Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe
If you love the cozy flavors of fall but want something with the fun, creamy layers of a classic Italian dessert, then you’re going to adore this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe. It’s the perfect twist on tiramisu, swapping out the traditional mascarpone and espresso for cream cheese blended with pumpkin puree and a splash of coffee’s boldness. Trust me, it’s one of those recipes that makes your kitchen smell irresistible and tastes even better when served chilled after a long day.
What really makes this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe special is how effortlessly it combines seasonal spice with that dreamy tiramisu texture we all love — soft ladyfingers soaked in coffee, layered with luscious pumpkin cream, and topped with cloud-like whipped cream. It works wonderfully for holiday dinners, fall parties, or just whenever you want a dessert that feels both fancy and homey. You’ll find yourself reaching for seconds, I promise!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Flavors: Pumpkin spice and coffee complement each other perfectly, creating a harmonious blend that’s not overpowering.
- Creamy Texture: The duo of cream cheese and whipped cream makes for a silky, smooth filling that melts in your mouth.
- Easy Assembly: No baking required—just layering and chilling, which means less fuss and more fun in the kitchen.
- Make Ahead Friendly: It needs several hours or overnight in the fridge, perfect for prepping in advance for guests or gatherings.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe plays a key role in delivering flavor, texture, or that classic tiramisu feel. When shopping, pick fresh heavy cream for best results and quality pumpkin puree—not pie filling—to control the sweetness.
- Coffee: Brew it strong and hot—this is the flavor foundation for soaking the ladyfingers, so no watery brews here!
- Cream Cheese: Provides tangy richness that pairs beautifully with pumpkin and helps stabilize the filling.
- Pumpkin Puree: Use pure pumpkin, not pie filling, for authentic flavor and the ability to control sweetness and spice.
- Powdered Sugar: Dissolves easily into the creams, giving smooth sweetness without graininess.
- Pumpkin Spice: Classic blend that adds warmth; fresh is best if you can find it, but store-bought is fine here.
- Heavy Cream: Whipped to soft peaks, it gives the dessert its delicate, airy lift.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors and adds depth to the whipped cream layer.
- Gelatin: Helps the whipped cream hold its shape and keeps the tiramisu from becoming runny.
- Salt: A pinch enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors, balancing the sweetness.
- Ladyfingers: The classic tiramisu base—make sure to soak them just right in the coffee to avoid sogginess or dryness.
- Chocolate Shavings & Pumpkin Spice: The finishing touch for a pretty presentation and an extra flavor boost.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts of this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe is how adaptable it is. I often adjust the pumpkin spice blend depending on my mood or swap out toppings to suit the season. Feel free to make it your own!
- Variation: For a boozy kick, try adding a splash of coffee liqueur or bourbon to your brewed coffee before dipping the ladyfingers—I’ve done this for holiday gatherings and it’s always a hit.
- Dairy-Free: You can substitute the cream cheese and heavy cream with coconut-based alternatives; just make sure to whip the cream substitute well for good texture.
- Extra Spice: If you love tons of warm spice, sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on each layer as you assemble—it adds a lovely aroma and depth.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe
Step 1: Make the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Mixture
Start by whisking together cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin puree until silky smooth. I use my hand mixer to avoid lumps and ensure a perfectly blended filling. Set this aside so you can move on to making the whipped cream layer without delay.
Step 2: Whip the Cream and Prepare Gelatin
In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until it starts thickening but hasn’t formed peaks yet. While you’re doing this, sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let it bloom for a minute before microwaving for 10 seconds. Stir until fully dissolved, then slowly fold this into your cream as you continue whisking until you get soft peaks that hold their shape.
Step 3: Dip Ladyfingers and Layer
Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the strong brewed coffee—make sure not to soak them too long or they’ll get soggy. Arrange them evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan to create a solid base. Then spread half of your pumpkin cream cheese mixture over the ladyfingers, followed by half the whipped cream. Repeat these layers one more time so your tiramisu ends with a fluffy cream cap.
Step 4: Chill and Garnish
Cover your pan tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight to let the flavors marry and the texture set nicely. Before serving, sprinkle a dusting of pumpkin spice and a generous amount of chocolate shavings on top to make it look as good as it tastes. Now, cut into squares and enjoy!
Tips from My Kitchen
- Brew Your Coffee Strong: The coffee flavor is key, so don’t skimp — I double brew mine sometimes for extra punch.
- Don’t Over-Soak Ladyfingers: A quick dip is enough; otherwise, they’ll fall apart and turn your tiramisu mushy.
- Whip with Gelatin for Stability: Adding gelatin keeps the whipped cream firm even after chilling, which makes cutting and serving neater.
- Chill Overnight If Possible: The overnight rest really deepens the flavors and helps everything set perfectly.
How to Serve Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with a generous dusting of pumpkin spice powder and chocolate shavings. Sometimes I add a few toasted pecans or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra crunch and warmth. These garnishes not only look beautiful but also invite your guests to dig into those cozy fall flavors.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs wonderfully with a cup of spiced chai tea or a hot brewed coffee to echo the flavors inside. For holiday meals, I’ve served it after a rich butternut squash soup or alongside spiced nuts to round out the autumnal theme.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I love serving individual portions in clear glass cups or mason jars—it lets the beautiful layered effect shine through and makes plating easier. Another fun idea is to top each serving with a cinnamon stick or a sprig of fresh rosemary to add a fresh aroma and a festive touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days when covered tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight lid. I find that keeping it chilled prevents the ladyfingers from getting soggy and maintains the fresh creamy texture.
Freezing
While I haven’t tried freezing this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe extensively, you can freeze it in airtight containers for about 1 month. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before serving. Expect some slight texture changes as the whipped cream may be a bit less fluffy after freezing.
Reheating
This dessert is best served chilled, so I don’t recommend reheating. However, if the tiramisu has been out too long, simply pop it in the fridge for an hour or so to refresh the cool creaminess before enjoying.
FAQs
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Can I use mascarpone instead of cream cheese in this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe?
Yes, mascarpone can be used if you prefer a richer, creamier texture close to traditional tiramisu. However, cream cheese adds a nice tang that balances the pumpkin’s sweetness, so the flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
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How long should I soak the ladyfingers in coffee?
Dip each ladyfinger quickly, about 1-2 seconds per side, to avoid sogginess. They should be soaked enough to absorb flavor but still hold their shape when layered.
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Can I make this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, chilling it overnight enhances the flavors and texture, making it even better the next day. Just keep it well covered in the fridge.
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What if I don’t have pumpkin spice on hand?
You can create your own blend by mixing cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Use about 1 teaspoon total to replace the pumpkin spice, and adjust to your preferred warmth.
Final Thoughts
I love this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe because it brings together the best of both fall and Italian dessert traditions into one elegant yet approachable dish. It’s not only a showstopper for guests but also a comforting treat for quiet nights at home. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and see how easily you can bring that perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and coffee to your table—it honestly feels like a little slice of autumn heaven with every spoonful!
PrintSpiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
A festive and creamy Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu featuring layers of pumpkin-spiced cream cheese, whipped cream, and coffee-soaked ladyfingers, perfect for autumn gatherings and dessert lovers.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Pumpkin Mixture
- 1 lb. cream cheese
- 15 oz. pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
Whipped Cream Mixture
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon powdered gelatin (Knox)
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Assembly
- 3 cups strongly brewed coffee
- 2 packages 14 oz. ladyfingers (40 pieces)
- Chocolate shavings, for garnish
- Pumpkin spice, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Pumpkin Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin puree using a hand mixer until well combined. Set aside.
- Whip the Cream: Using the hand mixer, whisk the heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Dissolve Gelatin: Mix powdered gelatin with cold water, then microwave for 10 seconds. Stir until the gelatin crystals dissolve completely.
- Incorporate Gelatin into Whipped Cream: Add the dissolved gelatin to the thickening whipped cream and continue whisking until soft peaks form and the cream holds its shape.
- Soak Ladyfingers: Quickly dip the ladyfingers into the brewed coffee, fully submerging them, then evenly line the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan.
- Layer Mixtures: Spread half of the pumpkin cream cheese mixture over the soaked ladyfingers using a small offset spatula, then top with half the whipped cream mixture.
- Repeat Layers: Add another layer of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, followed by the remaining pumpkin cream cheese and whipped cream mixtures.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled tiramisu for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow flavors to meld and set properly.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish with pumpkin spice and chocolate shavings. Cut into portions and enjoy.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream cheese and heavy cream for the best texture and flavor.
- Quickly dip ladyfingers to avoid sogginess; they should be saturated but not falling apart.
- The gelatin helps stabilize the whipped cream so the tiramisu holds its shape better.
- For a stronger coffee flavor, use espresso or strong brewed coffee mixed with a splash of rum if desired.
- Allowing the tiramisu to chill overnight enhances the melding of flavors.
- Chocolate shavings can be substituted with cocoa powder dusting if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg