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    The Heirloom Pantry » Recipe Index » Sweets

    Tiramisu Trifle with Pumpkin Spice

    Published: Sep 28, 2021 · Modified: Sep 18, 2022 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

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    Tiramisu Trifle with Pumpkin Spice Pinterest
    Tiramisu Trifle with Pumpkin Spice Pinterest

    Tiramisu Trifle with Pumpkin Spice is a creamy, eggless tiramisu with impressive layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and whipped mascarpone cream. This show-stopping easy tiramisu trifle showcases the warm fall flavors of coffee, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon sugar. Make this tiramisu recipe in a trifle bowl or in a traditional baking dish.

    Tiramisu trifle on a fall tablescape

    Tiramisu Trifle with Pumpkin Spice is a rich and delicious dessert that is perfect for fall gatherings, and can also be made all year long. It only calls for pumpkin spice and not actual pumpkin, so you are not bound to the availability of canned or fresh pumpkin.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tips
    • Related Recipes
    • Did You Like This Recipe?
    • Tiramisu Trifle with Pumpkin Spice

    Tiramisu means "pick me up" in Italian, and this caffeinated cake lives up to its name. The espresso-soaked ladyfingers have a deep coffee flavor that packs a flavorful punch in every bite. It's a pumpkin spice twist on a traditional tiramisu. Each slice is full of warm fall flavors, like cinnamon sugar, pumpkin syrup, and pumpkin pie spices.

    This tiramisu recipe is the perfect dessert for a Thanksgiving Menu and for entertaining! It is seemingly difficult to make because of its many layers, yet it is incredibly easy to assemble.

    It will quickly become one of your favorite desserts and your guests will love it. The height is impressive and the clear trifle dish displays the exquisite tiramisu layers. Serve it with coffee or tea for a rich and decadent dessert.

    Ingredients

    ladyfingers, mascarpone, heavy whipping cream, pumpkin syrup, sugar, brewed espresso, rum, cinnamon, pumpkin spice
    • Ladyfingers - Ladyfingers, or savoiardi in Italian, are light and airy sweet sponge cake biscuits. They are long and resemble fingers. They quickly absorb liquid and are the traditional base for tiramisu. Find ladyfingers at your local grocery store or Italian specialty store.
    • Brewed espresso - Coffee adds the classic tiramisu flavor to the recipe. Use a dark roast or classic Italian espresso roast made in an espresso machine or Moka espresso maker. You can use an instant espresso too. A dark roast has a deeper, more concentrated coffee flavor than an instant or light roast coffee.
    • Pumpkin spice - Pumpkin spice is a mix of ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. It is the traditional mix of spices that are commonly used in pumpkin pie.
    • Rum or brandy - Rum or brandy add a depth of flavor to the coffee mixture.
    • Heavy whipping cream - Heavy whipping cream is the base for whipped cream. The whipped cream is folded into the mascarpone cheese and is layered between the ladyfingers.
    • Mascarpone cheese - Mascarpone cheese is Italian cream cheese. It is made from cream and contains 60-75% milk fat. Mascarpone becomes light and fluffy once whipped. The mascarpone cream mixture has a pudding-like texture.
    • Pumpkin syrup - Pumpkin syrup is a pumpkin pie-flavored simple syrup consisting of pumpkin puree, sugar, and pumpkin pie spices. It adds a sweet fall flavor to coffee and desserts. Make your own or purchase a pre-made store-bought option.
    • Sugar - Sugar adds a sweetness to the mascarpone and is the base for the cinnamon sugar mixture.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Substitutions

    • Pumpkin spice coffee - use a pumpkin spice dark roast blend instead of regular coffee. This will add even more pumpkin spice fall flavors to the dessert.
    • Decaf - use decaf espresso instead of a caffeinated roast.
    • Caramel - add caramel sauce to the mascarpone instead of pumpkin pie syrup if caramel sauce is more easily accessible.
    • Gluten-free - use gluten-free ladyfingers to make the dessert gluten free-friendly.
    • Whipped cream - use a high-quality store-bought whipped cream instead of making your own to save time.

    Variations

    • Baking dish - use a baking dish instead of a trifle to make a standard size tiramisu.
    • Chocolate - add cocoa powder and sweet chocolate shavings to make the tiramisu chocolatey. To achieve chocolate shavings, use a microplane grater.
    • Kid friendly - omit alcohol and use decaf coffee to make this tiramisu trifle kid-friendly. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to add depth to the coffee.
    • Sponge cake - use sliced sponge cake instead of ladyfingers for a sturdier tiramisu with a spongey texture.
    • Berries - add fresh berries between each layer of mascarpone and lady fingers for a fresh, fruity flavor.
    • Egg yolks - add 2 pasture-raised egg yolks to the mascarpone cream for an even richer consistency.

    Instructions

    Torani pumpkin syrup being poured into bowl of mascarpone cheese cream
    Mascarpone cheese and whipped cream being folded into a glass mixing bowl with a silicone spatula
    • Make whipped cream - First, place a glass or metal mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes. This technique keeps the cream cold and allows the fat in cream trap the air bubbles and make the whipped cream light and airy. Place the heavy whipping cream in the bowl and whisk by hand or using an electric stand mixer or handheld mixer until the cream forms stiff peaks, about 3-4 minutes. Do not over mix or the cream will become lumpy. 
    • Make mascarpone mixture - In a separate large bowl, mix mascarpone, pumpkin syrup, and sugar. Gently fold in the whipped cream into the mascarpone using a spatula. Do not over mix or the cream will become grainy. 
    Hand placing a layer of ladyfingers in a trifle bowl for tiramisu.
    Hand smoothing mascarpone cream on top of ladyfingers in a glass trifle bowl.
    Hand dusting cinnamon sugar on top of a trifle tiramisu.
    • Layer ladyfingers and mascarpone mixture - In a separate medium bowl, stir together coffee, pumpkin spice, and rum. Quickly dip the ladyfingers one at a time to lightly wet the cookies, not soak them. Place in a single layer in the bottom of the trifle. Add a dollop of cream and smooth over with a spoon or offset spatula. Add another layer of coffee-dipped lady fingers, then another layer or mascarpone cream until you have 4-5 layers of ladyfingers and cream.
    • Dust with cinnamon sugar - In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Dust cinnamon sugar on top of tiramisu. Lastly, refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. 

    Pro tip: Make the tiramisu trifle the night before you want to serve to allow the cake to chill and save time the day of serving.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is tiramisu better the next day?

    Yes, we prefer to make it the day before we want to serve it because the ladyfingers will become extra flavorful. The additional time will allow the biscuits to soak up all of the coffee and mascarpone cream.

    Can tiramisu be left out overnight?

    No, this tiramisu contains mascarpone cheese and should be refrigerated overnight.

    Can tiramisu keep you awake?

    It can keep you awake if you are sensitive to caffeine or eat a lot of the trifle. However, one piece should not keep you awake. If you are concerned about the trifle keeping you awake, use decaf coffee.

    Equipment

    Trifle tiramisu requires common kitchen essentials used for other recipes. To make this recipe, you need a measuring cup, measuring spoon, silicone baking spatula, mixing bowls, offset spatula or spoon, and a trifle bowl.

    To make this recipe as a standard 2-3 layer tiramisu, use a 9x13 baking dish instead of a trifle bowl.

    Tiramisu trifle on top of tablecloth with green and white flowers

    Storage

    Use a cover or wrap to cover the top of the trifle and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make the tiramisu up to 2 days in advance of serving. You can also freeze the tiramisu in an air-tight baking dish or divided into slices in smaller air-tight containers for up to 4 months. Remove and thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

    Do not freeze the trifle dish, as it is difficult to get an air-tight seal on the serving dish.

    Top tips

    • Chill your mixing bowl before you make the whipped cream. This keeps the heavy whipped cream fat cold and prevents the fat from melting.
    • Don't soak the ladyfingers in the coffee mixture for too long! Quickly dip the ladyfingers to wet them and do not soak them through. They will get too soggy and the tiramisu will not hold its shape upon serving if the biscuits are soaked through.
    • Use an offset spatula or a spoon to evenly smooth out the mascarpone mixture between layers. The offset spatula is thin enough to create precise swoops with minimal mess.

    Related Recipes

    • Blackberry Lemon Bread
    • Baileys Hot Chocolate (Spiked Hot Cocoa)
    • Clementine Olive Oil Cake
    • White Peach and Cherry Galette

    Did You Like This Recipe?

    Love this trifle recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & consider leaving a comment below. Thanks!

    Tiramisu in a glass trifle bowl with green and white flowers
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Tiramisu Trifle with Pumpkin Spice

    Tiramisu Trifle with Pumpkin Spice is a creamy, eggless tiramisu with impressive layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and whipped mascarpone cream. This show-stopping trifle showcases the warm fall flavors of coffee, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon sugar. Make this tiramisu recipe in a trifle bowl or in a traditional baking dish.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Resting time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 30 mins
    Course: Dessert, Sweets
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 467kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    Equipment

    • 1 measuring cup
    • 1 measuring spoon
    • 1 silicone baking spatula
    • 1 Mixing bowls
    • 1 offset spatula
    • 1 trifle bowl

    Ingredients 

    Tiramisu Trifle

    • 300 grams Ladyfingers 36 cookies
    • 2 cups brewed espresso or dark roast coffee
    • 2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
    • 3 tablespoon rum or brandy optional
    • 1 ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
    • 16 oz mascarpone cheese
    • ½ cup Torani pumpkin sauce
    • ¼ cup sugar

    Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

    • 3 tablespoon sugar
    • 2 teaspoon cinnamon

    Instructions

    • Place a glass or metal mixing bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes. Place the heavy whipping cream in the bowl and whisk by hand or using an electric mixer until the cream forms stiff peaks, about 3-4 minutes. Do not over mix or the cream will become lumpy.
      1 ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
    • In a separate large bowl, mix mascarpone, Torani pumpkin sauce, and sugar. Gently fold in the whipped cream into the mascarpone using a spatula. Do not over mix or the cream will become grainy.
      16 oz mascarpone cheese, ½ cup Torani pumpkin sauce, 3 tablespoon sugar
    • In a separate medium bowl, stir together coffee, pumpkin spice, and rum. Quickly dip the ladyfingers one at a time just until the cookies are wet, not soaked. Place in a single layer in the bottom of the trifle. Add a dollop of cream and smooth over with a spoon or offset spatula. Add another layer of coffee-dipped lady fingers, then another layer or mascarpone cream until you have 4-5 layers of ladyfingers and cream.
      2 cups brewed espresso or dark roast coffee, 2 teaspoon pumpkin spice, 3 tablespoon rum or brandy, 300 grams Ladyfingers
    • In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Dust cinnamon sugar on top of tiramisu. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
      ¼ cup sugar, 2 teaspoon cinnamon

    Notes

    Storage
    Use a cover or wrap to cover the top of the trifle and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The ladyfingers will get mushy and break down after a few days.Make the tiramisu up to 2 days in advance of serving. As a result, the ladyfingers will become extra flavorful and the additional time will allow the biscuits to soak up all of the coffee and mascarpone cream.
    Top Tips
    • Chill the mixing bowl before making the whipped cream. This keeps the heavy whipped cream fat cold and prevents the fat from melting.
    • Don't soak the ladyfingers in the coffee mixture for too long! Quickly dip them to wet them but do not soak them through or they will get too soggy and the tiramisu will not hold its shape upon serving.
    • Use an offset spatula or a spoon to evenly smooth out the mascarpone mixture between layers. The offset spatula is thin enough to create precise swoops with minimal mess.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 467kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 152mg | Sodium: 87mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1241IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword: fall dessert, italian tiramisu, pumpkin spice, pumpkin spice dessert, pumpkin spice tiramisu, pumpkin tiramisu, tiramisu
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

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    About the Author

    Kat Higashiyama and Alec Totto are recipe developers, food photographers, and the authors behind The Heirloom Pantry. Since 2017, they have shared recipes inspired by their Japanese and Italian heritage and California and Hawaii roots. They reside in San Jose with their two dogs, Peeps and Paisley. Read More…

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