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No Italian dessert menu is ever complete without a tiramisu. If you love the creamy layers of classic tiramisu but crave something extra chocolatey, this chocolate tiramisu is the perfect dessert for you! This recipe takes the beloved Italian treat and gives it a decadent twist by making chocolate the star. Instead of coffee, the ladyfingers are dipped in chocolate milk, and layers of rich chocolate mascarpone cream make every bite irresistible. Easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion, this chocolate tiramisu is indulgence at its finest!
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this super-easy chocolate tiramisu recipe. Indulge in heavenly, airy layers of creamy goodness and plenty of rich chocolate appeal.
Also try this authentic Italian tiramisu, chocolate delight, a citrusy limoncello tiramisu recipe or this unusual strawberry tiramisu.
Why You’ll Love It
A twist on a classic: If you love the creaminess of tiramisu but not necessarily the coffee flavor, or you’re looking for something a little bit different, this chocolate tiramisu might be the answer.
Perfect for chocolate fans: There’s plenty of chocolate in here and you can use any kind you prefer.
Simple to prepare: There’s nothing complicated about this recipe. It’s fairly easy to follow.
A make-ahead dessert: This recipe should be made a day ahead or at least the night beforehand so the flavors can really meld and the tiramisu can set properly.
Chocolate Tiramisu Cake Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ladyfingers: A main ingredient in tiramisu (I love this brand!)
Heavy cream: For creaminess and richness.
Mascarpone cheese: For a tangy flavor as well as a rich and creamy texture.
Powdered sugar: To sweeten the dish without making it grainy.
Chocolate chips: To include in the chocolate cream layers and also to make the chocolate milk for soaking the ladyfingers.
Vanilla extract: Add a few drops for a contrasting flavor component.
Milk: Whole milk is fine or you can use your preferred milk.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: An optional garnish to sprinkle on top.
How to Make Chocolate Tiramisu
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the chocolate cream: Mix the heavy cream and mascarpone cheese and then sift in the powdered sugar and beat to the stiff peaks stage. Melt the chocolate chips and gently fold the melted chocolate into the mascarpone mixture.
Make the chocolate milk: Melt the chocolate chips with the milk over a low to medium heat and then allow to cool slightly and transfer into a shallow dish.
Dip the lady fingers: Dip them into the lukewarm chocolate milk mixture.
Assemble the chocolate tiramisu: Add a layer of ladyfingers to a baking dish and spread a layer of the mascarpone whipped cream mixture on top. Repeat these layers.
The finishing touches: Cover the dessert with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Dust the top of the tiramisu with cocoa powder before serving, if liked.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, ensure you use gluten-free ladyfingers or cookies of choice.
Cocoa powder: Instead of a cocoa powder topping, you can use a drizzle of chocolate sauce, a chunk of chocolate or some shaved chocolate curls.
Mascarpone cheese: You could sub cream cheese but it won’t have the same airiness or richness.
Chocolate: I used semi sweet chocolate chips in the chocolate ganache cream mixture and dark chocolate chips for the chocolate milk, but you can mix and match any kinds you want. I bet white chocolate would work really well too!
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Begin your meal with a melon prosciutto salad or one of these light appetizers.
Main dishes: Enjoy riso al forno or this Italian sausage and pepper skillet.
Desserts: A slice of this easy chocolate tiramisu makes a perfect dessert, perhaps served with a glass of homemade limoncello and/or an espresso on the side.
How to Store Chocolate Tiramisu
Store: Keep the tiramisu in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 2 to 3 days.
Freeze: This isn’t a good dessert to freeze, so I don’t recommend it.
Top Tips
Time to set: For the best results, allow the tiramisu to set in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours to prevent it from falling apart when served.
Melting the chocolate: When melting the semisweet chocolate, do it gently to avoid burning or seizing.
Add cocoa powder: Dust with cocoa powder just before serving for a fresh appearance and flavor.
Don’t over-soak: Ensure the ladyfingers are not overly soaked in the chocolate milk to prevent a soggy texture. A quick dip is sufficient.
Easy Chocolate Tiramisu FAQs
Sure, break it into chunks first so it melts quicker and more evenly.
Sure, you can halve the chocolate milk ingredients and dip one layer of the ladyfingers in that and the other layer in sweetened brewed coffee.
Best Chocolate Tiramisu Recipe
Chocolate Tiramisu
Equipment
- Saucepan Medium
- Baking Dish 9 x 13-Inch
Ingredients
- 20 to 24 ladyfingers
- 1 ¼ Cups heavy cream
- 1 ¼ Cups mascarpone cheese
- ½ Cup powdered sugar
- 4 ¼ Ounces semisweet chocolate chips
For the Chocolate Milk:
- ½ Cup milk
- 1/3 Ounce semi-sweet chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips
Optional Topping:
Instructions
Prepare the Cream Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream and mascarpone cheese.
- Sift the powdered sugar over the cream mixture.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- Melt the semisweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until smooth.
- Gently fold the melted chocolate into the cream mixture until fully combined. Take care not to deflate the mixture.
Make the Chocolate Milk:
- In a saucepan, combine the milk and dark or semisweet chocolate chips.
- Heat the mixture, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is well combined. Set aside to cool slightly.
Dip the Ladyfingers:
- Pour the chocolate milk into a shallow dish.
- Dip the ladyfingers into the chocolate milk one by one, ensuring they are moistened but not overly soaked.
Assemble the Tiramisu:
- In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, arrange a layer of moistened ladyfingers at the bottom. You can fill any gaps between the ladyfingers with cut pieces to create a solid base (optional).
- Spread a layer of the chocolate mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers in the dish, ensuring an even distribution.
- Moisten the remaining ladyfingers in the chocolate milk and create another layer on top of the chocolate mascarpone cream.
- Finish with the remaining chocolate mascarpone cream, spreading it evenly over the top layer of ladyfingers.
- Cover the tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a day or at least 10 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set.
- Before serving, dust the top of the tiramisu with unsweetened cocoa powder if liked. Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
Melting the chocolate: When melting the semisweet chocolate, do it gently to avoid burning or seizing.
Add cocoa powder: Dust with cocoa powder just before serving for a fresh appearance and flavor.
Don’t over-soak: Ensure the ladyfingers are not overly soaked in the chocolate milk to prevent a soggy texture. A quick dip is sufficient.
Nutrition
This easy chocolate tiramisu is so delicious. If you like chocolate, you have to try it out for yourself! Layers of chocolate cream and chocolate milk soaked ladyfingers make this dessert irresistible. Serve up this double chocolate tiramisu at the end of dinner and just wait for those compliments to come rolling in. Everything from the sweet mascarpone cream mixture to the tasty ladyfingers and cocoa powder topping is just perfect.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Those chocolate layers were beyond irresistible. Such an indulgent and memorable dessert!