There’s something magical about combining the cozy warmth of gingerbread with the silky richness of tiramisu. This Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe brings those flavors to life with layers of spicy goodness and creamy indulgence—a festive twist you’ll be so glad you tried.

A square glass dish with three visible layers of light brown soaked cake and three layers of creamy white filling inside, topped with dollops of white cream dusted with dark brown cocoa powder creating a pattern across the surface; the top edges of the dish have some cocoa powder spread around, and a white marbled surface is beneath the dish with some cookies placed on a white plate nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of this Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe because it’s like a comforting holiday hug in dessert form. Between the fragrant spices dancing with the creamy mascarpone, it feels luxurious yet perfectly simple to make.

Seasonal Spice Perfection: The blend of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses gives this tiramisu a festive depth that’s truly irresistible.
Easy Yet Elegant: It looks impressive on the table but actually comes together fairly quickly with straightforward steps.
Versatile Layers: Using gingerbread cookies alongside lady fingers adds a delightful crunch and unexpected twist.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it in advance, letting the flavors meld beautifully overnight for a perfect party dessert.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe uses a mix of classic tiramisu ingredients and warm spices that work harmoniously to create a dessert that feels hearty without being heavy. Each ingredient brings its own magic—whether it's the creamy mascarpone or the zing from ground ginger.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of cold mascarpone cheese, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of molasses, a small white bowl of heavy cream, a small white bowl of brewed dark gingerbread coffee, a neat stack of crisp gingerbread cookies, a neat stack of ladyfinger cookies, a small white bowl of cocoa powder, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of ground ginger, and a small white bowl of kosher salt, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Egg yolks: Essential for the custard base, providing richness and a silky texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens while also helping create a smooth custard.
Molasses: Adds deep, almost smoky notes that perfectly complement ginger and cinnamon.
Ground ginger & cinnamon: Bring that signature gingerbread warmth and spice.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the spices.
Vanilla extract: Adds subtle sweetness and rounds out flavors.
Mascarpone: The creamy foundation that gives tiramisu its luscious mouthfeel.
Heavy cream: Whipped to fluffy peaks, it lightens the mascarpone mixture beautifully.
Crisp gingerbread or gingersnap cookies: Add crunchy, spicy layers for extra texture.
Strong brewed gingerbread coffee: Soaks the lady fingers with seasonal flavor and moisture.
Lady fingers: Classic tiramisu base that soaks up coffee without falling apart.
Cocoa powder: The finishing dust of chocolate bitterness that balances the sweetness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to switch things up depending on the season and my mood with this Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe. Feel free to get creative—whether it’s swapping coffee types or playing with cookie choices.

Variation: I sometimes replace gingerbread coffee with a spiced chai tea for a caffeine-free but still warmly spiced soak; it’s a twist my friends always ask me to repeat.
Dietary modification: For a gluten-free version, try gluten-free ginger cookies and lady fingers, or make your own gluten-free almond cake slices.
Extra indulgence: Add a splash of dark rum or bourbon to the coffee soak for a boozy holiday treat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe

A piece of layered dessert sits on a white plate with ridged edges, placed on a white marbled surface lightly dusted with cocoa powder. The dessert has two visible layers of soft, light brown cake, each separated by creamy, pale yellow filling. The top layer is covered with a thick, white cream that has dark brown cocoa powder sprinkled unevenly on top, forming small peaks. A light brown heart-shaped cookie is placed vertically at the center of the dessert's top. In the background, there is a blurry image of more cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prepare the Gingerbread Mascarpone Custard

Start by making the custard base—you’ll gently whisk egg yolks and sugar over simmering water until the sugar dissolves fully. I swear by this gentle double boiler method; it ensures no scrambling and a silky smooth custard. Once the sugar is dissolved (test by rubbing a bit between your fingers—it should feel smooth, not grainy), whisk in your molasses, spices, salt, and vanilla. Chill this mixture quickly in an ice bath to speed things up, then fold in the cold mascarpone. Finally, whip 1 ½ cups of heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold it in gently—this lightens the custard, giving it that classic tiramisu fluffiness.

Step 2: Mix the Gingerbread Coffee Soak

While the custard chills, brew strong gingerbread coffee and stir in sugar so it cools down and sweetens gently. The gingerbread coffee is key here—if you can’t find the pre-flavored kind, a good strong coffee with homemade gingerbread spices added will do the trick beautifully. This soak infuses the lady fingers with both moisture and festive flavor.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Quickly dunk the lady fingers just a second in the coffee so they soak but don’t get soggy, then create a single layer at the bottom of your pan (I use an 8×8 for perfect portion sizes). Scoop generous amounts of the gingerbread mascarpone on top and spread. Then add a layer of crisp gingerbread cookies right on top—these don’t get dunked and maintain a wonderful crunch. Repeat layers ending with a smooth finish of the mascarpone mixture.

Step 4: Finish with Fluffy Whipped Cream and Cocoa

Whip the remaining half cup of heavy cream until stiff and gently fold that into any leftover mascarpone filling. Use a piping bag to dot this creamy topping all over the tiramisu surface. It looks charming and adds a perfect lightness. Dust generously with cocoa powder and decorate with extra gingerbread cookies for that final festive touch.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Pop the tiramisu into the fridge at least overnight, or preferably a full 24 hours—that wait time allows the flavors to marry and develop that melt-in-your-mouth texture. When you’re ready, slice and serve this showstopper dessert. Trust me, it’s worth every moment of the wait!

Top Tip

Having made this Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe multiple times, I've learned a few tricks to help it come out perfect every time. These little pointers will save you stress and keep everything silky and flavorful.

Double Boiler Bliss: Don’t rush the egg yolk and sugar step—dissolve the sugar fully over gently simmering water to avoid graininess.
Ice Bath Chill: Cooling the custard quickly with an ice bath ensures the mascarpone mixes in smoothly without clumping or melting.
Dunk Lady Fingers Quickly: A quick 1-second dunk in coffee keeps lady fingers from getting soggy and falling apart, maintaining nice texture layers.
Overnight Rest is Key: Though it’s tempting, do give the tiramisu at least 8 hours (ideally 24) in the fridge to let flavors meld luxuriously.

How to Serve Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe

gingerbread tiramisu - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping my Gingerbread Tiramisu with a dusting of high-quality cocoa powder and a few extra gingerbread cookies for crunch and charm. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of finely chopped crystallized ginger or a few chocolate shavings for a little extra zing—these touches make it feel truly special and inviting.

Side Dishes

Pair this dessert with a simple cup of hot chai or spiced apple cider to complement the warm notes. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream on the side is also a cozy, crowd-pleasing addition.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to serve this tiramisu in individual glass jars or clear cups so guests can see the beautiful layered effect. Adding a sprig of fresh rosemary or a thin slice of candied orange peel on top gives a festive look and adds a wonderful aroma to the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers keep beautifully covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I like to loosely cover the tiramisu with plastic wrap or a reusable lid to prevent the cocoa powder from absorbing moisture and clumping.

Freezing

I’ve frozen Gingerbread Tiramisu a couple of times for holiday meal prep. Wrap it tightly to avoid freezer burn and thaw fully in the fridge overnight. While the texture softens a little, the flavor remains rich and cozy—perfect when you’re short on time.

Reheating

Since it’s a chilled dessert, I recommend enjoying tiramisu cold. If you want to warm it slightly, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving—this helps the flavors bloom without melting the structure.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular coffee instead of gingerbread coffee?

Yes! If you don’t have gingerbread coffee, regular strong brewed coffee works well—consider adding ground spices like cinnamon and ginger to the coffee before brewing to mimic that festive flavor.

How do I ensure my egg yolk custard doesn’t scramble?

Use a double boiler setup and whisk constantly over simmering water. The gentle heat combined with constant movement dissolves sugar and cooks yolks evenly, preventing scrambling.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! Making this tiramisu a day ahead is ideal, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to set into that signature creamy delight. Just keep it refrigerated and covered.

What’s the best way to serve Gingerbread Tiramisu?

Serve chilled with a dusting of cocoa powder and optionally some gingerbread cookies or chocolate shavings on top. Pair it with a warm drink like spiced cider or chai for a cozy holiday feel.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread Tiramisu Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it combines two beloved flavors in such a charming way. It’s one of those desserts that not only tastes amazing, but feels like you put in a little extra love—especially when shared with friends or family. I hope you enjoy making and savoring it just as much as I do!