If you have a soft spot for strawberry shortcake and a love for the creamy indulgence of tiramisu, you’re in for an absolute treat! Learning How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Tiramisu brings together the best of both worlds in a glorious, no-bake dessert that bursts with freshness, sweetness, and delightful textures. This recipe is perfect for sunny afternoons when you want something light yet luscious, combining juicy strawberries, rich cream cheese, and spongy ladyfingers soaked in citrusy orange juice. Whether you’re serving friends or treating yourself, this dessert is sure to become a new favorite.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Tiramisu Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to build layers of flavor, texture, and color that make this dessert sing. From ripe strawberries adding natural sweetness to whipped cream bringing a cloudlike fluffiness, everything plays an essential role.

Fresh strawberries (1 pint, sliced): The star ingredient offering vibrant color and juiciness that brighten the dessert.
Granulated sugar (3 tablespoons): Sweetens the strawberries, helping them macerate into a juicy syrup.
Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Adds brightness and a subtle tang to balance the sweetness.
Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): Gives rich creaminess and a slight tang, making the filling silky smooth.
Strawberry preserves (2 teaspoons, melted): Intensifies the strawberry flavor, enriching the filling’s sweetness.
Whipped cream (1 ½ cups, preferably homemade): Creates a light, airy texture that contrasts beautifully with the denser cream cheese.
Ladyfingers (1 package, about 24): Sponge-like texture perfect for soaking up orange juice without falling apart.
Orange juice (¼ cup): Adds a fresh, citrusy note and moistens the ladyfingers just right.
Pure vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the cream mixture with warm, comforting flavor.

How to Make How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Tiramisu

Step 1: Macerate the Strawberries

Begin by combining your sliced fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl. Toss them gently and let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes. This resting period is key because it allows the strawberries to release their natural juices and form a syrup that deepens their flavor and softens their texture — making every bite succulent and sweet.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Filling

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s perfectly smooth. Then, melt the strawberry preserves gently and mix them in for that extra burst of berry goodness. Separately, whisk your whipped cream with vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Gently fold this fluffy whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. This step preserves the airy texture, ensuring the filling feels light and silky against the refreshing strawberry layers.

Step 3: Soak the Ladyfingers

Pour the fresh orange juice into a shallow dish. Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the juice for just one to two seconds—quick dips are crucial to avoid sogginess while giving them a tantalizing citrus finish. Use fresh, dry ladyfingers for the best results so they stay tender but intact when layered.

Step 4: Assemble the Layers

Start by laying down a snug layer of orange-soaked ladyfingers in your serving dish. Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese whipped filling over them, followed by a hearty layer of the juicy macerated strawberries, including some of that lovely syrup. Repeat these layers thoughtfully—ladyfingers, cream, strawberries—until all ingredients are used, packing the layers tightly to support the dessert’s structure while making it look absolutely stunning.

Step 5: Chill and Set

Cover your assembled strawberry shortcake tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least six hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time is where the magic happens: flavors deepen, layers meld, and the dessert firms up perfectly for neat slicing. If you want to prepare ahead, you can freeze it wrapped tightly for up to one month and thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

How to Serve How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Tiramisu

Garnishes

Fresh garnishes make a delightful impression and add contrasting textures. Consider topping your slices with a few whole fresh strawberries, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or even a small mint leaf. These little touches elevate the presentation and enhance the fresh aroma of the dessert.

Side Dishes

This dessert is a perfect standalone treat, but pairing it with something simple like a crisp green salad or a white wine spritzer can balance the richness beautifully. It’s also fabulous to accompany with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence on warmer days.

Creative Ways to Present

You can serve this dessert in a traditional large dish or get creative by using individual glass jars or trifle bowls for personal servings. Layering the tiramisu in clear glasses lets the stunning colors shine through, delighting guests before the first bite even reaches their mouth.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which might be tricky!), store them covered in the refrigerator. The tiramisu will keep well for up to 3 days, maintaining its freshness and texture thanks to the airtight wrap.

Freezing

Freezing is a fantastic option if you want to prepare this dessert ahead of time. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container. It can be kept frozen for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw it slowly overnight in the fridge to keep the texture just right.

Reheating

This dessert is best served cold, so reheating is not recommended. However, removing the tiramisu from the fridge about 15 minutes before serving will take the chill off slightly and let the flavors shine.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

While fresh strawberries provide the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen if you drain them well and gently pat dry to remove excess liquid — otherwise, the dessert might become too watery.

Is it okay to use store-bought whipped cream?

Store-bought whipped cream works in a pinch, but homemade whipped cream offers superior texture and flavor, making your strawberry shortcake tiramisu lighter and fluffier.

Can I substitute ladyfingers with another biscuit?

Ladyfingers are ideal because of their spongy texture that soaks up orange juice just right. However, sponge cake or vanilla wafers can work if soaked carefully to avoid sogginess.

How long should I soak the ladyfingers?

Just 1-2 seconds per side is enough to soak up flavor without turning soggy. A quick dip ensures they remain tender yet hold the structure of the layers.

Can I make this dessert vegan or dairy-free?

With some substitutions like vegan cream cheese, coconut whipped cream, and vegan ladyfingers, you can adapt this recipe. However, the traditional version’s richness comes from dairy so expect slightly different textures and flavors.

Final Thoughts

Making How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Tiramisu is truly a joyful experience that transforms simple ingredients into a show-stopping dessert. It’s the perfect recipe to impress your loved ones or pamper yourself without fuss or baking. So grab those strawberries and whipped cream, and dive into this luscious layering of flavors — I promise it will become a cherished favorite in your dessert repertoire!

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Tiramisu Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 20 reviews

Author: Zoe
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time)
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A delightful no-bake dessert that combines the classic flavors of strawberry shortcake with the creamy texture of tiramisu. This strawberry shortcake tiramisu layers macerated fresh strawberries, fluffy cream cheese and whipped cream filling, and orange juice-dipped ladyfingers to create a fresh, flavorful treat perfect for warm days or any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit Mixture

1 pint (approximately 2 cups or 300 g) sliced fresh strawberries
3 tablespoons (38 g) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice

Filling

8 ounces (227 g) cream cheese, softened, full-fat recommended
2 teaspoons (10 ml) strawberry preserves, melted
1 ½ cups (360 ml) whipped cream, homemade preferred
2 teaspoons (10 ml) pure vanilla extract

Assembly

1 package (approx. 24 ladyfingers or 200 g) ladyfingers
¼ cup (60 ml) orange juice

Instructions

Prepare the Strawberries: In a medium bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, and fresh lemon juice. Toss gently to mix and let sit uncovered for about 10 minutes to allow the strawberries to release juice and create a flavorful syrup. The berries should become juicy and slightly softened.
Make the Cream Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the melted strawberry preserves until smooth and free of lumps. In another bowl, whisk the whipped cream with vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture gently and gradually, maintaining a light, airy texture.
Dip the Ladyfingers: Pour the orange juice into a shallow dish. Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the orange juice for 1-2 seconds per side, ensuring they are moist but not soggy. Lay them immediately into the serving dish to prevent over-soaking.
Assemble the Layers: Arrange a snug layer of soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of the dish. Spread a layer of the cream filling evenly over the ladyfingers. Add a layer of the macerated strawberries along with a little syrup for moisture. Repeat the layering process—ladyfingers, cream, strawberries, and whipped cream—until all ingredients are used, packing layers tightly for good structure and appearance.
Chill the Dessert: Cover the assembled tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and the dessert to firm up. For longer storage, wrap securely and freeze for up to one month; thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Notes

Use fresh, firm ladyfingers to avoid soggy layers.
Homemade whipped cream will yield the best texture, but store-bought can be used in a pinch.
Adjust sugar in the strawberries depending on their natural sweetness.
For a stronger flavor, add a teaspoon of orange liqueur to the orange juice for dipping ladyfingers.
This dessert can be prepared a day in advance to enhance flavor melding.
Freeze leftovers tightly wrapped to maintain freshness for up to one month.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake, Layered Assembly
Cuisine: American