Follow Me On Social Media!
Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu: A Luxurious No-Bake Dessert with Bold, Elegant Flavor
When you want a dessert that feels like a showstopper but requires no baking, no special equipment, and almost no effort, Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu is the indulgent masterpiece you need in your life. This luscious twist on the classic Italian tiramisu brings together velvety mascarpone cream, espresso-kissed ladyfingers, sweet cherry compote, and the unmistakable almond warmth of Amaretto. The result? A layered dessert that’s elegant enough for the holidays, romantic enough for date night, and simple enough for a casual weekend treat.
This recipe takes everything you love about traditional tiramisu—the creamy filling, the rich coffee notes, the pillowy texture—and elevates it with the sweet-tart depth of cherries. Whether you use fresh cherries in summer or frozen cherries during the winter season, the flavor hits every note: fruity, creamy, lightly boozy, and perfectly balanced.
If you’ve been craving a dessert that requires absolutely zero baking and tastes like it came from a boutique Italian café, prepare to fall in love with Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu
✓ No-bake – Ideal for hot weather or busy days.
✓ Versatile – Works with fresh or frozen cherries.
✓ Crowd-pleasing – The perfect make-ahead dessert for family dinners, potlucks, holidays, and more.
✓ Elevated flavor – The combination of espresso, Amaretto liqueur, and cherries is unforgettable.
✓ Gorgeous presentation – Layers beautifully for individual cups, trifle dishes, or a classic tiramisu pan.
The Flavor Breakdown
Mascarpone Cream
Silky, rich, lightly sweetened, and stabilized with whipped cream so every bite feels cloud-like.
Espresso + Amaretto Soaked Ladyfingers
The ladyfingers absorb the warm espresso and Amaretto mixture, turning soft and cake-like with a subtle almond finish.
Cherry Layer
Simmered cherries with sugar and vanilla give this tiramisu its signature fruity twist. The tartness of the cherries balances the sweetness of the cream beautifully.
Finishing Touches
A dusting of cocoa powder, shaved dark chocolate, and extra cherries bring the entire dessert together visually and flavor-wise.
Ingredients
For the Cherry Layer
- 3 cups cherries (fresh or frozen, pitted)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
For the Espresso-Amaretto Dip
- 1 ½ cups brewed espresso or strong coffee, cooled
- ½ cup Amaretto liqueur
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
For the Mascarpone Cream
- 16 oz mascarpone cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract (optional but incredible)
Assembly
- 2 packages ladyfingers (around 36–40 pieces)
- Cocoa powder, for dusting
- Chocolate shavings, optional
- Fresh cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Cherry Layer
In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla over medium heat. Cook until cherries soften and release juices. Add the cornstarch mixture, stir until thickened, then remove from heat to cool completely. - Prepare the Espresso-Amaretto Mixture
In a shallow dish, combine cooled espresso, Amaretto, and optional sugar. Stir until dissolved. - Make the Mascarpone Cream
Beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, mix mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla, and almond extract. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until smooth. - Assemble the First Layer
Quickly dip ladyfingers into the espresso-Amaretto mixture and arrange in a single layer in a 9×9 inch dish. - Add Cherry Layer
Spread half the cherry compote evenly over the soaked ladyfingers. - Add Mascarpone Cream
Spread half the mascarpone cream over the cherry layer. - Repeat Layers
Add another layer of dipped ladyfingers, remaining cherries, and the remaining mascarpone cream. - Chill
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, for best texture. - Serve
Dust with cocoa powder, top with cherries and chocolate shavings, then slice and enjoy.
Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu
A luxurious no-bake tiramisu layered with mascarpone cream, espresso-Amaretto soaked ladyfingers, and a rich cherry compote.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook cherries with sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla until softened. Stir in cornstarch mixture and cook until thickened. Cool completely.
- Combine cooled espresso, Amaretto, and optional sugar.
- Beat heavy cream to stiff peaks. Blend mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla, and almond extract in another bowl, then fold in the whipped cream.
- Dip ladyfingers briefly into the espresso-Amaretto mixture and layer in a 9×9 dish.
- Spread half the cherry mixture over the ladyfingers.
- Top with half the mascarpone cream.
- Repeat all layers.
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Dust with cocoa powder, garnish with cherries, and serve.
Notes
Best chilled overnight for full flavor.
Tips for the Best Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu
- Do not oversoak the ladyfingers. A quick dip is enough—otherwise they’ll collapse.
- Overnight chill is best. The layers meld and create perfect tiramisu texture.
- Use high-quality espresso. Coffee flavor carries the dish.
- Amaretto substitutions: Non-alcoholic almond syrup works beautifully.
- For extra richness: Add a drizzle of cherry juice over the ladyfingers before layering.
Variations
- Black Forest Tiramisu: Add shaved dark chocolate between layers.
- White Chocolate Version: Fold melted and cooled white chocolate into the mascarpone cream.
- Amaretto-Free: Skip the alcohol and replace with almond extract + extra coffee.
- Cup Version: Layer in individual glass cups for parties or gifting.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve chilled with espresso or cappuccino.
- Add crushed amaretti cookies on top for crunch.
- Double the recipe for a trifle bowl presentation.
Fun Fact
Amaretto’s almond flavor actually traditionally comes from apricot pits, not almonds! That subtle fruity-nutty note is exactly why it pairs so perfectly with cherries in this dessert.