Back in the 1980s, I was well-known among my friends for making a mean tiramisù. As a 20-something, that was quite an accomplishment, even if the recipe I used wasn’t original and came from a magazine.

Here is the funny part: I never ate my tiramisù. All that espresso and Kahlúa? No, thank you. But I made it often for friends and, if they were happy, I was happy. (For a completely different dessert in the tiramisù tradition, try this Dolce all’Amaretti.)

Just recently, for my friend Pat’s birthday, I decided to tinker with the tiramisù recipe from the 80s and turn it into something that I would eat and enjoy. Enter chocolate. I made it with cocoa powder and chocolate liqueur and, while not traditional, it is divine. And, seriously, you probably won’t even notice the coffee is missing.

As for the title of this post, I have often said that “presentation is 9/10s of the culinary law,” so my tinkering also included some serious work on the presentation. I am happy with the way my chocolate tiramisù looks now; I gave it structure and zhuzhed it up a bit by piping rosettes of whipped cream on top. After all, we eat with our eyes first, right?

~ David

40 Comments

  1. John / Kitchen Riffs

    April 17, 2021 at 8:17 am

    We do eat with our eyes first, and at the moment my eyes are saying “I Want, I Want!” This looks delightful. Bet it tastes delightful, too. We’re both 2 weeks past our 2nd vaccine, so we’re good to see fully jabbed friends. We should make this to celebrate. 🙂 Really nice — thanks.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 17, 2021 at 2:42 pm

      We are in the same boat, John – we have now had a couple of dinners with friends and it feels wonderful. This tiramisù would be a great way to celebrate getting back together.

      Reply
  2. Gloria Roa Baker

    April 17, 2021 at 12:16 pm

    David what really wonderful recipe , looks amazing and i really I love Tiramisu! Im sure was delicious!!!
    hugs

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 17, 2021 at 2:42 pm

      It was very tasty, Gloria! There is just a tiny bit left!

      Reply
  3. sherry

    April 18, 2021 at 2:13 am

    i love a moist delicious tiramisu! this looks superb david!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 18, 2021 at 7:17 am

      This one is very dense and moist — I think it’s just what you are looking for!

      Reply
  4. Pauline McNee

    April 18, 2021 at 4:17 am

    How clever David to bring your 80s recipe to the 21st century. It looks amazing, suffering from food envy right now. Thanks for sharing your amazing recipe.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 18, 2021 at 7:18 am

      I just can’t believe how long it took me to make the changes, Pauline! And it was some “International Tiramisù Day” that made me think about it!

      Reply
  5. Frank

    April 18, 2021 at 6:25 am

    This really does look beautiful, David. And I’m sure it’s delicious, too. I’ve been meaning to mix up my tiramisu repertoire a bit and this looks like just the ticket!

    But now I’m curious, was it the coffee or the Kahlua that turned you off from the 80s version?

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 18, 2021 at 7:20 am

      Frank — you should definitely try the Dolce all’Amaretti — that is one addictive Tiramisù-like dish! This one, too.

      Is it the coffee or Kahlúa? The answer is a simple “yes.” I like neither. An odd thing for a cool not to like coffee … but there you have it.

      Reply
  6. Christina Conte

    April 18, 2021 at 8:28 am

    Definitely a masterpiece, David! I do love a traditional tiramisù, but it’s one of those things that I truly don’t mind seeing twists on the recipe. I am quite sure I’d love this one, too! As I mentioned, we now have a California chapter of the Tiramisù Academy from Treviso, which is truly not just about tiramisù, but all things Italian. I do wish you were closer as we’ll be having fun events in the area!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 22, 2021 at 7:02 am

      Well, I wish we loved closer for so many more reasons – think of the fun we could have together in the kitchen! Glad you like my chocolate version. You know I generally stick with tradition but, in this case, if I didn’t I would never get tiramisù!

      Reply
  7. Lee Strang

    April 18, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    It was truly delicious and beautiful!! We were lucky enough to enjoy it more than once since we got to take some home with us. Always happy to help!!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 22, 2021 at 7:01 am

      Glad you and Bill enjoyed it, Lee. I appreciate you letting me make it for you so I could get good photos!

      Reply
  8. Eha Carr

    April 18, 2021 at 5:33 pm

    Back in the 80’s methinks I managed a pretty fair tiramisu myself ! Desserts have not been much on the menu since . . . well, have a birthday coming up myself in a while: yours looks oh so beautiful to copy 🙂 ! A truly festive presentation to bring to the table . . .

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 22, 2021 at 7:00 am

      Yes, Eha – for me, this is a special occasion dessert, even considering its simple beginnings. Happy birthday (whenever that may be! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Andrea

    April 19, 2021 at 12:10 pm

    Dear David, your Chocolate Tiramisù Cake looks utterly divine – we all do love a good Tiramisù but I have always stuck to a rather traditional version. Yours looks so much more pretty than mine and it sounds like an absolut divine dessert!
    Hope the two of you are doing well!
    Keep healthy & happy, my dear friend!
    Andrea

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 22, 2021 at 6:59 am

      Knowing your and the family’s love for chocolate, I think you will all like this version a lot!

      Reply
  10. Eva

    April 19, 2021 at 12:34 pm

    Rather than by the lack of coffee, I am most intrigued by your mascarpone cream that starts as a “zabaione”. Never tried that, and I’m a big fan of tiramisu variations.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 22, 2021 at 6:56 am

      I think it is the zabaione that makes this version so special. I hope you give it a try – it is quite addictive!

      Reply
  11. Fran @ G'day Souffle

    April 20, 2021 at 8:33 am

    Yumsky! This looks delicious! The recipe also looks very similar to Julia Child’s ‘Charlotte Malakoff’- where she lines a charlotte mold with lady fingers on the outside.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 22, 2021 at 6:55 am

      Fran – I started using the ladyfingers on the outer perimeter like that in the 80s. I cannot recall for the life of me if it was my idea, or if I had seen it somewhere. Either way, it works beautifully!

      Reply
  12. Raymund

    April 20, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    Interesting, so you dont take coffee? This recipe is a good twist, I bet it would be much better with cocoa involved, definitely a chocolate lovers dream

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 22, 2021 at 6:54 am

      I know – it is odd, but I have never taken either coffee or tea – only cocoa! But it works for me! Glad you like this version!

      Reply
  13. Easyfoodsmith

    April 21, 2021 at 4:24 am

    That looks gorgeous and so delicious! drooling!!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 22, 2021 at 6:53 am

      Thanks – I always feel like I have succeeded if people are drooling after reading one of my posts! 🙂

      Reply
  14. 2pots2cook

    April 21, 2021 at 4:44 am

    Beautiful version David ! Although I am addicted to coffee, I would not miss it with all the ingredients. Thank you very much and I wish you enjoy your day !

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 22, 2021 at 6:51 am

      Thanks, Davorka! Yes, even coffee lovers will be able to dig into this with gusto!

      Reply
  15. Jeff the Chef

    April 21, 2021 at 7:27 am

    I agree with you about the zhuzhing, and the chocolate … but that color! Good lord, that’s so amazing and I want to dive right through my computer screen after it. I like tiramisu, but my husband doesn’t like coffee – not even as a tiny component in something else. People will always say adding coffee to chocolate doesn’t give it a coffee taste, it just enhances the chocolate, but he can detect it. I’ve proven this with secret experimentation on him. He detects it every time. By the way, he’s a chocolate freak. So, he’s going to love this.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 22, 2021 at 6:51 am

      It is good to know I am not the only one out there that can detect coffee in anything. It is rather odd for a foodie not to like coffee, isn’t it? I am glad I have given you a tiramisù option for your household to enjoy – let me know what your husband thinks! (And you, of course!)

      Reply
  16. sippitysup

    April 22, 2021 at 1:17 pm

    You could go into business with this one! It’s modern, sophisticated, and just classic enough. GREG

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      April 28, 2021 at 11:49 am

      The key – just classic enough. And a great compliment, too. Thanks!

      Reply
  17. Karen (Back Road Journal)

    April 25, 2021 at 9:56 am

    While I’m sure I would have enjoyed your original recipe, this tiramisù is definitely calling my name.

    Reply
  18. Aarthi

    April 29, 2021 at 9:20 am

    Yummm! I’m literally drooling over the picture, looks perfect and scrumptious! definitely a delicious sweet treat, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  19. John

    May 2, 2021 at 3:02 am

    David, I think this may be the ideal tiramisu for me. You know I love my coffee, but come midday or 1 pm, I simply don’t drink it. I’d love to devour tiramisu after an evening meal, but that means one thing – I won’t sleep well!

    This tiramisu recipe is one I definitely want to try!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      May 2, 2021 at 3:06 pm

      Yeah – who needs all that caffeine at bedtime! Thanks for the kind comment, John.

      Reply
  20. Inger @ Art of Natural Living

    May 4, 2021 at 3:27 pm

    Kind of like a Tiramisu shaped like a Charlotte Russe. I’d be up for a piece of that!

    Reply

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