Ube Tiramisu

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This Ube Tiramisu offers a delightful fusion of traditional Italian flavors with the vibrant and delicious taste of ube. It’s a perfect dessert for special occasions or whenever you’re craving a sweet and indulgent treat with an exciting twist. Made with no eggs and taste just as amazing as traditional Tiramisu.

Ube Tiramisu is a delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert, incorporating the rich and vibrant flavors of ube (purple yam). This dessert combines the creamy goodness of mascarpone cheese with layers of soft ladyfinger cookies soaked in a fragrant ube-infused mixture. Here’s how to make this delicious treat:

Why make this?

Unique flavor: Combining ube extract with coffee or espresso captures a both vanilla and marshmallow-flavored coffee taste with each bite. The ube mascarpone filling will make each bite taste like heaven.

Vibrant purple color. Unlike the classic tiramisu recipe this recipe yields a beautiful purple eye-catching dessert. Perfect to bring to parties are to enjoy at home with family.

Great for parties. The recipe can make a different sizes, you can upscale or down scale. You can even make these in little single served cups so its easy to enjoy at parties or get togethers.

Why I love this recipe?

Elevated with espresso. If you love coffee you can make extra strong coffee and mix it in with the ube extract. It taste so heavenly. If you are making this for young kids who don’t like coffee you can skip the coffee and use water.

Less Sweet. Ideal for mothers and aunts accustomed to less sweet Asian-style cakes. 

No eggs. Eggless tiramisu taste just as great! I use whipping cream instead and the mixture with mascarpone cheese is light and airy.

Ingredients, Substitution and Variations

UBE SOAK:

Strong espresso/coffee. The highest quality coffee will make the this recipe taste better. If coffee is not important you can use instant coffee and mix it with water. Make sure to let the coffee cool down. I like to use my Breville espresso maker to make a nice espresso and add some extra shots. Skip the coffee if you want to make this kid-friendly and use water.

Granulated sugar. I use granulated white sugar but you can use any sugar or alternative and mix it with the hot coffee to dissolve.

Ube extract. This will flavor the coffee and give it the vanilla marshmallow flavor. I buy this at my local Asian super market, but if you are unable to find it check it out here.

UBE CREAM:

Granulated sugar. For the cream I suggest using granulated sugar to help get the whip cream fluffy and reach stiff peak. It will ensure that the ube cream will be light and airy.

Mascarpone cheese. Grab this at your super market. Leave out the mascarphone cheese to bring it to room temperature. This will ensure when mixing in with the  whipped cream and ube extract it incorporates well.

Ube extract. The ube extract will give the ube cream that wonderful purple hue color and give this tiramisu a big kick of flaor with each bite.

Whipping/heavy cream. This needs to be whipping cream. I find that its important to use this so you can get the light and airy texture with out the eggs.

FOR ASSEMBLY:

Ladyfingers. I buy the ladyfingers at my local supermarket. Its fairly easy to find at any local supermarket. You can also make your very own lady fingers at home. You can find a recipe online.

How to make this recipe

MAKE THE UBE CREAM mascarpone Mixture. Add whipping cream to a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed with electric mixers (or use a stand mixer). Slowly add sugar and ube extract and continue to beat until stiff peaks. Add mascarpone cheese and fold in until combined. Set aside.

MAKE THE UBE SOAK. Combined the strong espresso/coffee, granulated sugar, ube extract and mix until smooth. Dip the lady fingers in the ube extract soak (Don’t soak them–just quickly dip them on both sides to get them wet) and lay them in a single layer on the bottom of an 8×8” or similar size pan. 

ASSEMBLE THE UBE Tiramisu. Take half of the ube cream mascarpone mixture and smooth it over the top. Soak more lady fingers into the Ube soak and add another layer of the dipped lady fingers. Take the reminder of the ube cream mascarpone mixture and smooth it over the top

Dust the Ube powder over the top, refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight before serving.

Success tips on making the Ube Tiramisu

1. Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality ingredients, especially when it comes to ube (purple yam) extract or powder. Using fresh ube or reputable ube products will greatly enhance the flavor and color of your tiramisu.
2. Consistency: Achieving the right consistency is key. Ensure that the ube mixture is smooth and lump-free, and the mascarpone mixture is perfectly whipped to a creamy texture.
3. Balance of Flavors: Balance the sweetness of the ube mixture with the coffee-soaked ladyfingers. You want the ube flavor to shine without overpowering the traditional coffee flavor of tiramisu.
4. Coffee Soak: Use a well-brewed coffee or espresso for dipping the ladyfingers. The coffee should be strong but not overly bitter.
5. Layering: Pay attention to the layering of the dessert. Start with a layer of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, followed by the ube mascarpone mixture. Repeat this process to create distinct layers that meld together when chilled.
6. Chill Time: Allow your ube tiramisu to chill in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or, ideally, overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the dessert to set properly.

How to store

Its important to store tiramisu properly as it’s a delicate desert. Enjoy its refrigerated and store in an airtight container to prevent moisture from getting in and absorbing any strong odors. Keep it flat  to maintain the shape and to avoid shifting the layers of the lady fingers.

Best to eat this within 48 hours. But can be kept for up to 3 days, just note that you may see the liquid from the ube coffee soak and the ube mascarpone mixture at the bottom of the container. Feel free to drain it to prevent it from getting soggier.

FAQ

What type of coffee is best for tiramisu?

Strong brewed coffee or espresso is ideal for tiramisu. It should be cooled to room temperature before dipping the ladyfingers. Some recipes also include coffee liqueur for added flavor.

What are ladyfingers, and can I make them at home?

Ladyfingers (savoiardi) are light, sponge cake-like cookies often used in tiramisu. While you can make them at home, they are readily available in many stores. Homemade ladyfingers can be more time-consuming.

How do I prevent my tiramisu from being too soggy?

To avoid a soggy tiramisu, dip the ladyfingers briefly into the coffee mixture, ensuring they soak up some coffee flavor without becoming overly saturated. Arrange them in a single layer, and don’t soak them for too long.

Can I make tiramisu in advance?

Yes, tiramisu is a dessert that should be made in advance. It actually tastes better after a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator, as it allows the flavors to meld and the dessert to set.

Can I freeze tiramisu?

It’s generally not recommended to freeze tiramisu, as freezing can alter its texture and affect its overall quality. Freshly made tiramisu is preferred.

Can I use another cheese instead of mascarpone?

While mascarpone is the traditional cheese used in tiramisu, you can experiment with alternatives like cream cheese or ricotta if you prefer. However, keep in mind that the flavor and texture may vary. I have personally not tried making tiramusu with other cheeses. 

Can I make tiramisu without alcohol?

Yes, you can make tiramisu without alcohol by omitting coffee liqueur or any other alcoholic ingredient. It will still be delicious and suitable for all ages

Can you freeze tiramisu?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze ube tiramisu. Wrap the ube tiramisu in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

If you enjoyed this recipe check out my other ube recipes

Ube Butter Mochi. Soft and chewy bite each and every time.

Ube Milk Tea. Made with pearls and is great to drink on a hot summer day.

Ube Cinnamon Rolls. This is great to make for parties. Easy to share!

Ube Horchata. Unique drink that needs planning to make but this will surely give your taste buds a light vanilla flavor.

Ube Brownies. Purple squares that will make any guest wanting more.

Ube Mochi Donuts. Cute donuts without the deep frying. This can be baked and enjoyed with in 1 hour.

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