This classic Italian dessert is creamy and pillowy soft. And that’s what helps make it so inviting. But what if you need to store it long-term? Can you freeze tiramisu without ruining its delicate texture?
I first had tiramisu while on a date with my college sweetheart (now wife) at a quaint little Italian restaurant in Boston many years ago. I’d never heard of it before and it kind of blew me away.
Since then, we’ve made this delicious dessert several times at home, and sometimes we make a little too much! Which begs the question, can tiramisu be frozen?
The good news is that you absolutely can freeze tiramisu! And you can do it without affecting its unique texture.
Keep reading to learn how to freeze tiramisu the right way so you can make it ahead of time — or enjoy those leftovers — worry-free.
Jump to:
What is tiramisu?
Before we jump into how to freeze it, here’s a quick look at what’s in this craveable dish.
The word “tiramisu” means “pick-me-up.” And popular dessert certainly delivers!
Tiramisu is made by first quickly dipping soft biscuits called ladyfingers into strong coffee. The ladyfingers soak up the liquid and seal in the coffee flavor.
Then they’re surrounded by layers of whipped cream, and traditionally a creamy mascarpone cheese filling which has been enriched with egg yolks. Finally, it’s topped with cocoa powder.
The result is a creamy, pillowy, sweet and slightly coffee-flavored dessert that melts in your mouth.
Typically, it’s made in a large layer which can then be cut into individual slices. Traditional tiramisu also includes alcohol such as Marsala wine to add a bit more depth of flavor, but you can leave it out. You’ll still have a dessert you’ll go back to again and again.
How to freeze tiramisu
Given its delicate ingredients, you might shy away from freezing tiramisu. But you really can keep it long-term in the freezer without harming the texture. Here’s how:
Step 1 – If you’re making homemade tiramisu, leave off the cocoa powder topping as it can seep into the cream and create an unpleasant texture when thawed (see photo below).
If you’re saving leftover tiramisu from the store or a restaurant that already has the cocoa powder, try to remove as much as you can if possible.
Step 2 – If it’s at room temperature, cool it in the fridge for about 15 minutes. This will make wrapping it in the next step easier.
Step 3 – Wrap the tiramisu tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap or cling film, being careful not to crush or smush it. This step is key to helping retain the flavor and texture and prevent liquids from seeping out.
Step 4 – Cover it in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer bag, then store it on a flat shelf in the freezer. Again, you don’t want any liquids to run out, and a level surface will help with that.
Step 5 – Label it with the date you froze it.
If frozen properly, tiramisu will keep for up to 3 months.
💡 Tip: If you’re freezing a large amount of tiramisu, cut it into individual pieces. It will be easier to wrap, and that way you only need to thaw out the portions you’re going to eat instead of a whole tiramisu sheet.
How to thaw out tiramisu
Once you’re ready to dig into a slice of tiramisu you’ve been keeping in the freezer, the best way to defrost it is in the refrigerator.
It will take a few hours, so you can either let frozen tiramisu thaw out overnight, or you can transfer it to the fridge in the morning if you plan on having some for dessert that night.
You’ll want to keep the plastic wrap in place while it’s defrosting to prevent any liquids from spilling out.
Once the thawing process is complete, the lady fingers will regain most of their soft texture. And the mascarpone and whipped cream should be light and fluffy.
All that’s left is to simply remove it from the fridge and enjoy your delicious tiramisu!
💡 Tip: For best results, avoid trying to defrost tiramisu in a microwave as you may inadvertently start to heat it up, which could harm the texture. Also, it’s a good idea not to leave it out at room temperature to defrost. That could make it unappetizingly soggy.
How long does tiramisu last in the fridge?
In my experience, fresh tiramisu never stays in the house for more than a few days. We don’t have a lot of leftovers because it’s just too good not to eat right away! And if you plan to eat it soon after you make your own tiramisu — or bring it home — you may not have to freeze it all.
That’s because tiramisu can keep for 3-4 days in the fridge. This will rule out any chance of freezer burn. And you won’t have to wait hours several for it to thaw when you want to eat it!
Just remember to wrap it in plastic or keep it in an airtight container to retain moisture and flavor.
That said, if you need to make tiramisu several days ahead of time or plan to save it for longer than a few days, then freezing it is your best option.
FAQ
Generally, dairy products do not refreeze with good results, as they can become clumpy and grainy. That’s true for tiramisu as well. While it does freeze well the first time, repeated thawing and freezing will affect the taste and texture. You’ll likely end up with grainy cream and the ladyfingers will become unpleasantly mushy.
Store-bought ladyfingers can come in both spongy and crispy varieties. If you have harder, crunchier ones, you can dip them longer in coffee. With softer ones, just dip them quickly in the coffee or brush it on so they don’t get too soggy.
More food storage answers
Have questions about how to freeze some other foods? Tap the posts below.
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