If you love the creamy decadence of classic tiramisu but want something a little fruitier and lighter for summer, this Mixed Berry Tiramisu is the perfect dessert. With juicy berries, a tangy whipped mascarpone filling, and soft ladyfingers, it’s everything you love about traditional tiramisu, only my version is brighter, fresher, and a lot healthier. Whether you’re entertaining, looking for a sweet snack, or need a festive treat for a patriotic holiday, these berry parfaits will charm everyone.
What You’ll Need
To make this no-bake berry tiramisu, you’ll need just a few pantry and fridge staples: fresh berries, lemon juice, mascarpone, Greek yogurt, a touch of honey, and ladyfingers. This recipe makes 4 individual 7 oz servings, each one coming in at around 250 calories—light enough to enjoy even on a hot day.
How to Make Mixed Berry Tiramisu (Step-by-Step)
Start by making a simple berry compote. Wash your blueberries and strawberries well, then chop the strawberries into smaller pieces. In a small saucepan, combine about 1 cup (4 oz) of each berry with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, a splash of vanilla, a teaspoon of honey, and just a tablespoon or two of water. Sweeten to taste with sugar or your preferred sweetener. Cook the mixture gently over medium heat until the berries soften and release their juices—this should only take about 5–7 minutes. Once done, strain the compote through a fine sieve, reserving both the syrupy juice and the softened berries separately. This step gives you more control over the layering later.
Next, make the cream. In a medium bowl, mix together ½ cup (about 3.5 oz) of mascarpone cheese with ½ cup (about 4.4 oz) of plain Greek yogurt. Add another 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a tablespoon of honey. Mix until smooth and creamy. You can add a little extra sweetener if you’d like it sweeter—but remember, the berry compote is already flavorful and sweet on its own.
Now it’s time to prep your ladyfingers. Cut about 6 of them (around 1.75 oz total) into smaller pieces so they’ll fit nicely into the bottom of your glasses or jars. No need to soak them in anything—once the dessert chills in the fridge, the berry compote and its syrup will naturally soften the biscuits just enough while still keeping some structure.
Time to assemble! Start with a layer of biscuit pieces at the bottom of each glass. Spoon over some of the reserved berry juice, then a spoonful of the mascarpone cream, followed by a few soft berries. Repeat the layering—biscuits, juice, cream, berries—until you reach the top. Finish with a dollop of cream, a few fresh berries, some crushed biscuit crumbs, and maybe a small sprig of mint for a pop of color.
Chill the assembled tiramisus in the fridge for at least 2–3 hours before serving. This not only helps the flavors meld but also softens the ladyfingers into the perfect texture.
Why You’ll Love This Mixed Berry Tiramisu
- Healthier Twist: Lower in calories and sugar than traditional tiramisu thanks to Greek yogurt and fresh berries.
- No Bake & Quick: No oven needed—perfect for summer when you want something sweet without the heat.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble in advance and keep chilled until ready to serve.
- Beautiful Presentation: Layered in glasses, this dessert looks elegant and colorful. Add a flag pick or festive topping and it’s instantly perfect for holidays like the 4th of July!
- Budget Friendly: Uses minimal ingredients and is very customizable depending on what berries you have on hand.
Tips for Success
- Use fresh berries for best results, but frozen berries work in a pinch—just cook a little longer to reduce excess liquid.
- Don’t skip separating the compote and juice—it prevents the dessert from becoming soggy too quickly.
- Chill before serving to give the biscuits time to soften and the flavors to come together.
- Serve in clear glasses or jars for the most visual impact—those beautiful layers deserve to be seen!
- Customize the toppings—try adding a drizzle of melted chocolate, a sprinkle of granola, or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra flair.
📌 Mixed Berry Tiramisu (Recipe Card)
Makes: 4 servings (7 oz each)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 2–3 hours
Calories: Approx. 250 per serving
Ingredients
For the berry compote:
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup strawberries, chopped
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp honey
- 1–2 tbsp water
- Sugar or sweetener to taste
For the cream:
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2-3 tbsp honey
- Sweetener (optional)
For layering:
- 6 ladyfingers (about 1.75 oz)
- Fresh berries and mint for topping
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- 4 serving glasses (7 oz each)
- Spoon for layering
Instructions
- Make the compote: In a small pot, combine blueberries, strawberries, lemon juice, vanilla, honey, and water. Add sugar or sweetener to taste. Simmer until berries are soft (5–7 minutes). Strain and reserve both juice and berries.
- Make the cream: Mix mascarpone, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and honey until smooth. Add more sweetener if desired.
- Prepare the biscuits: Cut ladyfingers into pieces to fit your glasses.
- Assemble: In each glass, layer biscuit pieces, a spoonful of berry juice, cream, and berries. Repeat layers until glasses are full.
- Top & chill: Finish with cream, fresh berries, crushed biscuits, and mint. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.
