7 reasons tiramisù is the best pick-up dessert

Okay, technically tiramisù means ‘pick me up’ in Italian, but with sumptuous layers of chocolate, mascarpone and boozy bikkies, this Italian dessert makes an excellent pick-up dish, too.

Source: Alan Benson

Spread love and sweetness!

1. Things just got zesty

Like a bit a tang in your tiramisù? Home cook Anna Simon – whose dessert wowed the judges on The Chefs’ Line – likes to add lemon zest and juice to her homemade savoiardi (lady finger biscuits). Meanwhile, a double act of Marsala and Amaretto add a sweet booziness .

Lemon and amaretto tiramisù Source: China Squirrel

2. Can I hold your hand (pie)?

Tiramisù in 30 minutes? It can be done! In this fast, yet fabulous interpretation of the Italian dessert, blitzed chocolate bikkies form hand pie bases. A filling of sweetened, Marsala -spiked mascarpone is then spread inside, with crushed cacao nibs sprinkled on top.

Source: The Pie Project

3. Classic move

This alluring recipe first made an impression Italian Food Safari, and still manages to make our hearts flutter several years on. Liqueur-wise, this recipe calls for Strega, is an Italian herbal digestif, and the aniseed-flavoured Sambuca.

4. Wanna spoon?

With its large Italian population, Argentina is home to many well-executed dishes from the Mediterranean nation. Tiramisù is no exception. Served in a large ceramic dish, this dessert makes a host’s life easier. Simply pass around spoons and your guests can dive right in!

Source: Alan Benson

5. Spice things up

This Indian-meets-Italian dessert is sweet, spicy and delightfully surprising. Swapping espresso for chai tea and adding fresh and crystalised ginger, Anjum Anand brings zing to tiramisù. Traditionalists may shake their head, but if you’re after a fun, flavourful dessert with great pick-up potential, look no further.

Source: Anjum’s Australian Spice Stories

6. Building up to this moment

Always inventive in the baking department, Anneka Manning raises the dessert bar with these tiramisù squares. The elegant individual slices – stacks of sponge, choc-marsala and creamy mascarpone – are topped with a rich chocolate ganache and sprinkles for good measure.

Tiramisu cakes Source: Alan Benson

7. We can take things easy

Laced with coffee and a mix of Tia Maria, Kahlua and Amaretto, this simplified sweet will certainly put a pep in your step! For a slightly different mouth-feel, replace the regular savoiardi biscuits with a packet of pavesini. Slim and super light, they’re great at soaking up the sweet liqueurs!

Easy tiramisu

For more Italian desserts, check out our recipe collection here.