Dulce De Leche Tiramisu Recipe
Introduction
Dulce De Leche Tiramisu is a luscious twist on the classic Italian dessert, combining rich mascarpone cream with the sweet and caramel notes of dulce de leche. This no-bake treat layers soft ladyfingers, coffee, and a dreamy creamy filling, making it perfect for any special occasion or a delightful indulgence at home.

Ingredients
- 6 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups mascarpone
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons dulce de leche
- Pinch of salt to taste
- Two 4.4-ounce boxes of soft ladyfingers (St. Michel recommended)
- 2 cups strong coffee or espresso
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- Chocolate bar for shaving/topping
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and ribbons off the beaters in a silky, steady stream. Add the mascarpone cheese and beat again until fully combined.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream on high until soft peaks form (about 1-2 minutes). Mix in the dulce de leche and add a pinch of salt to taste, blending until smooth.
- Step 3: Gently fold the dulce de leche whipped cream into the egg yolk and mascarpone mixture until well combined and creamy.
- Step 4: Prepare an 11×7-inch pan by dusting the bottom with cocoa powder using a fine mesh strainer. This helps absorb excess moisture from the espresso.
- Step 5: Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the strong coffee or espresso, counting slowly to three while flipping to coat all sides. Avoid soaking too long to prevent sogginess. Arrange a layer of dipped ladyfingers covering the pan’s bottom.
- Step 6: Spread half of the creamy mixture evenly over the ladyfingers. Repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers, then top with the remaining cream mixture.
- Step 7: Finish by dusting the top with cocoa powder and garnish with chocolate shavings from a chocolate bar.
- Step 8: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally 12 to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set.
- Step 9: Serve chilled. For extra indulgence, dust with additional cocoa powder or chocolate shavings before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use high-quality, soft ladyfingers like St. Michel for the perfect texture and slight sugar crunch on top.
- Substitute decaf coffee if you prefer, but make sure it’s strong and rich to maintain the dessert’s bold flavor.
- For a boozy twist, add a tablespoon of coffee liqueur to the espresso before dipping the ladyfingers.
- If mascarpone is unavailable, a mix of cream cheese and heavy cream can be used, but the flavor will be slightly different.
- Make sure not to over-soak the ladyfingers, or the tiramisu will become too soggy and difficult to slice.
Storage
Store Dulce De Leche Tiramisu covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors improve with time, so it’s best enjoyed after setting overnight. When reheating, it’s recommended to serve chilled or at room temperature without warming to preserve its creamy texture.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make Dulce De Leche Tiramisu ahead of time?
Yes, this dessert actually benefits from making it in advance. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally 12-24 hours, to let the flavors meld and the texture firm up perfectly.
What can I use if I can’t find dulce de leche?
If dulce de leche is not available, you can substitute with caramel sauce, but the authentic flavor will be lighter. Homemade dulce de leche is also an option if you have the time.
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Dulce De Leche Tiramisu Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time, preferably 12-24 hours chilling)
- Yield: 8–10 servings 1x
Description
This Dulce De Leche Tiramisu is a luscious twist on the classic Italian dessert, combining rich mascarpone and whipping cream with the caramel sweetness of dulce de leche. Soft ladyfingers are briefly dipped in strong coffee, layered with a creamy mixture, and dusted generously with cocoa powder and chocolate shavings. The dessert is chilled until set, resulting in a decadent, silky tiramisu with a perfect balance of coffee bitterness and caramel sweetness.
Ingredients
Custard & Cream Base
- 6 egg yolks
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups mascarpone cheese
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons dulce de leche
- Pinch of salt, to taste
Assembly
- Two 4.4-ounce boxes soft ladyfingers (preferably St. Michel)
- 2 cups strong coffee or espresso (decaf optional but should be rich and strong)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- Chocolate bar for shavings/topping
Instructions
- Prepare Egg Yolk and Sugar Mixture: Using an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. The mixture should ribbon off the beaters in a silky, steady stream, indicating thorough mixing.
- Incorporate Mascarpone: Add mascarpone cheese to the egg yolk and sugar mixture. Beat again until fully combined and smooth.
- Whip Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream on high speed for 1-2 minutes until it forms stiff peaks of whipped cream.
- Add Dulce de Leche and Salt: Mix the dulce de leche into the whipped cream, followed by a pinch of salt to taste. Mix gently to incorporate evenly.
- Combine Mixtures: Carefully fold the dulce de leche whipped cream into the mascarpone and egg yolk mixture until fully combined, maintaining a light and fluffy texture.
- Prepare Pan: Take an 11×7 inch pan (or similar size) and use a fine mesh strainer to sift cocoa powder evenly across the bottom. This absorbs excess moisture from the espresso, preventing sogginess.
- Dip Ladyfingers: Briefly dip each ladyfinger in the strong coffee or espresso. Count slowly to 3, flipping sides (back, front, back) to coat but avoid soaking, which will cause them to become soggy.
- Layer Dessert: Arrange the dipped ladyfingers to cover the bottom of the pan. Spread half of the creamy mascarpone and dulce de leche mixture evenly over the ladyfingers. Repeat the dipping and layering process with the remaining ladyfingers and finish by spreading the rest of the creamy mixture on top.
- Finish Layers: Dust the top generously with cocoa powder using a fine mesh strainer and add chocolate shavings from a chocolate bar for a decorative and flavorful finish.
- Chill: Cover the tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally 12-24 hours, to let the flavors meld and the dessert set properly.
- Serve: Cut into slices and serve chilled. Optionally, add extra cocoa powder or chocolate shavings on top for presentation and added taste.
Notes
- Use St. Michel soft ladyfingers for the best texture and slight sugar crunch.
- For the dulce de leche, canned variety from Target or Cub Foods works well.
- Ensure coffee or espresso is rich and strong for optimal flavor; decaf can be used but loses some intensity.
- Mascarpone cheese should be fresh and at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Be careful not to soak the ladyfingers too long to prevent the dessert from becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Keywords: dulce de leche tiramisu, easy tiramisu recipe, no bake dessert, coffee dessert, dulce de leche recipe, mascarpone dessert, Italian dessert, layered dessert

