Gluten‑Free Tiramisu – Easy, No-Bake Italian Dessert

60 Reviews
Published Mar 24, 2015 ∙ Kristina Stosek

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This Gluten‑Free Tiramisu is the very best you’ll ever make, rich, creamy, and full of coffee-soaked goodness. It’s delicate yet indulgent, perfectly balanced between sweet mascarpone layers and light gluten-free ladyfingers. Best of all, it’s no-bake and easy to assemble, making it ideal for holidays, special occasions, or just treating yourself to a classic Italian dessert at home without gluten.Slice of creamy gluten-free tiramisu with coffee-soaked ladyfingers and cocoa dusting

Why You’ll Love This Gluten‑Free Tiramisu

  • Authentic flavor: Coffee, cocoa, and mascarpone create the classic tiramisu taste.
  • Delicate texture: Gluten-free ladyfingers soak just enough espresso without falling apart.
  • Easy and no-bake: Perfect for beginner bakers or anyone short on time.
  • Make-ahead friendly: Assemble ahead to save stress on the day you want to serve it.
  • Short on time: Use store-bought gluten-free ladyfingers.  A convenient alternative that will give you delicious results.

Love Italian cuisine? Discover our easy gluten-free Italian recipes to inspire your next meal!

Tips for the Best Gluten‑Free Tiramisu

  • Use freshly brewed chilled espresso for the richest flavor.
  • Quick dips or a light drizzle are enough, don’t oversoak your ladyfingers.
  • Bring mascarpone to room temperature before mixing for smooth, creamy layers.
  • Chill for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, for the flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Dust the top with unsweetened cocoa or chocolate shavings right before serving.
  • Use Kahlua or rum (according to the manufacturer, Kahlua and pure rum are gluten free)

showing layers of tiramisu with lady fingers and cream layers in a dish

Gluten‑Free Tiramisu Substitutions

  • Ladyfingers: Use store-bought gluten-free ladyfingers or homemade.
  • Non-alcoholic version: Replace coffee liqueur with extra espresso or coffee syrup.
  • Dairy-free version: Substitute mascarpone and whipped cream with plant-based alternatives. There are several brands of dairy-free mascarpone available, and you can use coconut-based or almond-based whipped creams for a creamy texture.
  • Egg-free version: Use whipped coconut cream or aquafaba-based cream for a safe swap. The texture and flavor will change being less creamy, and not as flavorful, but still delicious.

close up of creamy gluten free tiramisu slice dusted with cocoa powder on a dessert plate

Make Ahead

This tiramisu is perfect for prepping in advance. Assemble the dessert a day before serving and let it chill overnight so the layers set and the flavors develop fully. This makes entertaining effortless while still serving a creamy gluten-free Italian dessert.

More Gluten-Free Tiramisu Desserts

Gluten Free Strawberry Tiramisu

Gluten Free Irish Cream Tiramisu Cake

Gluten Free Tiramisu Swiss Roll

Gluten Free Baked Tiramisu Cheesecake

Grain-Free Tiramisu Cupcakes

slice of gluten free tiramisu on a plate

Storing for Freshness

  • Store covered in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
  • Avoid freezing once assembled, but unbaked ladyfingers can be frozen for later use.
  • Thaw frozen ladyfingers completely before assembling for best results. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make tiramisu without ladyfingers? Yes, use gluten-free sponge cake or cookies soaked in espresso as a delicious alternative.

How do I ensure the mascarpone cream is smooth and not grainy?
Make sure your mascarpone is fresh and at room temperature. Gently fold ingredients together rather than vigorously mixing to keep the texture creamy and smooth.

Tried this recipe?

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Many thanks!

Kristina x

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Comments

  1. Charlie. B

    Absolutely amazing dessert!!

  2. Kristina

    thank you for sharing :-)

  3. Nancy

    I made this tiramisu desert over the holidays. My entire family said it was the best tiramisu they ever tasted, and we are Italian. I also made the lady fingers from scratch. Thank you

  4. Kristina

    fantastic, glad your family enjoyed it!

  5. Jane

    This recipe was a lot easier than I thought it would be, the tiramisu was amazing. Thank you

  6. Kristina

    yes tiramisu may sound complicated, but it is probably one of the easier dessert recipes. Thank you

  7. Andrea

    thank you so much for this recipe! This recipe was so easy to make and the tiramisu is so delicious!

  8. Kristina

    I am so happy to hear that, thank you

  9. Maria. G

    I tried to buy the gluten-free ladyfingers but they sold out, so I made them following your recipe. They were perfect and so easy to make, thank you.

  10. Kristina

    yes, they are not that difficult to make and they taste better, thank you for letting me know

  11. Rita

    very good recipe, my family loved the tiramisu

  12. Kristina

    so nice to hear, thank you!

  13. Betty. S

    I'm making this right now. About to put the cake in the fridge to cool overnight, then I'll put the whipped topping on tomorrow. Hope it turns out as good as it looks!

  14. Corinne

    Excellent recipe with consistent results. Tastes amazing and the lady fingers are so nice homemade fresh.

  15. Kristina

    thank you, I am so happy you enjoyed this amazing dessert!

  16. Anne Santora

    Ladyfingers were a bit dry without enough coffee flavor. Definitely recommend quickly dipping the ladyfingers in the coffee rather than just brushing them with the coffee. Otherwise, this was a very good recipe.

  17. Kristina

    thank you Anne for sharing

  18. Anthony Berk

    I whipped the egg whites till they peaked, Im not sure If I need to do longer, but when I made the lady fingers. The liquid leveled off and they came out very thin. Im sure when I make it tommorow it will tase fine, but why did that happen?

  19. Tracie Thorp

    I really enjoyed this recipe and so did my family. I made two- one gluten free and one regular- both were excellent. The only thing I wish was a little better is the cream was a little thicker (probably my own fault). I found that once cooled and served the filling did “travel” and I would have preferred that it held its shape. Other than that, taste and presentation were outstanding!

  20. Kristina

    thank you Tracie for sharing, did you whip the cream well?

  21. Kristina

    I am not sure why Anthony, were the egg whites at room temperature? Either way it will taste good, they don’t have to be perfect

  22. Kate

    The ladyfinger recipe mentions cornstarch (sifted with the flours) but doesn't have this in the ingredient list, so ....? How did others make this recipe? Did you just ignore the cornstarch since it doesn't state how much to use??

  23. Kristina

    Hi Kate, good catch. No there isn’t cornstarch, but it can be used to replace the tapioca or arrowroot starch. Sorry about the confusion

  24. Serena Kutlich

    amazing tiramisu and gluten free WOW, you are the best!!!

  25. Kristina

    thank you Serena xx

  26. Barbara

    I’m wondering if this can be frozen. And do the lady fingers make the amount needed for the tiramisu recipe?

  27. Kristina

    Barbara, I would not freeze tiramisu, although it probably can be frozen. I just never had any leftovers to freeze. The recipe for the lady fingers should be the right amount for this tiramisu recipe.

  28. Mia

    Can the lady fingers be made in advance and frozen? Thank you

  29. Kristina

    Mia, if you layer them between parchment paper and place them in an airtight container they can be frozen for up to 2 months

  30. Mary Ann

    Made this Tiramisu for Christmas Desert and it was absolutely amazing! Everyone loved it. Thank you for an easy fantastic, gluten free desert.

  31. Kristina

    I am so happy to hear than Mary Ann, thank you.

  32. Ashley R.

    Excellent tiramisu, light and perfectly flavored.