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inner lady finger layers of coconut tiramisu

Coconut Tiramisu

This tropical and Asian twist on tiramisu features layers of airy lady fingers and clouds of mascarpone cream, balanced with natural coconut sweetness.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Asian, Filipino
Keyword: cake, cheese, coconut, coconut milk, condensed milk, lady fingers, mascarpone, whipped cream
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Resting Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 466kcal

Equipment

  • 1 8" x 10.5" x 2" serving dish
  • 1 Electric Mixer
  • 1 medium bowl
  • 1 Large Bowl
  • 1 Heat safe Measuring glass

Ingredients

  • 1 cup regular canned coconut milk
  • 12 oz sweetened coconut condensed milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1 package 24-30 lady fingers IF you use a smaller or wider dish have two packets of lady fingers.
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 pint heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
  • 16 oz mascarpone cheese

Instructions

  • Add four egg yolks to a bowl. Then, add the vanilla extract and pinch of sea salt. Whisk until the yolks are smooth.
    1 tsp vanilla extract, 4 egg yolks, Pinch of sea salt
    egg yolks in bowl
  • Heat 1/2 cup of coconut condensed milk in a heat-safe measuring cup in the microwave or on the stovetop until it is just boiling. Right when it gets to a boil, remove from the heat.
    12 oz sweetened coconut condensed milk
    coconut condensed milk in measuring glass
  • Slowly pour in the hot coconut condensed milk into the egg mixture, whisking very quickly to temper the eggs. Keep whisking quickly for two minutes. The mixture will be warm and liquid. Be sure to pour in slowly and steadily, whisking very well.
    temper egg yolks whisk briskly
  • Get the mascarpone cheese and add to the egg mixture. Whisk well until the mixture is totally smooth. It will be runny. Then, cool the mixture in the refrigerator until it thickens. 3 hours. It needs to thicken before continuing the recipe.
    16 oz mascarpone cheese
    mix egg yolks with mascarpone
  • Once the egg mixture is thickened, it will be dripping from the spoon with a noticeably thicker consistency.
  • Next, prepare the coconut milk sauce for the lady fingers. Pour the coconut milk into a wide bowl or rectangular dish, add the remaining coconut condensed milk, and heat it up for one minute. Whisk so the coconut milk becomes sweetened evenly. Set aside.
    1 cup regular canned coconut milk
    coconut milk with coconut condensed milk
  • In the big bowl, add the cold heavy whipping cream. Whip with the electric whisk until semi-stiff peaks form. 8-10 minutes on high. Keep going right until the whipped cream sticks to the whisk then STOP. Do NOT overbeat (or you'll get butter) so just whisk until the peaks form, then stop.
    You want the cream to stick to the whisk, but it shouldn't be overly fluffy like Chantilly whipped cream. The texture should be just enough for cloud-like dollops, but not mountains or stiffer peaks.
    1 pint heavy whipping cream
    whipped cream
  • Take the cold egg mascarpone mixture and add it to the whipped cream. Fold gently until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
    fold mascarpone egg mixture with whipped cream
  • In your rectangular serving dish, put a thin layer of the whipped cream mixture.
    cream layer on bottom of pan
  • Take the lady fingers, dunking and coating each one at a time for just two seconds (and not longer than that or else they will be soggy), and placing them in the dish. Create a layer of the coconut-sauce-coated lady fingers.
    1 package 24-30 lady fingers
    spread lady fingers evenly
  • Take the sweetened coconut flakes and sparingly sprinkle them over the lady fingers.
    ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
    lady fingers layer and coconut flakes
  • Take the whipped cream mixture and add another layer on top of the lady fingers. Make this layer thicker and more generous. Gently and delicately spread the layer. Do not press or make it dense.
    dollops of cream layer on top of lady fingers
  • Add another layer of lady fingers that have been dunked into the coconut milk mixture. Sprinkle again, a very small amount of coconut flakes.
  • Add the next layer of whipped cream mixture and be sure it reaches the sides of the dish. If using a different pan than the one suggested in this recipe, repeat the layers as necessary.
    cream layer
  • With the remaining coconut flakes, add them to a pan over high heat and very quickly toast them. Be sure to never stop moving them with a spoon so they don't burn. Once they are golden, remove them from the heat. Sprinkle the toasted coconut flakes all over the top of the coconut tiramisu.
    finished coconut tiramisu
  • Cover with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Serve, using a wide spoon or spatula to plate. Enjoy!
    inside layers of coconut tiramisu dessert

Notes

  • Use full-fat, regular canned coconut milk. This gives the dessert a richer coconut flavor and better texture. This is NOT boxed coconut milk, which is more of a drinking type. Canned coconut milk is thicker and richer.
  • Dip ladyfingers quickly. A fast dip keeps them soft without becoming mushy. Do NOT soak them or leave them in the coconut sauce.
  • Thicken the mascarpone egg mixture by cooling in the fridge. This is essential before folding it into the whipped cream. It makes the texture velvety and not runny.
  • Chill overnight. Tiramisu always tastes better the next day once the flavors meld together and the whipped mascarpone egg mixture can set properly.
  • Fold whipped cream gently. This keeps the filling light and airy instead of dense. If you over-whip, over-mix, over-whisk, and press...the whipped layers will be too thick.
  • Use cold ingredients. Cold cream whips better and creates a fluffier filling. You have to be sure the heavy whipping cream is cold. You can even use a cold bowl to add to a faster whipping time.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Coconut Tiramisu
Amount per Serving
Calories
466
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
28
g
43
%
Saturated Fat
 
13
g
81
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Cholesterol
 
155
mg
52
%
Sodium
 
74
mg
3
%
Potassium
 
210
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
15
g
5
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
16
g
18
%
Protein
 
7
g
14
%
Vitamin A
 
1274
IU
25
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
170
mg
17
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.