Classic tiramisu, made for two! Creamy, rich layers bursting with the flavors of espresso and liqueur. The perfect romantic Valentine’s Day dessert!
Ah, Valentine’s Day. American commercialism at its best.
Don’t get me wrong – I think it’s nice that people are a little extra nice and loving to each other on that day, but I just have to laugh every time I see people walking out of stores with ten foot tall teddy bears and $100 bouquets of chocolate roses wrapped in shiny red paper. It’s just so much.
Mind you, I’m not a romantic person, so all the Valentine’s Day hooplah is sort of out of my realm of understanding.
Last year, Bill and I spent Valentine’s Day in a lovely Maine inn where we got snowed in during a storm and enjoyed wonderful meals and massages. We didn’t do it as a Valentine’s Day trip, the timing just ended up overlapping.
This year we have nothing planned, and quite frankly during winter in New England… it’s best not to make plans. Mother Nature will always find a way to rearrange your plans for you by way of blizzards.
She’s nice like that.
If you celebrate anywhere that gets weather-y this time of year, I highly recommend going to the store a few days before and picking up the fixings for a lovely, romantic dinner at home.
Maybe to you that means steak and wine, or maybe that means making mac and cheese that’s not out of a blue box. I don’t judge, because frankly the latter sounds amazing.
May I suggest splurging a little on dessert? Given the option of spending a little bit more time and money on appetizer, dinner, drinks or dessert…. I always choose dessert.
Tiramisu is a classic dessert that also has liquor in it, so really you’re splurging on dessert and drinks. Multitasking FTW. But the thing with tiramisu is that you usually make a big ol’ pan of it, and that’s just entirely too much for two people.
Thankfully, tiramisu is something that seems to just get even better over time as the ladyfingers soak up the liquor and the layers kinda meld together – so if you wanted to make a big pan of it, the leftovers would still be fabulous.
But personally, I only want to indulge in this particular dessert every once in a while. That keeps it a special treat!
As for the choice of liquor, I like to soak my ladyfingers in a combination of brandy and orange liqueur.
… that sounds dirty, but it’s not. I swear.
Since we’re making tiramisu for two, why not give it a special touch? Add a little heart sprinkle (aff link) on top for the perfect little “I love you” without the life-sized stuffed animals or singing telegrams.
See? Isn’t that adorable?
Of course it is.
Make sure you don’t add a giant pile of the cocoa/espresso powder mix to the top, otherwise you’ll be choking it down, and two people violently coughing and drinking water straight out of the faucet isn’t sweet. Or romantic.
I added a bit extra for these pictures so you could really see it, but you only want a light dusting.
I really hope you love this as much as I do. Depending on your tolerance for booze and sweets, you might even find that these portions are too much for one sitting so you can just cover it with plastic wrap and finish it tomorrow – and that’s okay. I still love you.
After you’ve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!
Tiramisu (for Two!)
Ingredients
- 2 individual trifle bowls
- 2 eggs, room temperature and separated
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 6 ladyfingers
- 3 ounces brandy or orange liqueur, or mix of both, my personal preference
- 3 ounces brewed espresso
- 1 ounce chocolate, grated
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder + ½ teaspoon espresso powder, sifted together
- Heart sprinkles, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Slice each ladyfinger into three equally-sized pieces. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat egg whites to stiff peaks. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together egg yolks and sugar together until combined.
- For each of the 2 trifle bowls:Add mascarpone to bowl of egg yolk mixture and beat to combine. Fold in egg whites until just combined and no white streaks remain. Divide equally between two small bowls.
- Arrange one of the sliced ladyfingers in a single layer in the bottom of trifle dish. Pour 1 tablespoon of liqueur over ladyfingers (you want to coat them so they soak it up). Now pour 1 tablespoon espresso over them as well.
- From one of your divided mascarpone mixtures, cover the ladyfingers with ⅓ of the mixture. Top with ½ tablespoon grated chocolate and ½ tablespoon cocoa/espresso powder mixture.
- Repeat steps #5 and 6 twice more to form three layers in total.
- Serve immediately, or let set in fridge for up to 5 days (covered with plastic wrap) before serving. Enjoy!
Hannah
So delicious!! Would make again
Leslie Kiszka
So glad you liked it!
JEG
We don’t like to eat out for any of the Hallmark greeting card holidays. I would prefer to eat out a different day and then on those days try to replicate it or make something special at home in a quiet relaxed atmosphere. And my birthday is the next day anyway. This recipe I am going to try out this year. For 2 creations are the best. Thank you.
Leslie Kiszka
I’m so glad you enjoyed the small batch recipes!
Amy
This dessert is good any day, not just for Valentine’s Day right? Small batch also great :)
Mackenzie
We don’t really celebrate Valentine’s day in the traditional sense – we treat it more like a food holiday than a consumer holiday. We always trade off making a different part of the meal for the other person and put a little extra love into it. This may be what I have to make this year!
babylovesberry
I share your feelings about Valentines… stores are making so much money by selling pinkish teddy bearish stuff that is not even funny ! But hey, people love it so I guess it makes sense :)
Jordan
I love tiramisu! I’ve never tried making it at home before. Maybe this V-Day!
Rachel
My husband are planning on staying in this Valentine’s Day. This recipe would be perfect as we are both chocolate and coffee lovers!
alifeofhappenstance
My husband and I don’t do anything extra special for Valentines Day either. I always feel like dinner at a restaurant on that day ends up being a little dissapointing because it’s SO busy and the food just isn’t as good when they’re rushing it out. Dinner at home and an indulgent dessert like this adorable tiramisu is right up my alley!
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery
Those heart sprinkles are adorable!! Love putting tiramisu in individual trifle bowls – I always make a big pan, but the presentation on these is spot on. What a great idea for a big dinner party, too.
Tina
I enjoyed your take on Valentines Day. I always say that when you are in love, everyday is Valentines Day. Thanks for the recipe!
lauren
Girl, I am with you! It’s so funny, I’m SO not into Valentines Day but my husband is all over it. I’m over here like “I got you a card” and he shows up with flowers and a new hand mixer. (True life, this happened last year.) ANYWAYS, this tiramisu is perfect because that’s his favorite dessert. Maybe, since I really love him, I’ll let him eat mine too. But probably not.
Leslie Haasch
Girl, sharing’s overrated.
JEG
@Leslie Haasch, Love the hand mixer–better than a lot of the stuff. It then helps to make this tiramisu–which is now on my menu for THIS year.
Leslie Kiszka
Awesome!
Jenni LeBaron
I love tiramisu and the fact that this is a small enough portion for two makes it that much better. I find that when making recipes for specialty desserts that they make more than we can eat and then I end up wasting half the batch. Thanks for the great alternative!
Leslie Haasch
You’re very welcome!
Meymi-Pastry and Beyond
They look so delicious! I love tiramisu. What a great presentation for Valentine’s day!
Leslie Haasch
Thank you!
Paige
Love that this makes just two…perfect! It looks sinful and I wish i was eating it right now!
Leslie Haasch
Me too! haha
Dominique| Perchance to Cook
These are so cute! I looooove tiramisu but sometimes you don’t want such a big portion of it! This tiramisu for two is perfect, especially for Valentine’s Day!
Leslie Haasch
I definitely think so, too!
issa
delicious
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
I never celebrate Valentine’s Day either- I don’t care for the origins of the holiday. BUT I do love tiramisu, and brandy and orange liqueur sounds like an amazing combination! And you’re right- I usually end up giving away tiramisu after a make a whole batch (but no one seems to mind the gift hahaha!) I’ll have to try this next time!
Leslie Haasch
Valentine’s Day or not, small batch FTW!
Kate
My husband and I don’t tend to do anything too special for Valentine’s Day, but if Ican use it as an excuse to make these, sign me up! :)