Make the Meringue: In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites. Gradually add the remaining sugar while whisking, and continue beating until glossy, stiff peaks form.

meringe

6/ Fold in the Meringue: Add the meringue to the chocolate mascarpone cream in 2–3 additions. Gently fold it in using a spatula, lifting from the bottom to keep as much air as possible in the mixture.

meringue added into chocolate cream

Chocolate and meringue

7/ Cut the Ladyfingers: Trim the ladyfingers to fit the size of your serving glasses or dish.

lady fingers

8/ Assemble: Spoon a small amount of chocolate cream into the bottom of each glass (glass containers are recommended). Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the cooled coffee for about 1 second, then arrange them over the cream. Add another layer of chocolate cream. Repeat the layers, finishing with cream on top.

chocolate cream

lady finger with coffee

chocolate cream

9/ Chill: Smooth the surface, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours, preferably overnight. Chilling allows the flavors to blend and the texture to set properly.

10/ Finish: Just before serving, dust lightly with cocoa powder using a fine sieve. Decorate with heart-shaped strawberries and serve 🍓

cocoa on the chocolate tiramisu

🍓 How to Cut a Strawberry into a Heart (Using One Strawberry)

Remove the stem. Cut a small V-shape at the top of the strawberry. Slice it in half lengthwise to create a heart shape.

a strawberry

cut a strawberry

4 glasses of chocolate tiramisu flowers spoon

🌟 Tips for a Light and Elegant Finish 🌟

⭐️ Let the Chocolate Cool Completely: If the melted chocolate is still hot, it can loosen or separate the mascarpone. Allow it to cool to lukewarm before adding it to the cream for a smooth, stable texture.🍫

⭐️ Dip the Ladyfingers Quickly: A quick 1-second dip in the coffee is enough. Soaking them too long can make the dessert watery. The slight bitterness of the coffee balances the sweetness beautifully.

⭐️ Keep the Texture Light: Whip the meringue until glossy and stiff peaks form. When folding it into the cream, gently lift from the bottom with a spatula to keep as much air as possible. This helps the tiramisu stay light and refreshing, even with chocolate.

⭐️ Make It the Day Before: Chilling the tiramisu thoroughly allows the flavors to blend and the texture to set smoothly. It’s perfect for entertaining or preparing ahead for Valentine’s Day.💖

⭐️ Adjust the Sweetness to Your Taste: You can easily adjust the sweetness. For a more bittersweet flavor, choose dark chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage and slightly reduce the sugar in the egg yolk mixture. If you prefer it sweeter, increase the sugar by 5–10 g or use a less bitter chocolate for a softer, rounder sweetness.🩷

⭐️You may also enjoy these tiramisu recipes:

👉Classic Tiramisu: Tiramisu Classico

👉Lemon Tiramisu: Lemon Tiramisu – Light and Creamy Italian Dessert🍋

👉Cherry Tiramisu: No-Bake Cherry Tiramisu: Fresh & Easy 🍒

👉Matcha Tiramisu: 🍵 Matcha Tiramisu : A Simple Japanese-Inspired Dessert

Discover more on Umami Sans Frontières ✨

a Chocolate tiramisu

Umami Sans Frontières – Copyrights 2026
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Written byAtsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

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