Lightened-Up Tiramisu Parfaits

a tiramisu parfait with chocolate shavings on top

These tiramisu parfaits made with soft ladyfingers, sweetened mascarpone cream, and real espresso taste like the real deal but with a fraction of the sugar and calories.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 10

Chilling time 4

Total Time 4 10

Servings parfaits

Calories 283kcal

Author Amee

Equipment

Parfait dishes or dessert jars

Ingredients

3 oz sponge lady fingers *I use the soft lady fingers, not the biscuits
¾ cup espresso , chilled or cooled to room temp
2 tsp vanilla extract , divided
1 tbsp maple syrup
8 oz mascarpone cheese
⅓ cup monk fruit sweetener *or granulated sugar or sweetener of choice (make sure it's a 1:1 swap- I used the Splenda brand 100% monk fruit sweetener)
8 oz frozen whipped topping , thawed
2 tsp cocoa powder *I use Dutch process cocoa powder
optional: dark chocolate shavings for garnish

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the cooled espresso, 1 tsp vanilla, and maple syrup. Whisk until mixed.
In a large mixing bowl, blend the mascarpone, monk fruit sweetener (or sugar), and the remaining tsp of vanilla. Blend with a whisk attachment until smooth and creamy.
Add the whipped topping and blend on low until just mixed.
Place 2 sponge ladyfingers in the bottom of 6 parfait dishes.
Top the ladyfingers in each jar with 1 tablespoon of the espresso mixture.
Spoon or pipe half of the mascarpone mixture for this layer. Dust with cocoa powder using a fine-mesh sieve, then add another layer of 2 ladyfingers, 1 tbsp espresso mixture (pouring directly onto the sponge cake to soak, and the remaining mascarpone cream.
Cover and chill for 4-6 hours. Before serving, dust with a little more cocoa powder and garnish with shaved chocolate, if desired.

Notes

*You can use any excess espresso mixture to thoroughly saturate the second layer of ladyfingers, being careful not to pour it into the creamed mixture. The cakes should soak it right up.

*Feel free to use your favorite 1:1 granulated sugar sweetener swap. I'm a big fan of the Splenda brand 100% monk fruit sweetener. It doesn't leave a strange aftertaste and tastes great.

*See the post for fun boozy options.

Nutrition