Here’s a fun twist on the classic Tiramisu—a Pistachio Tiramisu! The creamy layers are flavored with pistachio and a hint of espresso, making for a delightful, nutty dessert.
Ingredients:
For the Pistachio Cream:
- 1 cup shelled pistachios (preferably unsalted, raw or roasted)
- 1 ½ cups mascarpone cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp pistachio paste (or a bit more ground pistachios if you can’t find paste)
For the Coffee Layer:
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee (cooled to room temperature)
- 2 tbsp coffee liqueur (optional, or use more coffee)
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
For Assembling:
- 1 package ladyfingers (about 24)
- Crushed pistachios (for garnish)
- Cocoa powder or melted chocolate (optional, for garnish)
Directions:
1. Prepare the Pistachio Cream:
- Blend the pistachios: In a food processor, pulse the pistachios until finely ground (you should have about ½ cup of ground pistachios).
- Make the pistachio cream: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and pistachio paste. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form (don’t over-whip).
- Fold the whipped cream into the pistachio mixture gently until well combined, being careful not to deflate the whipped cream.
2. Prepare the Coffee Layer:
- In a shallow dish, combine the brewed coffee and coffee liqueur (and sugar, if using). Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool completely.
3. Assemble the Tiramisu:
- Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture, making sure not to soak them too long (they should be moist but not soggy).
- Layer the bottom of a serving dish (a 9×9-inch dish works well) with a single layer of dipped ladyfingers.
- Spread half of the pistachio cream mixture evenly over the ladyfingers.
- Repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers and top with the remaining pistachio cream.
4. Chill:
- Cover the tiramisu and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set.
5. Garnish and Serve:
- Before serving, sprinkle the top with crushed pistachios, cocoa powder, or drizzle some melted chocolate for an extra touch.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Tips:
- If you can’t find pistachio paste, you can blend more pistachios into a paste-like consistency and use that, or simply add more finely ground pistachios to the cream.
- For an extra creamy texture, you can use a bit of whipped cream in the coffee layer as well!
- If you’re making this ahead of time, it gets even better after a day or two in the fridge as the flavors have more time to develop.
This Pistachio Tiramisu is a rich, nutty variation of the classic, with a luxurious flavor that’s perfect for any special occasion!