Name: Earl Grey Tiramisu
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 6 h 40 min
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 6 Earl Grey tea bags; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon dark rum (optional); 6 large egg yolks; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/3 cup water; 16 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature; 1 1/2 cups heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 7 ounces ladyfingers (about 24 pieces); 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, for dusting; Optional: edible flowers or lemon zest for garnish

Why You’ll Love Earl Grey Tiramisu Recipe

This recipe brings together the elegant flavors of Earl Grey tea and creamy tiramisu in a refreshingly light dessert. There’s no oven required — it’s all about chilling, soaking, and building layers of flavor. It’s perfect for entertaining, tea lovers, and anyone looking for a dessert that’s both comforting and unique.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Earl Grey Tea Concentrate
1 ½ cups water
3 tablespoons loose leaf Earl Grey tea (or 9 Earl Grey tea bags)
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla paste (or extract)
pinch of kosher salt

For the Mascarpone Whipped Cream
1 ¼ cups cold heavy cream
1 (8-ounce) container cold mascarpone
1 tablespoon pure vanilla paste (or extract)
4 large pasteurized egg yolks
½ cup granulated sugar
pinch of kosher salt

Assembly
26 ladyfingers (about 7.65 ounces)

Directions

Make the Earl Grey tea concentrate: bring the water to a boil, add the Earl Grey tea, and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture into a bowl with the sugar, pressing gently to extract as much flavor as possible. Whisk in vanilla and salt. Let cool completely.
In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Add mascarpone and vanilla and whisk until just combined. Transfer the mixture to another bowl and refrigerate.
In the same mixing bowl (no need to clean it), combine the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and salt. Beat on medium-high speed until pale, fluffy, and doubled in volume.
Fold half of the whipped cream mixture into the egg mixture. Once incorporated, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream until you have a smooth, fluffy mascarpone cream.
Dip each ladyfinger briefly into the cooled tea concentrate and place them in a single layer at the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan.
Spread half of the mascarpone cream mixture evenly over the soaked ladyfingers.
Repeat the process with another layer of dipped ladyfingers and the remaining mascarpone cream.
Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to soften.

Servings and timing

Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Active time: 30 minutes
Chill time: at least 8 hours (preferably overnight)
Total time: about 35 minutes, plus chilling

Variations

• Matcha Tiramisu – Replace Earl Grey with a concentrated matcha mixture for a bold green tea flavor.
• Lavender Earl Grey – Add a small amount of dried culinary lavender to the tea for floral depth.
• Lemon Zest Addition – Stir lemon zest into the mascarpone cream for a brighter citrus twist.
• Chocolate Version – Add a dusting of cocoa powder or shaved chocolate between layers for richness.
• Berry Tiramisu – Add fresh raspberries or blueberries between layers for a fruity contrast.

Storage/Reheating

Store any leftover tiramisu in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for up to 3 days. It’s best served cold, directly from the fridge. Freezing is not recommended, as the creamy texture may become grainy and the ladyfingers may turn mushy upon thawing. Reheating is not necessary or suitable for this dessert.

FAQs

How can I make this tiramisu without raw egg yolks?

Use pasteurized eggs to reduce risk, or replace the egg mixture with stabilized whipped cream for an egg-free version.

What if I don’t have loose leaf Earl Grey tea?

You can use 9 Earl Grey tea bags instead. Simply cut them open to use the tea leaves or steep them as is.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. This dessert actually improves after chilling for several hours or overnight, making it a great make-ahead option.

How many people does this dessert serve?

An 8-inch square pan yields about 6 to 8 servings, depending on portion size.

Can I use flavored ladyfingers?

Yes, flavored ladyfingers like lemon or vanilla can add more complexity and complement the tea flavor well.

What if I don’t have vanilla paste?

Pure vanilla extract is a perfect substitute. The paste adds visual vanilla flecks, but the flavor will still be excellent.

Do I need a stand mixer to make this?

A hand mixer also works well. Whipping the cream and yolk mixture by hand would be difficult and not recommended.

Can I freeze this tiramisu?

No, freezing is not ideal. The cream may separate and the texture of the ladyfingers can become soggy when thawed.

Why do the ladyfingers need to soak in tea?

Soaking softens the cookies and allows them to absorb the tea’s flavor, creating the moist, tender texture tiramisu is known for.

Is this a good dessert for warm weather?

Yes, it’s served chilled and doesn’t require baking, making it perfect for hot summer days or afternoon tea parties.

Conclusion

This Earl Grey tiramisu offers a beautiful blend of floral tea and creamy indulgence. With no oven required and easy prep ahead of time, it’s a standout dessert for gatherings, celebrations, or anytime you crave something a little different. Elegant, light, and full of flavor — it’s a modern twist on a timeless favorite.

Earl Grey Tiramisu