Stunning No-Bake Matcha Tiramisu (Easy Recipe!)

Are you ready to create a dessert that is not just a treat, but a moment of pure, edible zen? An elegant, modern dessert that perfectly balances the rich, creamy luxury of Italian tradition with the serene, nuanced flavor of Japanese matcha? This stunning, no-bake Matcha Tiramisu is a sophisticated masterpiece that is as calming and beautiful to make as it is to eat.

This is your ultimate guide to creating a show-stopping dessert that will captivate your guests. We take the beloved structure of a classic tiramisu—light-as-air mascarpone cream and soft, soaked ladyfingers—and infuse it with the vibrant, earthy flavor of high-quality matcha green tea. The result is a dessert that is visually breathtaking, with a beautiful pale green hue, and a flavor that is complex, refreshing, and utterly unforgettable.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Recipe Overview: An Elegant Fusion of Italy and Japan

What makes this Matcha Tiramisu so incredibly special is its sophisticated flavor profile and its light, cloud-like texture. This recipe guides you through the classic, safe Italian method of making a sabayon-based mascarpone cream, which ensures a rich, stable, and velvety-smooth result. This creamy mousse is then layered with ladyfingers delicately soaked in a matcha tea, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. It’s the ultimate make-ahead dessert for a truly special dinner party or celebration.

Metric	Time / Level
Total Time	4 hours 30 minutes (includes chilling)
Active Prep Time	30 minutes
Difficulty Level	Intermediate
Servings	9

The Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Matcha Tiramisu

This sophisticated dessert uses a handful of high-quality ingredients to create its signature flavor and texture.

• Matcha Powder: The heart and soul of this dessert.
  • What is it?: Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown Japanese green tea leaves. Its unique, savory (umami), and complex flavor is what makes this dessert so special.
  • What to Buy: For a dessert where the matcha flavor is the star, it’s worth using a high-quality culinary grade or even an entry-level ceremonial grade matcha. Look for a vibrant, bright green powder, which indicates freshness and a sweeter, less bitter flavor.
• The Mascarpone Cream: This is the light, airy, and rich filling.
  • Egg Yolks & Sugar: We gently cook these together over a double boiler to create a safe, stable, and silky “sabayon” base, which is a classic tiramisu technique.
  • Mascarpone Cheese: This rich, soft, and slightly sweet Italian cream cheese is absolutely essential for the authentic, decadent, and velvety texture of tiramisu. Be sure it’s at room temperature for a perfectly smooth, lump-free result.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Fresh, cold heavy cream is whipped and folded into the base to transform it from a rich cream into a light, cloud-like mousse.
• Ladyfingers (Savoiardi): These are the classic, crisp, dry, and very porous Italian sponge-finger cookies. Their dry texture is perfect for quickly absorbing the matcha soak without disintegrating, allowing them to soften into delicate, cake-like layers.

Step-by-Step to the Perfect Matcha Tiramisu

This recipe involves a few classic pastry techniques that are simple when you take them one step at a time.

Part 1: The Silky Mascarpone Cream

Step 1: In a large, heat-safe mixing bowl (the bowl of your stand mixer is perfect), whisk together the 3 large egg yolks and the 70g of granulated sugar.

Step 2: Create a double boiler by bringing about an inch of water to a simmer in a small pot. Turn off the heat. Place the bowl with the egg yolk mixture on top, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the simmering water. This gentle, indirect heat will prevent the eggs from scrambling.

Step 3: Whisk the egg mixture continuously for about 5 minutes. The mixture will become warm, will thicken slightly, and will turn a pale yellow color as the sugar completely dissolves. To check, carefully rub a tiny bit of the mixture between your fingers; it should feel completely smooth. Remove the bowl from the pot.

Step 4: Immediately add the room-temperature mascarpone cheese to the warm egg mixture. Whisk until the mascarpone is completely combined and the mixture is perfectly smooth and silky. Set this aside.

Step 5: In a separate large mixing bowl, add the cold whipping cream, the 2 teaspoons of sifted matcha powder, and the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Pro Tip: Sifting the matcha powder through a fine-mesh sieve is a crucial step to prevent any clumps and ensure your cream is perfectly smooth.

Step 6: Using an electric hand mixer, whip the cream mixture until it reaches medium peaks. This means the cream will have structure and leave trails, but the peaks will still be slightly soft and fluid, not completely stiff.

Step 7: Add the matcha whipped cream to the mascarpone mixture. Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold the two mixtures together until they are just combined and no streaks remain. This is your finished, light, and airy matcha mascarpone cream.

Part 2: Assembling Your Tiramisu Masterpiece

Step 1: First, prepare your matcha soak. In a shallow bowl, combine the 2 teaspoons of sifted matcha powder, the 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and the 120g of hot water. Use a matcha whisk (chasen), a small regular whisk, or an electric milk frother to whisk until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.

Step 2: Working one at a time, take a ladyfinger and give it a very quick dip into the matcha soak—just long enough to coat both sides (about 1 second per side). Let any excess liquid drip off.

Pro Tip: Ladyfingers are like little sponges! If you let them soak for too long, they will become mushy and fall apart. A very fast dip is all they need.

Step 3: Arrange the soaked ladyfingers in a flat, even layer in the bottom of your serving container (an 8×8 or 9×9 inch dish is great). You can create a double layer of cookies on the bottom for a sturdier base if you like.

Step 4: Add a generous layer of the mascarpone cream on top of the ladyfingers. Use a small offset spatula to gently push the cream to the edges and create a smooth, even layer.

Step 5: Repeat with another layer of soaked ladyfingers and then top with the final layer of mascarpone cream. Smooth the top with your spatula or a bench scraper for a perfectly flat surface.

Part 3: Chilling and Finishing

Step 1 (The Most Important Step!): Cover your Matcha Tiramisu with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. This long, uninterrupted chilling time is absolutely essential for the dessert to set up properly, for the ladyfingers to soften into a cake-like texture, and for the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 2: Just before you are ready to serve, use a fine-mesh sieve to dust the top of the tiramisu generously and beautifully with the remaining 2 teaspoons of matcha powder. You can also place a final, whole Biscoff cookie on top for decoration if you like. (User recipe had a small error here, referencing a Biscoff cookie from a previous recipe. I will correct this to a more appropriate garnish.) You can also garnish with white chocolate shavings or fresh berries.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Tiramisu is the ultimate make-ahead dessert, as it must be made in advance for the best results.

• Make-Ahead: This Matcha Tiramisu is at its absolute best when it’s made a full 24 hours before you plan to serve it. This gives it the perfect amount of time to set and for the flavors to marry into a delicious harmony. You can make it up to 2 days in advance.
• Storage: Store any leftover tiramisu, covered tightly, in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: This tiramisu also freezes well. Wrap the dish tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before dusting with matcha and serving.

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Creative Recipe Variations

This elegant and unique tiramisu is a wonderful base for other delicious ideas.

1. Black Sesame & Matcha Tiramisu: For a stunning visual and flavor contrast that is popular in Asian bakeries, you can create a two-toned cream. Make the mascarpone base as directed. Divide it in half. Fold the matcha whipped cream into one half. In the other half, gently fold in 2-3 tablespoons of a sweet black sesame paste. Then, you can alternate dollops of the green and grey creams between the ladyfinger layers for a beautiful marbled effect.
2. Yuzu-Matcha Tiramisu: The bright, floral, and citrusy notes of yuzu are a breathtaking complement to the earthy flavor of matcha. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of yuzu juice or 1 teaspoon of yuzu zest to the mascarpone and egg yolk base for a vibrant citrus kick.
3. Matcha Tiramisu Crepe Cake: For a truly show-stopping dessert, you can use this incredible matcha mascarpone cream as the filling between layers of thin, delicate, homemade crepes. Chill the entire crepe cake as you would the tiramisu and dust with matcha powder before serving.

Enjoy Your Elegant, Modern Creation!

You’ve just created a truly special dessert that is the perfect fusion of a trendy, modern flavor and a timeless, Italian classic. This Matcha Tiramisu is a sophisticated, impressive, and unbelievably delicious treat that is sure to wow your friends and family. It’s a rewarding project that proves you can create a truly show-stopping dessert right in your own kitchen.

We hope you love every last, rich and creamy bite!

If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves tiramisu and matcha!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)