Strawberry Tiramisu: A Light Fruity No Bake Dessert for Summer Parties

Strawberry Tiramisu

If you love strawberry shortcake, this Strawberry Tiramisu takes that flavor to a whole new level. It is a no bake dessert that layers a strawberry cream cheese filling, fresh strawberries, softly whipped cream, and ladyfingers dipped in orange juice. Everything chills together into one cool, creamy slice that tastes like two favorite desserts decided to share a pan.

It is easy to pull together for spring and summer entertaining, Mother’s Day brunch, or any warm weather party where you would rather not heat up the kitchen.

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One batch makes 16 servings, takes about 25 minutes of prep, and then chills for at least 6 hours. This version is adapted from the original Strawberry Shortcake Tiramisu, and it keeps all the fresh berry flavor that makes it a warm weather favorite.

Strawberry Tiramisu Ingredients

The ingredient list is short and mostly everyday, which is part of why this dessert is so friendly for a busy week. Here is what each one brings to the pan.

• Strawberries. Fresh, ripe berries give the best flavor. Skip frozen here, since the texture really matters in the layers.
• Sugar. Granulated sugar sweetens the berries. Brown sugar also works as a swap if that is what you have in the pantry.
• Lemon juice. Freshly squeezed or bottled, either one is fine. It helps the berries release their juices and form that glossy syrup.
• Cream cheese. Use full fat. It blends the creamiest and costs less than mascarpone, which is the classic tiramisu cheese.
• Strawberry preserves. Make your own or grab a jar at the store. Melted preserves add color and a deeper berry taste.
• Whipped cream. Homemade whipped cream gives the best flavor, but whipped topping is fine too.
• Vanilla. Use real vanilla, not imitation, so the cream tastes clean and sweet.
• Ladyfingers. Cubes of pound cake or angel food cake can step in if you cannot find them.
• Orange juice. This is what you drizzle over the ladyfingers. Apple juice or coffee also works.

Want a deeper look at the whole layered dessert? The strawberry tiramisu recipe walks through it step by step.

How to Make Strawberry Tiramisu

Start with the berries. Slice them into a large bowl, add the granulated sugar and the lemon juice, and toss to coat. Then walk away for a few minutes.

The sugar pulls juice out of the strawberries and creates a shiny syrup, which is exactly what you want spooned between the layers. This is the step that makes the whole dessert taste fresh instead of flat.

Next, whip the cream. In a cold bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with the powdered sugar and real vanilla until stiff peaks form. Set it aside.

Now the pink filling. Beat the softened cream cheese, sifted powdered sugar, and melted strawberry preserves with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is blended and completely smooth. If you want a brighter pink, add a couple drops of red food coloring.

Then stir in 1/2 cup of the whipped cream to lighten it. Set the rest of the whipped cream aside for layering.

Time to build. Put the ladyfingers in a small bowl and drizzle the orange juice over them so they soften slightly. In a 9 by 9 inch glass baking dish, add the ladyfingers as the first layer.

Spread half of the pink filling over them, add half of the macerated strawberries, then top with half of the whipped cream. Repeat the layers one more time, starting with the ladyfingers.

Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours. If you are short on time, freeze the dessert for one hour to firm up the berries before serving.

PRO TIP: A glass dish lets you see those pretty pink layers, and that quick one hour freeze is your friend when you are racing a dinner party.

Recipe Tips

A few small moves make a big difference here.

• Start with softened cream cheese. Cold cream cheese will fight you and leave lumps, so let it sit on the counter until it gives when you press it.
• Use fresh strawberries. They are usually at their seasonal peak in spring and on into summer, and juicy red berries taste best.
• Plan ahead. The tiramisu needs at least six hours in the fridge, and overnight is even better. The wait is what turns soft layers into a slice that holds together.
• Do not skip the orange juice drizzle. It softens the ladyfingers just enough so they layer like cake instead of cracking.
• Add color if you like. Two drops of red food coloring give the filling that pretty pink look.

If you enjoy cool layered desserts, my no bake strawberry cream cheese pie is another easy one to keep in rotation for hot days.

Ingredients

Here is the full list with exact amounts, grouped the way you will use them. This makes 16 servings.

Strawberry mixture

• 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice

Topping

• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Filling

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons strawberry preserves, melted
• 2 drops red food coloring, optional

Ladyfingers

• 1 package ladyfingers
• 1/4 cup orange juice

A pint of berries gives you fruit in every single bite, and that small spoonful of preserves is what turns the cream cheese pink and berry forward.

The 1 1/2 cups of cream whip up into a generous topping layer, while the 1/2 cup folded into the filling keeps it light instead of heavy. The orange juice is a small amount, but it does real work softening the ladyfingers.

Instructions

1. Macerate the strawberries. In a large bowl, add the sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Toss together and set aside until the natural juices develop.
2. Whip the topping. Whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and pure vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
3. Make the filling. In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and the melted strawberry preserves. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended and smooth. Add the food coloring if you want it pink. Stir in 1/2 cup of the whipped cream, then set the filling aside.
4. Layer and chill. Place the ladyfingers in a small bowl and drizzle them with the orange juice. In a 9 by 9 inch glass baking dish, add the ladyfingers as the first layer, then spread with half of the pink filling. Next add a layer of half of the macerated strawberries, then top with half of the whipped cream. Repeat the steps again starting with the ladyfingers. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours. You can also freeze the dessert for one hour to firm up the berries.

Here is the layer order at a glance, so you can build it without thinking twice.

Slice with a sharp knife and wipe the blade between cuts for cleaner pieces. The long chill is what lets everything settle, so give it the full six hours if you can.

Notes

Softened cream cheese is the one thing I will not skip. Let it sit out until it is truly soft, and your filling will blend into something perfectly creamy with no little lumps.

Fresh, juicy red strawberries make the best version of this dessert. They are usually at their peak in spring and into summer, so this is a great one to make when berries look irresistible at the market.

Plan ahead. The tiramisu must sit in the refrigerator for at least six hours, and overnight is even better. That long chill is what lets the ladyfingers soften and the layers set so each slice holds its shape on the plate.

If you cannot find ladyfingers, cubes of pound cake or angel food cake work well. If you are out of orange juice, apple juice or coffee are both good swaps. For a different take on the same idea, this classic strawberry tiramisu is worth a look.

Recipe details

Prep time is 25 minutes and chill time is 6 hours, so plan on about 6 hours 25 minutes from start to serving. There is no cook time at all, and one batch makes 16 servings.

Per serving, the source nutrition is 217 calories, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of protein, 14 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of fiber, 11 grams of sugar, 70 milligrams of sodium, and 67 milligrams of cholesterol.

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Strawberry Tiramisu

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Strawberry Tiramisu If you love strawberry shortcake, this Strawberry Tiramisu takes that flavor to a whole new level. It is a no bake dessert that layers a strawberry cream cheese filling, fresh strawberries, softly whipped cream, and ladyfingers dipped in orange juice.

• Total Time: 385 min
• Yield: 16 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice

Topping
1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
0.25 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Filling
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
0.5 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons strawberry preserves, melted
2 drops red food coloring

Ladyfingers
1 package ladyfingers
0.25 cup orange juice

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Instructions

1-In a large bowl, add sliced strawberries,: In a large bowl, add sliced strawberries, granulated sugar and lemon juice. Toss together and set aside until natural juices develop.
2-For the topping, whip heavy cream, powdered: For the topping, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar and pure vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
3-For filling, in a large bowl combine: For filling, in a large bowl combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and the melted strawberry preserves; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until blended and smooth. Add food coloring if you desire it to be a pink color. Stir in 1/2 cup of the whipped cream. Set aside.
4-Place ladyfingers in a small bowl then: Place ladyfingers in a small bowl then drizzle with the orange juice. In a 9×9 inch glass baking dish, add ladyfingers as a first layer to the dish then spread with half of the pink filling. Next add a layer of half of the macerated strawberries then top with half of the whipped cream. Repeat the steps again starting with ladyfingers and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours (also freeze for one hour to firm up berries).

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• Prep Time: 25 min
• Method: no_cook

Nutrition

• Calories: 217
• Sugar: 11
• Sodium: 70
• Fat: 14
• Saturated Fat: 8
• Carbohydrates: 20
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 3
• Cholesterol: 67