Tiramisu Sundae

Desserts, Ice Cream / Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

I make a mean tiramisu, but this talent is lost on Jeff, who is a shunner of all things coffee, coffee-related, javafied and mocha-esque.

When Mommaw gave me a kickass Keurig for Christmas, Jeff looked at it the same way he looks at Henry the Wonderdog. With repulsion followed by begrudging acceptance.

So, since eating an entire tiramisu might lead to firefighters sawing the house open to carry me out (next on TLC’s “Half-Ton Blogga!”), I get my fix with this Tiramisu Sundae.

A typical tiramisu has layers of ladyfingers (soaked in espresso) alternating with layers of mascarpone cream. There also can be alcohol and whipped cream involved (just like the night you were conceived! I know!) and chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa. For this sundae, you’ll replace the mascarpone layers with scoops of ice cream – vanilla, chocolate, coffee, Ben and Jerry’s Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino. The Espresso Ice Cream that Michelle from Brown Eyed Baker posted a few days ago? That would do nicely.

And don’t be scared off by the ladyfingers. I can usually find them in my grocery’s cookie section or with the frozen foods, but they can be pricey, and …

Come closer. I need to whisper something in your ear.

Sometimes I just use vanilla wafers.

Seriously. Vanilla wafers are cheap, they absorb liquid beautifully, and you can use the remaining cookies for banana pudding or as little delivery systems for peanut butter or Nutella.

Then, you can class it up with a nice dollop of whipped cream and some chocolate shavings. Or trash it up with a nice big pour of Kahlua (aka “Ka-hula,” courtesy of a former co-worker who insisted that was the name of the product). Either way, you get a frozen creamy-crunchy coffee tornado in a cup.

Do I mind that Jeff doesn’t share my Tiramisu Sundae love? Nah. If he did, he might catch me making out with my Keurig.

THAT would be awkward.

Tiramisu Sundaes

Adapted from “Martha Stewart Living” (January 2003)

Serves 4

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cup strong espresso, cooled
  • 3 tablespoons Kahlua or brandy (optional)
  • 8 ladyfingers (about 4 ounces) or vanilla wafers
  • 1 pint ice cream (recommended flavors: coffee, chocolate or vanilla)
  • Garnish: chocolate shavings
  1. Whisk cream in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form; cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
  2. Combine espresso and Kahlua, if using, in a medium bowl. Break 4 ladyfingers in half; dip into espresso mixture until soaked but not falling apart. Arrange two halves in a layer at the bottom of each parfait glass.
  3. Top with a scoop of ice cream.
  4. Repeat with another layer of soaked ladyfingers, and top with a scoop of ice cream.
  5. Garnish each glass with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of chocolate shavings. Serve immediately, if not sooner.

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19 thoughts on “Tiramisu Sundae”

  4. Wow… I love tiramisu gelato, but I never thought of making a tiramisu sundae. What a great idea. Especially, as you said, to avoid the whole firefighters cutting a whole on the side of the house to carry us out…

  5. Wow… I love tiramisu gelato, but I never thought of making a tiramisu sundae. What a great idea. Especially, as you said, to avoid the whole firefighters cutting a whole on the side of the house to carry us out…

  7. These look great! I love to make individual tiramisu cups, because they're the easiest way for Husband to sell them at work, and the layers look so pretty. Good work. I'll have to give the vanilla wafers a try..definitely worth saving some $.

  8. No shame in the vanilla wafers — I can imagine they'd be so good in this sundae! My husband doesn't like coffee either but I have converted him to one cup a day…. maybe coffee-flavored desserts are next!

  9. drool….drool…..drool…..I too am a lover of all things coffee. I just recently made up these individual 'Baby Tiramisu's' that were essentially sweetened fat free ricotta, 2 coffee soaked lady fingers, and a drizzle of chocolate. My gawd they were delicious AND low fat. I'm glad you posted this as another alternative to actual tiramisu. I do not know just how much fat/calories are in an actual slice of this made from fairy tales dessert, and I do not want to know (otherwise it will take away the leg swinging pleasure eating it usually brings me) but this recipe has def gotta be easier on the waistline. I'm thinking this recipe is going to be especially good come that first 70 degree day….sitting out on my deck in the sun, with my Tiramisu Tornado…..mmmmm

  10. Vanilla waters are a great tip! I would not have thought of that, but I love them and I bet they would work just fine. Now what are we going to replace the chocolate with? Just kidding…I was thinking this would be a lovely thing for the guys some cold evening. You have a way of making everything look like such a masterpiece!

  12. What a lovely concoction. You have combined the best of all worlds :) I am definitely looking forward to trying it out. I have trouble finding Ladyfingers too, but I once substituted Angel Food cake and it worked out ok. A little fluffy but if you let it sit for a while it tastes almost the same.

  13. This post made me laugh so much…especially the part about you making out with the Keurig. I love tiramisu as well but would definitely have trouble controlling myself around a whole tray of it. This sounds delicious.

  18. That sundae looks awesome. vanilla wafers are great, cheap and easy. no shame in that.

    mmmm I have some tiramisu in the fridge, i might need some now.

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