Sometimes, you avoid trying new things because you think they’re just out of your reach.

But sometimes, you somehow summon up your courage and creativity, and you can surprise yourself.

Usually, I figured tiramisu to be impossible to adapt to be dairy-free. Marscapone cheese, whipped cream, ladyfingers, all seemed insurmountable.

But one day, inspired in part by the Great British Bake Off, as well as just sheer desire to try something delicious, I endeavored to make dairy-free tiramisu.

Hypothesis 1: Tiramisu can be made dairy-free, achieving both creaminess and being set.

Hypothesis 2: Dairy-free tiramisu will be absolutely delicious.

Method

Recipe Source:

Preppy Kitchen’s Easy Tiramisu

Dairy-Free Modifications:

1) Marscapone cheese: per Reddit suggestions, a 1:1 mixture of Violife sour cream and cream cheese

2) Heavy cream: Silk heavy whipping cream

Important Note: Buyer beware- at first I tried to use the Califia Farms heavy whipping cream dairy-free substitute. I tried whipping it both with and without the vanilla, and it did not work either time. I could get to a slightly thicker stage but then it began to split before it whipped up. It also didn’t taste great, to me.

3) Ladyfingers: I baked my own!

4) Not a dairy-free modification specifically, but I highly recommend Roos Roast coffee whether you’re local to Ann Arbor, MI, or available for shipping if you’re far away!

Marscapone cheese hack: half cream cheese, half sour cream, all dairy-free!
Bonus: use Roos Roast for your coffee!

Procedures

Admittedly, this is not as simple of a recipe, as, say, a one-bowl cake. However, the author calls it “easy,” and it is, in the sense that if you follow along with the directions, you will get a tiramisu (and I’m sure, there are probably even more complicated versions out there). I found the instructions to be clear to follow, and I’m sure you will too!

Results

Please note, I made half of the full recipe.

Rich, creamy, lightly sweet, with depth from the rum and coffee, this tiramisu blew away my expectations.

Discussion

I’m pleased to report that both hypotheses were strongly supported! The tiramisu came together with the dairy-free ingredients, with a rich, creamy texture, and relatively clean layers, and it held together. It was also delicious! I didn’t have much experience to compare it to, but both of my reviewers seemed to enjoy it.

As I’m writing this, it’s nearing the end of 2025. This time of year is reminding me that time is fleeting, and therefore, to live boldly. I started this blog with the express purpose of challenging myself to make recipes free of dairy, and sharing what I found with others. I’m so glad that I finally faced the challenge of dairy free tiramisu and to share this deliciousness with you.

I am especially grateful to those that made this recipe modification possible: To John Kanell, the author of Preppy Kitchen. To Violife and Silk, for making dairy-free, allergen-friendly products. To Roos Roast, for making such excellent, local coffee. And finally and perhaps most importantly, to my family, friends, and to you, for emboldening me to take some chances and supporting me in this dairy-free journey.

Yes, You Can! Dairy-Free Tiramisu