I’m so lazy sometimes when it comes to making desserts. Trifles are such an awesome way to get a great tasting treat with much less work. This tiramisu trifle came together in no time at all!
You could layer this in a square baking dish if you don’t have a big bowl. I’ve done that before with trifles, still wonderful.
And the curls on this? OMG the curls. Here is my secret to making beautiful chocolate curls. Well, it’s not really a secret, it is probably how most people make them. But if you have never made them before, here is MY tutorial.
First, USE GOOD CHOCOLATE. Think about it, when you put one of those chocolate curls in your mouth, you want it to taste amazing! I like to use chocolate bars like Green & Black’s Chocolate. They melt beautifully and taste delicious. Two important points when making (and eating) chocolate curls!
So, melt your chocolate bar (I used Green and Black’s 85% Dark Chocolate). I stuck mine in a glass microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir and heat another 30 seconds. Pour your melted chocolate onto a metal baking sheet (preferably one with no sides, it makes it easier to work with). I used a metal cookie sheet. Try to shape your melted chocolate into a large square, using a knife or spatula. You can decide how thin you want it. I wanted some thicker chocolate curls. If you go too thin your curls will break.
Once you have your square of melted chocolate, stick your baking sheet in the refrigerator. I set the timer for 7 minutes, no more no less. It comes out perfect. The chocolate isn’t HARD, but it also isn’t runny. You may need to play with this time, depending on your refrigerator and the thickness of your chocolate square. If your chocolate gets too hard, put it back in your bowl, heat it, and start over!
Now that you removed your chocolate from the fridge, take a metal spatula (I use a small Pampered Chef spatula…not those silicone kind). You can also use a brand new putty knife. Yep, that would work great too. Scrape your spatula along the end of your chocolate square slowly and the curls will form! But if you take your spatula you can change the thickness of your curl and make “tubes.” So fun. AND, if you used good chocolate, SO delicious!
Just a quick note on the espresso powder. I order mine from King Arthur Flour. If you don’t have any, and can’t find it, you CAN use instant coffee…but you may need to use more of it because it’s not nearly as strong as espresso powder. Keep that in mind as you bake. And don’t be afraid that you’ll never use that espresso powder again…just come back here to my blog, I have plenty more recipes that use the powder:
More Recipes with Espresso Powder:
No Bake Cookies with Double Espresso: perfect for breakfast to get you going for the day!
Chocolate Mocha and Nutella Cookies: Nutella and Jif cappuccino hazelnut spread combined with espresso powder make delicious cookies!
Mocha Cupcakes: rich chocolate cupcakes with a chocolate mocha frosting!
Boozy Brownies: Bailey’s and Espresso meet to create these rich, fudgy brownies! Perfect for St.Patty’s day!
Want more Trifles? Try one of these favorites…
Jell-O Cheesecake Trifle: use gelatin poke cake (any color choices) and fresh berries to add to the cheesecake layers
Tiramisu Cheesecake Trifle
Delightful and flavorful Tiramisu Cheesecake Trifle recipe with homemade chocolate curls!
Ingredients
- 30 whole ladyfingers (Italian cookies)
- 2 pkg (8oz each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup espresso powder
- 1 bar (3.5oz) 85% dark chocolate (I used Green & Blacks)
- 8oz Cool Whip whipped topping
Instructions
- Begin by making chocolate curls. (Follow instructions in this video [HERE|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeemBInz0D8]).
- In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with condensed milk until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Set aside.
- Lay 10 ladyfingers along bottom of large trifle bowl. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of espresso powder. Top with 1/3 of cream cheese mixture. Repeat two more times. Top final layer with chocolate curls and remaining espresso powder. Refrigerate until ready to serve. ENJOY!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 255Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 61mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 4g
Where is the recipe for the tiramisu?
Hi, this recipe looks so nice I’d love to try and make it but do you know the whip topping is that just whipped cream? If not could I use whipped cream instead? Thanks, Sam 🙂
Ditto Betty’s question and comment above. Can I use real whipped cream instead? Has anyone tried it? Did you try it, Betty?
You can try it, but you may need to stabilize it using gelatin!
Thanks so much! I had no idea about the gelatin. Did some quick research and found this: yelenasweets.com/…/substitu…
Thank you for sharing your recipes and expertise!
Would there be any problem in substituting whipped cream instead of Cool Whip? Not a fan of Cool Whip.
For the lady fingers, are they the soft lady fingers that are baked and slightly spongy? Or the firm more cracker like ones?
I was going to make this tomorrow. Did you have to soften your lady fingers? In the package I bought the fingers are rock hard.
Mine were very soft already. You could do the traditional route and dip them in some strong brewed coffee. Just a quick dunk! ENJOY!
OMG! I could inhale that whole bowl. 🙂 And I love chocolate curls… 😉
OMG! I absolutely love tiramisu!! And whenever I make it I put chocolate in between my layers- your chocolate curls are beautiful! Will definitely have to give this one ago!! Beautiful!
Thanks Elizabeth! I hope you give it a try. And the curls, I’m still dreaming about those delicious dark chocolate curls 🙂
I love this! And I totally agree with you on the ease of trifles, yet you don’t sacrifice great taste. And those chocolate curls! OMG! I want to run home and make them RIGHT NOW!
Tiramisu is one of my favorite sweet treats, I was just talking with my niece earlier about it complaining I remember buying some lady fingers last week but they are no where to be found and I crave Tiramisu like a pregnant woman. Now, after seeing yours I want some so bad!!!! Love those chocolate curls, what a great decorating idea
Oh goodness. I absolutely love cheesecake. And tiramisu. And I kinda know what I am making soon!
It’s a like a beautiful marriage in a bowl!
This is totally right up my alley… my husbands birthday is coming up and I think I need to make this for him!
OK so I sort of lost track because I just saw the words “Boozy Brownies” BUT this trifle. Dude. I wish I had lots of people who would eat this with me, because I know if I make it and no one does I will eat the whole freaking bowl. 😉
haha, this cracked me up. Those boozy brownies get ya every time!!
This is gorgeous Aimee! I love the dark chocolate and espresso powder!
Thanks Jess!!!
The chocolate on top is calling me! What a gorgeous trifle!!
Thanks Jennifer! It seems to call alot of people!
This is stunning! I too think the curls are almost too pretty to eat! I’d dig in anyway, because Tiramisu is one of my favorites!
Oh my goodness, girl. This looks sinfully delicious!
Thanks Kristen, it is quite delicious, and when you eat too much of it, definitely sinful!!
These curls look really amazing! I would probably be making more than I need because I like tasting things while making them 😀
I may or may not have eaten several broken curls! But, I was surprised that one chocolate bar created so many curls!!
I love this “And don’t be afraid that you’ll never use that espresso powder again…just come back here to my blog,” = so true and well spoken! I have the same issue happening with people not wanting to buy bread flour and want to do everything with all purpose. Not quite the same.
I love this and those long, ribbony strands of chocolate!
Oh and don’t forget cake flour!! It’s hard though to convince people that there really is a difference! I know because years ago I was that person 🙂
Yum! Pinning this, it sounds incredible!
Thank you Chloe! I hope you get a chance to try it too!
This is super stunning Aimee! I love me a trifle, especially with espresso powder!
I love espresso powder! And combine it with the dark chocolate? YUM.
Beautiful chocolate curls! I love the idea of a tiramisu trifle! I must try this!
Thank you Eva! Everything is better in a big trifle bowl!
I’ve been meaning to make tiramisu lately and this gives me some inspiration to do so! Love the chocolate curls too – perfect touch to an already delicious dessert! 🙂
Ooooh you should totally make tiramisu! And then invite me over 🙂
This lovely looks awesome Aimee! Is this glass bowl from Pampered Chef as well? It looks just like the one we got for our wedding 🙂
Tiramisu is one of my absolute favorite desserts! And those chocolate curls? Oh my word!!! I seriously want to pick off every single one one by one!!!
I know the feeling! The curls are amazing, plus they are covered in espresso powder, talk about a nice JOLT!
Wow, this trifle looks incredible, Aimee! As do those chocolate curls which *almost* look too pretty to eat 😉 can you believe I’ve never had tiramisu? I would love to dive into this bad boy!
Oh Hayley, you are an adult now, you NEED tiramisu in your life. But first you have to try to make it past the chocolate curls. I dare ya!