Relive Delightful Memories And Rediscover Decadence With Tiramisu Coffee

Each year as the holidays approach, many memories come alive through our senses.

For me, when I smell the crisp, subtly sweet, refreshing scent of evergreen, most notably pine and spruce, a smile emerges as my memories transport me to holidays’ past, gathered with those I love most.

Or, when I see the warm glow of candlelight in the windows of houses I drive past in the evening hours, I’m reminded of the moments I spent as a child with my dad and grandpa, driving through neighborhoods listening to familiar holiday classics on the radio as we annually took in the festive sights of the season.

Then, when I bring a spoon filled with a luxurious bite of smooth, delicate tiramisu to my lips, as the subtle sweetness and rich, velvety creaminess of the dessert graces my taste buds, I’m warmly reminded of the first dessert I shared with my spouse, then preceding our engagement two days before the Christmas holiday.

Personally, I tend to recall most of the special moments I’ve been blessed to experience in my life through my senses.

But, what about you?

What comes to your mind and memory when you breathe in, for instance, the bold aroma of a freshly brewed pot of coffee?

And, when this same scent is mingled with warm spices or sweet chocolate, velvety vanilla, and smooth, rich cream, where do such flavor additions transport your heart and mind?

What about the delicate and fanciful flavors of a timeless classic like tiramisu? Can you recall your first taste of this treat?

Growing up I always viewed this dessert as one restricted for adult sampling. Maybe this was due to the coffee component or the fact that some choose to make this classic with a touch of liquor, but either way, upon trying it for the first time as an adult, it truly felt special, even extraordinary.

No matter our experience or preconceived notions surrounding this decadent delight, there’s no denying that this seemingly extravagant dessert can not only elevate shared holiday moments with loved ones, but it serves to ignite warm memories for many as well.

So today, we’d like to explore the history, traditions, taste, and nostalgia surrounding this holiday favorite…tiramisu.

Where did this decadent treat originate? Why does this dessert, in particular, seem to evoke such warm, inviting experiences and (later) memories?

And of course, what are some incredibly tasty ways you can enjoy this favorite within, or alongside, a cup of rich, smooth, and bold coffee?

Tiramisu - Nostalgia, History, & Mystery

We often think of tiramisu simply as an Italian dessert, but it turns out there’s more to it than that.

As is common with incredible recipes, there’s not only a full history to their making, but even a little intrigue and mystery involved as well.

And, in the case of tiramisu, there’s definitely some mystery in its making…or at least in its official origin.

For the most part, tiramisu recipes weren’t found in cookbooks until the late 1900’s, as late as the 1980’s on most accounts.

This is quite mysterious as the dessert has been around as many as a few hundred years prior to this. So, what would make folks seek to bury such decadence?

Well, there seem to be roughly three stories tied to the origin of this dessert, and at least one of these legends is quite risque in nature, prompting many to believe this is what led to the secrecy of the treat for many years.

In one such account, which Venetians often declare to be utterly false, the dessert was said to be invented to honor a Duke.

In this account, wrought from a desire to please Medici rulers in Florence, a decadent recipe was sought after, one which included simple, convenient ingredients, was easy to prepare, but presented (and tasted) elegantly.

Thus, tiramisu was born. Or was it…

For those who claim this story to be untrue, could this rendition simply be a cover up of an origin less noble in nature?

In the tale of the dessert prepared for a duke, it was said that the original name of tiramisu was quite unappealing, one which loosely translated to “duke soup.”

Tiramisu, on the other hand, translates roughly to “pick me up.” And innocently speaking, this translation could refer to the caffeine in the dessert, provided by the coffee component.

A risque rendering of tiramisu’s origins, however, declares this title to be linked to Treviso, a province in Italy known for its brothels.

Aside from the “pick-me-up” nature of caffeine, this component of tiramisu is also said to be an aphrodisiac. And, in this particular legend linked to the European classic, its creation is attributed to its ability to bring greater profits at the brothel, being served to men as an energizing dessert.

Another close rendering of this same tale instead insists that a woman, after visiting a brothel with her husband-to-be, came up with the idea for this dessert as a tasty way to fuel her sleepless nights with a newborn.

Could either of these tell the real history of a dessert steeped in such warm nostalgia today?

Or, could the actual truth of tiramisu’s origins have simpler, even nobler beginnings?

One last legend surrounding this now-sophisticated holiday favorite states that its creation was to merely, kindly, lift the spirits of Count Camillo Paolo Filippo Guilo Benso.

Here, as the Count sought to unify Italy in the mid 1800’s his spirits were said to be “severely tested.” So, as a means and source of encouragement, these simple and common Italian ingredients were brought together to compose a delightfully elegant, confectionery offering to the Count.

These roots, the latter in this historical and mysterial list, seem most fitting for the dessert we know today as these intentions are fitting for the occasions on which we often enjoy this treat.

How many times, when gathering with loved ones for the holidays or even simply throughout “ordinary times” do we gather amidst the stresses of life?

And, when gathering, how often do those stresses seem to melt away in such company, like the Count, our spirits lifted as we enjoy moments with loved ones surrounded by elegant dinner, drink, and dessert offerings.


Enjoying a sophisticated, indulgent dessert, like tiramisu, during these times not only serves to help solidify these happy memories, it’s also a medium through which I’m able to recall these nostalgic moments at later dates when I enjoy a sinful spoonful yet again.

And, that’s what I believe each of the following recipes evoke as well.

When you incorporate the warmth, fondness, and memory stirring nature of coffee with the nostalgic flavors of tiramisu, you create a truly unparalleled cup.

So, as you make one or all of these delicious tiramisu coffee recipes, may your taste buds be tantalized and your heart be warmed thinking of all of the spirit lifting memories such flavors bring to your mind throughout the holiday season and beyond!

Tiramisu For Coffee And Coffee For Tiramisu - 4 Ways To Enjoy This Holiday Favorite

1- Timeless Tiramisu Latte

Incredibly delicious, but not overly sweet, one sip of this tiramisu latte will beckon to your mind the nostalgic thoughts of the first time this classic dessert touched your tastebuds.

Our Tiramisu coffee is aromatically sweet, bold, and smooth, possessing subtle notes of the classic and rich chocolatey dessert flavors combined with velvety vanilla and a subtly creamy mouthfeel.

But, when you add a few of the traditional tiramisu ingredients to this brew, it transforms your mug contents allowing you to savor the delicate, fanciful flavors of this timeless treat in a more profound - and delicious - way.

For tiramisu lovers, trust me when I say you’ll be coming back to this one again and again this holiday season!

Ingredients

• 4 ounces strongly brewed Lifeboost Tiramisu Coffee
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 8 ounces milk
• 1 teaspoon raw sugar
• ½ teaspoon real vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon mascarpone cheese
• 2 tablespoons chilled heavy whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
• Cocoa powder, for garnish

Instructions

• Add mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, and powdered sugar to a small glass or jar and stir together until fully combined. Next, use a hand frother to froth the mixture until soft peaks form. Set aside.
• Brew coffee, pour into your favorite mug, and set aside.
• Add milk, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and vanilla to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until warmed through.
• Using a hand frother, froth the heated milk mixture until a desired amount of foam is created, then add this to the prepared coffee in your mug. Stir slightly to combine.
• Top the coffee mixture with the prepared mascarpone cream, then dust with cocoa powder. Enjoy!

2- Creamy Tiramisu Cold Brew

Cold foam is wildly popular in many coffeehouses and cafes, with this trend even spilling over into kitchens everywhere as coffee connoisseurs whip up (pun intended) creamy, cold, and foamy concoctions to bring aesthetic flare and fabulous flavor to any ordinary cup of joe.

Personally, I love to use a cold foam topping (or hot foam for a piping hot cup of java) to infuse any flavor or added sweetness to my coffee instead of incorporating those ingredients directly into my brew. By doing this, all of the deep, rich, and bold coffee flavors remain, and as I sip, those tastes are simply filtered through a velvety layer of creamy foam to subtly add a variety of palate pleasing additions.

So, take it from this cold foam addict, when I say this foam topper is phenomenal, I mean business.

Using our Tiramisu flavored coffee as a base, sipping this selection through a velvety, sweet foam feels like I’m savoring a bite of delicate, authentic tiramisu with each and every sip!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Tiramisu Coffee
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon mascarpone cheese
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon real vanilla extract
• Cocoa powder, for garnish
• ice

Instructions

• Add ice to a tall glass; pour in cold brew over ice.
• Add mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to a glass and stir well to combine. Pour combined mixture into an electric frother. Froth on the cold setting.
• Top iced cold brew with mascarpone cold foam. Dust with cocoa powder, and enjoy!

3- Top Notch Tiramisu Martini

When I saw a delicately layered tiramisu at a holiday dinner as a child, I was filled with curiosity as the children at the event were rarely allowed to partake in this seemingly sinful dessert.

Back in the early 1980’s many parents believed coffee would “stunt your growth” so those desserts containing this ingredient were labeled “adults only.”

And, in the case of tiramisu, you never knew when a bite of this decadence could contain alcohol as well. So, as you can imagine, after all those childhood years of waiting, there was something extra special about trying my first bite of tiramisu…and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

In this cocktail, definitely an adults-only indulgence, all of those long awaited flavors collide in one incredible, sophisticated cocktail, perfect for elegant evenings, fanciful holiday parties, or simply savoring with your favorite someone.

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 2 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Tiramisu Coffee
• 2 ounces Kahlua
• 2 ounces brandy (or rum)
• 1 ounce chocolate liqueur
• 1 ounce vanilla vodka
• 4 ounces heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons chocolate syrup, for garnish
• 2 ladyfinger cookies, for garnish
• 1 teaspoon grated chocolate, for garnish
• ice

Instructions

• Drizzle the inside of two martini glasses with chocolate syrup.
• Add ice, cold brew, kahlua, brandy, chocolate liqueur, vanilla vodka, and heavy cream to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously to fully incorporate the heavy cream, coffee, and liqueurs. I like shaking until the outside of the cocktail shaker begins to frost.
• Divide between the two martini glasses, and garnish with grated chocolate and one ladyfinger cookie (each). Enjoy!

4- Next Level Tiramisu

If you love tiramisu, you likely already have a preferred recipe you enjoy putting together for those special occasions when you fondly gather with friends and family.

So, if you are a tiramisu-making pro, you can view this as a simple tip to take your favorite recipe to the next level… When making your preferred tiramisu recipe, swap the espresso or strong coffee component for our Lifeboost Tiramisu Coffee to enhance those typical flavors as this selection highlights the best tastes of this treat!

However, if you don’t have a tried and true favorite tiramisu recipe in your kitchen arsenal, give this one a try where we’ve listed all of the ingredients and instructions for you.

As mentioned above, you’ll be utilizing one of our holiday favorites, Lifeboost Tiramisu Coffee, combining its infused notes of sweet, rich chocolate, velvety vanilla, and a subtle creaminess with classically smooth mascarpone cheese, egg yolks, sugar, and heavy cream, then lady fingers, a touch of alcohol (optional), and bittersweet chocolate for an elevated dessert that’s sure to please your holiday guests all season long.

Ingredients

• 4 large egg yolks
• ½ cup sugar
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 ¾ cup very strongly brewed Lifeboost Tiramisu Coffee (see tips below)
• 2 tablespoons rum (optional)
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• Approximately 24 lady fingers
• Shaved bittersweet chocolate (about 1-2 ounces) for topping

Instructions

• Using an electric mixer, in a large bowl prepare the cream by whipping together egg yolks and ¼ cup of sugar until very pale and triple in volume. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine heavy cream and remaining ¼ cup of sugar. Whip until soft peaks form, then add in mascarpone cheese and continue to whip until the mixture appears spreadable, with medium-stiff peaks forming.
• Fold the mascarpone mixture into the sweetened egg yolk mixture until combined.
• Combine coffee and rum in a shallow bowl, and set aside (you’ll be using this to dip the lady fingers as you assemble the tiramisu). *You can easily omit the rum here, if desired.
• Dust the bottom of a 2 quart baking dish with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder.
• One at a time, very quickly dip a lady finger into the coffee-rum mixture, then place it rounded side up into the baking dish. Repeat this process using roughly half of the lady fingers to cover the bottom of the baking dish.
• Once you have an even layer, spread half of the mascarpone cream mixture on top of the lady fingers.
• Repeat step #6 to assemble another layer of dipped lady fingers on top of the mascarpone cream.
• Then, spread the remaining mascarpone cream on top of the newly added layer of lady fingers.
• Dust the top layer of cream with the remaining tablespoon of cocoa powder.
• Cover with plastic wrap and allow the dessert to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (overnight or 24 hours is best).
• Prior to serving, top with shaved bittersweet chocolate, if desired, and enjoy!

*One tip for brewing strong coffee is to prepare a desired amount of java, then make your next brew at double strength by preparing this coffee using the already made brew, instead of water. This is best done using the pour over method.

If you are not utilizing the pour over method, you can simply double the amount of coffee grounds you’re using to make your brew. Just be sure not to increase the water portion of that ratio.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Tiramisu Coffee.

References:

https://www.accademiadeltiramisu.com/en/the-origin-of-tiramisu-fact-and-legend/

https://www.osteriaviastato.com/the-mystery-and-history-of-tiramisu/

https://italiangardensmtx.com/tiramisu-whats-came/

https://www.artviva.com/tiramisu-what-history-and-grammar-have-to-do-with-italys-best-loved-desserts/

https://baranbakery.com/tiramisu-latte/#mv-creation-338-jtr

https://lorcoffee.com/blogs/inspiration/tiramisu-iced-coffee

https://feastandwest.com/2022/10/27/tiramisu-martini/

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018684-classic-tiramisu

https://www.absopure.com/blog/4-tips-brewing-perfect-cup-iced-coffee-summer/