This Salted Caramel Tiramisu is a rich twist on the Italian classic—layers of espresso-soaked biscuits, fluffy caramel cream, and ribbons of salted caramel. Sweet, salty, and perfectly balanced. It’s easy to make, even better overnight, and doesn’t require mascarpone or ricotta. After many trials, this one hits just right! And of course, it is alcohol free.
If coffee and chocolate are your vibes, don’t miss my Whipped Mocha Latte—it’s perfect for an easy at-home treat. And the No-Bake Chocolate Oats Bars! They are rich, chocolatey, and require zero oven time like Tiramisu.
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Ingredients and Substitutes
Here are a couple of pointers and notes about the ingredients.
- Creme Caramel Mix – Use any instant pudding or creme caramel mix that you like. We will use the caramel and the syrup topping from the packet.
- Ladyfingers – Savoiardi brand can be found in the cookie aisle at your local grocery store or online.
- Heavy whipping cream – Use chilled whipping cream to create an airy and stable whipped cream.
- Sugar – This dessert is generally well-balanced, and I only add a small amount of sugar to enhance the sweetness. However, if you’re using a heavy-handed approach with the caramel sauce, you can skip it altogether.
- Instant coffee – For ease, I am using instant coffee to make my espresso, but by all means, use any version of espresso you like.
- Caramel Sauce – Thin consistency, store-bought or homemade. If your sauce is thick, simply add water to dilute it.
- Salt – Adds the saltiness and balances all the flavors. If you have salted caramel at hand, then you don’t need salt separately.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities
Instructions
I’ve put together all the steps in a simple pictorial for you to see how easy this is to make.
Step 1: Whip the heavy cream in a large bowl until soft peaks are formed.
Step 2: Add Creme Caramel mix and sugar.
Step 3: Beat in the Creme caramel mix to create a smooth creme mix. Set aside.
Step 4: Make the espresso by dissolving the coffee and caramel syrup topping from the caramel packet in water.
Step 5: Dip the lady fingers in espresso and line them on the serving tray of your choice.
Step 6: Add half of the caramel cream and smooth it out.
Step 7: Top with a layer of caramel sauce and a pinch of salt.
Step 8: Repeat the lady finger layer.
Step 9: Add the remaining caramel creme and smooth it out.
Step 10: Drizzle caramel sauce all over the top and sprinkle rock salt all over.
SUGGESTION: This dessert is even better the next day, when the flavors have developed, and the textures have set.
Top Tips
- Always use a shallow bowl for dunking the lady fingers. Dip and remove. Don’t let them sit in the coffee, or else they get soggy.
- If you like the taste of unsweetened coffee, you can skip adding the caramel syrup topping to the espresso.
- Pop your mixing bowl in the freezer for a few minutes—cold bowls make it much easier to get perfectly stiff whipped cream.
- If you are using homemade salted caramel, it might be too thick to spread out like shown in the pictures. For a runnier consistency, just add your thick caramel to some warm water and mix it out.
Variations
You can use this recipe as a template to create other fun Tiramisu versions. Just substitute other delicious sauces instead of Salted Caramel. Here are a couple of ideas that complement coffee and creme caramel filling:
- Use sponge cake instead of lady fingers to make a cake version.
- You can add layers of chopped nuts to add a crunch.
- Use Chocolate and peanut butter sauce and sprinkle chopped peanuts to add crunch.
- Use strawberry syrup and fresh strawberries to make a Berrymisu.
- The popular pistachio paste and cocoa powder go beautifully with the coffee, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This recipe is freezable for over a month. When you want to have the tiramisu, thaw it in the fridge for a couple of hours, and it will be soft and ready to indulge.
It is best eaten within 5 to 6 days. IF you think you’ll want it after a week, best to freeze it.
Yes! You can use a sponge cake or even brioche bread to make this recipe. Obviously, it’ll be even further from the Classic Tiramisu, but hey, it’ll be a banging dessert!
More Dessert and Coffee Recipes
You’re gonna love these simple make-ahead desserts!
Do you have any questions? I’m happy to help! And of course, If you try this recipe, I’d loveeeee to see it or simply hear about it! Hit me up in the comment section below and I’ll get back to asap! Happy Cooking!
Salted Caramel Tiramisu
Ingredients
- 2 packets Vanilla Caramel mix Creme Caramel or Instant Pudding
- 1 packet Lady fingers Savoiardi brand can be found in the cookie aisle at your local grocery store, or online
- 2 cup heavy whipping cream chilled
- 1/4 cup sugar optional
- 2 tablespoon instant coffee
- 1/2 cup Caramel Sauce Thin consistency, store brought or homemade
- a pinch rock salt
Instructions
- Add whipping cream to a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed with an electric mixer (or use a stand mixer) for 3 to 4 minutes or until it becomes soft and fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla caramel mix and beat until you get a smooth mix. Set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, add coffee, water, and the caramel topping packet from the vanilla caramel box. Stir until the caramel fully dissolves.
- Dip the lady fingers in the coffee. Don't soak them, quickly dip them on both sides to get them wet, and lay them in a single layer on the bottom of an 8×8'' or a loaf style dish.
- Top the lady fingers with half of the caramel cream and smooth it out.
- Drizzle 2 to 4 tablespoons of caramel sauce all over the cream and sprinkle a pinch of salt.
- Add another layer of coffee dipped lady fingers and cover with the remaining caramel cream.
- Smooth the top out and drizzle caramel sauce all over the cream and sprinkle a pinch of salt.
- Refrigerate overnight or 24 hours to get a completely set dessert.
Notes
- Chill the mixing bowl for a few minutes before whipping; cold bowls help cream reach stiff peaks faster.
- I only add a small amount of sugar to enhance the sweetness. If you’re using a heavy-handed approach with the caramel sauce, you can skip the sugar.
- If you like the taste of unsweetened coffee, you can skip adding the caramel syrup topping to the espresso.
- Ideally, allow the dessert to chill overnight for the best results.
- This Tiramisu can be frozen for up to a month. To consume, thaw in the fridge for a couple of hours.
Masooma says
Hey! Can you tell me which brand of heavy cream can we use (in ????????). Thanks!
Wajiha says
Hi! I dont know where you live but there are a lot of brands of heavy cream which are good and can be used. If you live in the middle east you can go for Almarai heavy whip cream which you will find in the refrigerated sections. or elsewhere you can find Dreamwhip powdered whip cream which is a blue color box. Emborg also has a very good heavy whip cream option. Hope this helps. feel free to ask any other questions you have 🙂
Ingrid Rizzolo says
You are an amazing chef. I like the way you illustrated the step by step procedure to create your Caramel Tiramisu
Wajiha says
Thankyou so much! that is so sweet of you! glad you find it helpful!
Blair villanueva says
Tiramisu is something that me and my boyfriend both enjoyed. We love pairing it with brewed coffee.
Elizabeth Keene says
This looks so yummy! I can’t wait to try it. 🙂
Xoxo Elizabeth | http://www.akeenesenseofstyle.com
Wajiha says
🙂 aww thnx! Please do! I would love to hear your feedback!
Anonymous says
Wow, been looking for a recipe like this too! Would love to do this as well for my kids 🙂
Wajiha says
yess! kids would love it! usually kids dont like the bitter coffee taste, hopefully this solves that problem!
Meygan @ AllTheRooms says
Oooh, love that this recipe is healthy because I am a sucker for tiramisu!
Wajiha says
Me too! Hi5! haha lemme know when you try it!
Rachel Hart says
I have never tried making a tiramisu recipe before! This one looks like keeper. I might have to give it a go one day. Thanks for sharing!
~ Ray
Wajiha says
That sounds good to me 🙂