Olive Garden-Style Tiramisu

A healthier take on classic tiramisu using whole-food, organic ingredients and avoiding industrial seed oils and refined sugars for a minimally processed dessert.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup organic mascarpone cheese
  • 1 cup organic heavy cream, from grass-fed cows
  • 1/4 cup honey, raw if possible
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract, pure
  • 12 oz. organic ladyfingers or sponge cake slices
  • 2 large egg yolks, from free-range chickens
  • 1 1/2 cups strong brewed organic espresso or dark-roast coffee, cooled
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, non-alkalized (for dusting)
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Clean swaps

How we upgrade the restaurant version with better ingredients.

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Shop the clean pantry

Reorder the shelf-stable staples for this recipe.

What you'll need

  • Stand mixer — Hands-free creaming and whipping — the most time-saving machine in a baker's kitchen.
  • Kitchen scale — Baking by weight is more accurate than cups — 1 g = 1 g, always.
  • Silicone baking mat — No parchment waste, uniform browning, nothing sticks.

Instructions

  1. Brew the espresso and let it cool to room temperature.
  2. In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, whisk the egg yolks, honey, and salt for 5–8 minutes until thickened and the mixture reaches 160°F. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
  3. Whip the cold heavy cream with the vanilla to soft peaks. Fold the mascarpone into the cooled yolk mixture until smooth, then gently fold in the whipped cream.
  4. Briefly dip each ladyfinger into the cooled espresso — about 1–2 seconds per side so they are coated but not soggy — and arrange a single layer in an 8x8-inch dish.
  5. Spread half the mascarpone cream evenly over the ladyfingers, then repeat with a second layer of dipped ladyfingers and the remaining cream.
  6. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  7. Dust the top generously with cocoa powder just before serving chilled.

FAQ

Can I use regular mascarpone cheese if organic is not available?

We recommend using organic mascarpone to ensure it is free from antibiotics and hormones, but you can substitute with regular if necessary.

Is raw honey safe foreveryone?

Raw honey is generally safe for most people over one year old. However, infants under one year should avoid raw honey due to the risk of botulism.

Can I use other types of butter besides grass-fed?

While grass-fed butter offers more nutrition and health benefits, any organic butter can be a clean alternative over seed oils or margarine.

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