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    Home » Recipes » Cake Recipes

    The Easiest Gluten Free Tiramisu

    Published: Aug 27, 2021 · Modified: Aug 25, 2021 by Sandi Gaertner · 2 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest pin of the tiramisu

    One bite of this gluten free tiramisu and you will be hooked! The creamy rum-soaked sponge cake and egg custard flavors all combine in the most mouthwatering way. This cake is so easy to make with my homemade sponge cake, or use gluten free ladyfingers.

    a piece of tiramisu on a plate with a brown fork
    Jump to:
    • Why my gluten free tiramisu is so special:
    • Ingredient notes:
    • Recipe step by step directions:
    • Variations and Substitutions:
    • Tips and Recipe FAQ:
    • More delicious gluten free cake recipe:
    • Recipe
    • Community

    Get ready for the best gluten free tiramisu recipe! It has been many years since I enjoyed tiramisu. Gluten free ladyfingers are pretty much non-existent and I sort of gave up ever having tiramisu again.

    I have a feeling you are going to fall in love with this cake too! It is a decadent cake that is made to impress. Nobody will know it is gluten free.

    For this special gluten free Italian dessert, I used my homemade Gluten Free Sponge Cake recipe and added in the delicious filling from a New York Times Tiramisu recipe I found. It is by far the best filling. I modified it a bit by using dark rum instead of regular rum.

    Why my gluten free tiramisu is so special:

    This homemade gluten free tiramisu recipe is special because it has all of the authentic Italian flavors. It is easy to make in just a few simple steps!

    If you love cake as much as I do, you will want to check out all of my delicious homemade gluten free cake recipes on the blog.

    Ingredient notes:

    gluten free tiramisu ingredients
    • Gluten Free Sponge Cake - For this recipe, you will need to make my gluten free sponge cake. Schar makes gluten free lady fingers, but I have yet to see them in store. If you can find them, feel free to use them instead of the sponge.
    • Heavy cream - Do not use half and half.
    • Mascapone cheese - If you can't find mascapone cheese, you can use full fat cream cheese.
    • Cocoa powder - Most brands are gluten free but always read the label to be sure! I like to use Ghirardelli, Hershey's, or Anthony's brands of cocoa powder
    • Coffee - Use coffee or a double espresso watered down to equal 1 cup of liquid.
    • Rum - I used dark rum because I like the caramelized flavor more than regular rum. If you want your tiramisu to be alcohol-free, use rum extract.

    *A note about egg safety. This recipe contains uncooked eggs because it is made in the traditional Italian way. The eggs are whipped for 10 minutes and the quality of the eggs in the U.S. is very high. If you prefer, you can temper the eggs by whisking them over a hot water bath before adding them to the standing mixer.

    As a precaution, if you are pregnant or have young children (who probably wouldn't need the caffeine either!), you may want to try another dessert. I have tons of delicious gluten free dessert recipes on the blog!

    Tiramisu is a delightful no-bake cake that is so easy to put together. If you love no-bake-style cakes, try my easy Gluten Free Icebox Cake recipe too!

    Recipe step by step directions:

    steps 1 and 2 photos of making tiramisu

    Step 1: Make my gluten free sponge cake recipe and allow the cake to cool. If you have gluten free ladyfingers and plan to use those instead, skip steps 1 and 2.

    Step 2: Slice the cake into strips. Now let's make the whipped custard filling!

    steps 3 and 4 photos of making tiramisu

    Step 3: In a standing mixer, add the egg yolks and sugar. Whip for about 10 minutes. The mixture will become thick and pale yellow.

    Step 4: Pull up the beater. The mixture will make a ribbon when you pull up the beater. Move the mixture to a bowl and clean the mixer/beater attachment.

    HINT: Don't forget, you can temper the egg yolks if using raw egg makes you nervous. To do this, whisk the egg yolks in a bowl over a hot water bath. You will need to whisk constantly. After 5 minutes, adding them to the standing mixer with the sugar and whip.

    steps 5 and 6 photos of making tiramisu

    Step 5: In the mixer, add the heavy cream and whip it until it forms peaks. If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute evaporated milk with 1 tablespoon of arrowroot, corn, or tapioca starch. Add in the mascarpone cheese and vanilla. Mix well.

    Step 6: Pour the egg yolk mixture into the cheese mixture and gently fold the two together.

    steps 7 and 8 photos of making tiramisu

    Step 7: Spray oil in your 8x8 dish. Line the dish with a layer of sponge cake pieces.

    Step 8: Mix your coffee and rum in a small bowl. Drizzle some over the sponge cake pieces.

    steps 9 and 10 photos of making tiramisu

    Step 9: Take your cream filling mixture and add it on top of the layer of sponge slices. Optional: dust this layer with cocoa powder.

    Step 10: Add another layer of sponge cake and drizzle with the coffee rum mixture.

    step 11 photo of making tiramisu

    Step 11: Add the rest of the whipped custard and spread to evenly coat the sponge cake.

    Step 12: Put the cocoa powder into a small sifter and sift the cocoa over the custard. This is important to remove the lumps that always seem to be in cocoa powder.

    gluten free tiramisu in a baking dish

    Dust the top with cocoa powder and enjoy! Remember to store this cake in the refrigerator.

    Variations and Substitutions:

    • If you do not have heavy cream on-hand, you can use the same quantity of evaoprated milk with 1 tablespoon of tapioca or corn starch.
    • To substitute the mascarpone, mix full-fat cream cheese with butter and heavy cream.
    • Add mini chocolate chips to the mascarpone layer.
    • Drizzle with some melted chocolate.

    Tips and Recipe FAQ:

    Is there real alcohol in tiramisu?

    Yes, a real tiramisu contains rum. If you do not want to use alcohol, use rum extract.

    Are there gluten free ladyfingers?

    I have only seen one brand of gluten free ladyfingers online by Schar, but I haven't found them in person yet. This is why I use my gluten free sponge cake recipe as a substitute.

    Is mascarpone cheese gluten free?

    Yes! mascarpone cheese is gluten free. It is made with no gluten ingredients.

    What can be used instead of mascarpone cheese?

    If you can't find mascarpone cheese, you could substitute whipped cream and some cream cheese or ricotta cheese. The texture will be slightly different but the flavor will be good.

    How long will tiramisu keep fresh?

    Tiramisu tends to spoil quickly because of the egg custard so if it doesn't smell right after 2-3 days, it may be spoiled.

    a fork holding up a bite of gluten free tiramisu

    More delicious gluten free cake recipe:

    • Gluten Free Creamy Apple Cake
    • Easy Gluten Free Tres Leches Cake
    • Gluten Free Chocolate Trifle
    • Gluten Free Bakewell Tart

    Recipe

    a piece of tiramisu on a plate with a brown fork

    Gluten Free Tiramisu

    Sandi Gaertner
    A creamy no-bake Italian cake that has incredible flavors. It is so easy to make!
    5 from 2 votes
    gluten free allergy icon
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    Prep Time 30 mins
    Chill Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 12 slices
    Calories 196 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 gluten free sponge cake * see note
    • 1 cup mascarpone * see note for substitute
    • ¾ cup heavy cream do not use half and half
    • 1 cup coffee * see note
    • 2 tablespoons dark rum * see note for alcohol-free
    • 4 egg yolks
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

    Instructions
     

    • Make my gluten free sponge cake recipe and allow the cake to cool. If you have gluten free ladyfingers and plan to use those instead, skip steps 1 and 2.
    • Slice the cake into ¼ to ½ inch thick strips. Now let's make the whipped custard filling!
    • In a standing mixer, add the egg yolks and sugar. Whip for about 10 minutes. The mixture will become thick and pale yellow.
    • Pull up the beater. The mixture will make a ribbon when you pull up the beater. Move the mixture to a bowl and clean the mixer/beater attachment.
    • HINT: Don't forget, you can temper the egg yolks if using raw egg makes you nervous. To do this, whisk the egg yolks in a bowl over a hot water bath. You will need to whisk constantly. After 5 minutes, adding them to the standing mixer with the sugar and whip.
    • In the mixer, add the heavy cream and whip it until it forms peaks. If you don't have heavy cream, you can substitute evaporated milk with 1 tablespoon of arrowroot, corn, or tapioca starch. Add in the mascarpone cheese and vanilla. Mix well.
    • Pour the egg yolk mixture into the cheese mixture and gently fold the two together.
    • Spray oil in your 8x8 dish. Line the dish with a layer of sponge cake pieces.
    • Mix your coffee and rum in a small bowl. Drizzle some over the sponge cake pieces.
    • Take your cream filling mixture and add it on top of the layer of sponge slices. Optional: dust this layer with cocoa powder.
    • Add another layer of sponge cake and drizzle with the coffee rum mixture.
    • Add the rest of the whipped custard and spread to evenly coat the sponge cake.
    • Put the cocoa powder into a small sifter and sift the cocoa over the custard. This is important to remove the lumps that always seem to be in cocoa powder.
    • Chill the cake a miniumum of one hour before servin. 2-3 hours is even better as the flavors blend in together.

    Notes

    1. You can make my easy gluten free sponge cake recipe, or look for Schar gluten free ladyfingers in stores. I haven't been able to find them so I use my cake.
    2. To substitute the mascarpone, mix full-fat cream cheese with butter and heavy cream.
    3. You can use one cup of coffee, or espresso watered down to the equal of one cup.
    4. I prefer dark rum over white rum in this recipe. If you do not want alcohol, use rum extract, which can be purchased at most grocery stores.
    5. Due to the nature of using the raw egg yolks, this cake will not keep long. I would recommend eating it within two days. This cake is not good for making ahead unless you just bake the gluten free sponge cake ahead.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 3gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 20mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 568IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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    Comments

    1. Leslie

      August 27, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      Sandi, Your desserts all look so good but this tiramisu- oh my goodness! Not sure if I'd do it justice but I'm going to save this recipe for a special occasion.

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        August 27, 2021 at 9:01 pm

        You are quite the impressive cook, I have faith you would do a great job :-).

        Reply

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