The first time I made this Gingerbread Tiramisu, the whole kitchen smelled like Christmas morning. The warmth of ginger, the sweetness of eggnog, and a hint of coffee filled the air. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a hug after dinner — cozy, nostalgic, and ready for a crowd.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Tiramisu
This no-bake treat takes everything wonderful about classic tiramisu and gives it a festive twist. Instead of ladyfingers, you’ll layer soft gingerbread cookies with mascarpone and eggnog cream. There’s no oven, no stress, and it’s even better when made a day ahead. You can make it kid-friendly or add a touch of rum for the grown-ups. It’s creamy, spiced, and perfect for gatherings around the holiday table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll only need a few pantry staples and holiday favorites:
- Heavy cream for that fluffy base
- Mascarpone or cream cheese for tang
- Eggnog or milk for creamy sweetness
- Gingerbread cookies — the heart of this dessert
- Coffee or cocoa for dipping
- Powdered sugar for gentle sweetness
- Rum extract or liqueur for a little kick
Each ingredient adds something special. Mascarpone makes the filling velvety. The eggnog adds warmth. Gingerbread cookies give every bite that nostalgic spice. This recipe fills a 9×9 dish with 4 to 5 cozy layers.
How to Make Gingerbread Tiramisu (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 – Whip the Cream
Start with cold heavy cream. Whip it until stiff peaks form, then set it aside. The cream gives your tiramisu its airy texture, so make sure it’s nice and firm.
Step 2 – Make the Mascarpone Mixture
In another bowl, whisk egg yolks and powdered sugar until pale and smooth. Add mascarpone and beat until creamy. Gently fold in the whipped cream until you see no streaks. This will be your dreamy filling.
Step 3 – Prepare the Coffee-Eggnog Dip
Mix hot coffee, rum extract, and eggnog in a shallow dish. The mixture should smell like pure holiday spirit. Quickly dip each cookie into it — just a few seconds to soften without turning soggy.
Step 4 – Layer the Dessert
Line the bottom of your dish with dipped cookies. Spread a layer of mascarpone filling. Keep layering until you run out of cookies, finishing with cream on top. You’ll see the beautiful stripes of cookie and filling, like layers of cozy flavor.
Step 5 – Chill and Serve
Dust the top with cocoa powder and crushed gingerbread cookies. Then chill for at least 1½ hours, or overnight if possible. The longer it sits, the deeper the flavors become. Serve chilled, either scooped or cut into squares.
Storage and Serving Tips
Cover the tiramisu and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors get even better after the first night. You can also freeze slices for up to a month — just thaw overnight in the fridge.
For serving, I like to sprinkle extra cocoa or cookie crumbs before bringing it to the table. It looks beautiful and feels like a holiday celebration in each spoonful.
Easy Variations to Try
- Adults-only: Replace the rum extract with real dark rum or coffee liqueur.
- Lighter version: Use Greek yogurt instead of mascarpone for a tangy twist.
- Extra festive: Add crushed peppermint candy between layers.
- Cookie swap: Try speculoos, biscotti, or even ladyfingers for a fun change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make it without egg yolks?
Yes. You can skip the yolks and simply mix mascarpone, whipped cream, and powdered sugar together. It’s still rich and creamy.
What can I use instead of eggnog?
Milk, cream, or even almond milk works well. The flavor will be milder but still delicious.
How far ahead can I prepare it?
Make it up to 24 hours ahead. In fact, the flavors blend beautifully overnight, making it even more delicious.
Easy Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe Card
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Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe – Simple, Festive & Irresistible
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including chill time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A no-bake, make-ahead festive dessert blending classic tiramisu with holiday flavors using gingerbread cookies, mascarpone, eggnog, and cocoa.
Ingredients
2 cups cold heavy cream (whipped to stiff peaks)
3 egg yolks (or pasteurized, or skip if needed)
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
2 ¼ cups mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese as a tangy substitute)
½ cup eggnog (or milk/cream as alternatives)
36–45 gingerbread cookies (store-bought or homemade)
½ cup hot coffee (or decaf, cocoa, or chai for non-coffee option)
1 teaspoon rum extract (or 2–3 tbsp dark rum/liqueur for adults)
Topping: Cocoa powder + crushed gingerbread cookies
Instructions
1. Whip cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form; set aside.
2. Whisk egg yolks with powdered sugar until pale and smooth.
3. Add mascarpone to yolk-sugar mix and beat until creamy.
4. Fold in whipped cream until no streaks remain.
5. In a shallow bowl, mix hot coffee, rum extract, and eggnog.
6. Dip each gingerbread cookie briefly in liquid mixture; line bottom of a 9×9 dish.
7. Spread a layer of mascarpone filling.
8. Repeat with layers of dipped cookies and filling, finishing with cream on top.
9. Sift cocoa powder and sprinkle crushed cookies.
10. Chill for at least 1.5 hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
Can skip egg yolks if preferred.
Eggnog can be replaced with milk or cream.
Best made a day ahead for deeper flavor.
Store covered in the fridge up to 3 days.
Freeze slices up to 1 month; thaw overnight in fridge.
Use soft homemade cookies for best texture.
Hot cocoa or chai tea can replace coffee.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Easy & Decadent Christmas Desserts
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: Italian-American Holiday Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
More Such Recipes
If you love this recipe, you might also enjoy:
- Peppermint Bark Brownies for a Festive Dessert Twist
- Easy No-Bake Cherry Delight Recipe
- Summer Berry and Peach Cheesecake Dessert
- Mini Sweet Potato Pies for Holiday Gatherings
Final Thoughts
This Gingerbread Tiramisu brings together everything we love about the holidays: warmth, sweetness, and a little magic in every layer. It’s easy to make, easy to share, and guaranteed to disappear from the table.
Pair it with coffee or hot cocoa, and you’ll have a dessert that wraps up your holiday meal perfectly. Share your creations on Pinterest or Facebook — I’d love to see how yours turns out.