Can You Freeze Tiramisu?

Tiramisu is a delicious Italian dessert that has become very popular. It isn’t surprising. Not many people can resist the layers of delicious mascarpone separated by lady fingers soaked in coffee and brandy or amaretto. 

So, what happens if you have some left over? I know, the chances aren’t high that you will have any left over as tiramisu is too tasty, but just in case you do, can you freeze it so that you can enjoy it at a later date?

Dairy often doesn’t freeze that well but luckily, it is possible to freeze tiramisu. Just follow our guide and you should end up with good results.

How Do You Freeze Tiramisu?

If you intend to sprinkle cocoa or nuts over your tiramisu, don’t do this until you have defrosted your tiramisu. Nuts don’t freeze well, and the cocoa will soak into the tiramisu. 

It is advisable to freeze your tiramisu within a day of making it, otherwise, it will start to spoil and it could make you sick. 

This is the way to freeze your tiramisu.

1. Cut the tiramisu into portions.

It is best to cut the tiramisu into individual portions as this helps it to keep its taste and texture.  In addition, you will then be able to take out just as much as you need and not end up throwing some away.

2. Wrap the portions of tiramisu.

It is important to wrap each piece of tiramisu in a few layers of cling film. Make sure that it is a tight fit so that air doesn’t get in. If air does get in, freezer burn can occur and while the tiramisu will still be safe to eat, it will lose taste and texture. If you want to add an extra layer of protection, wrap a piece of aluminum foil over the cling film.

3. Put the portions of tiramisu in freezer bags.

You can put meal-size portions into each bag. Squeeze out all the air so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Alternatively, you can put the portions in an airtight container or a foil takeaway tray. Label each bag or container with the date frozen and the contents. You don’t want to leave the tiramisu in the freezer longer than it should be. If it starts to spoil, you could get sick.

4. Freeze.

Tips For Freezing Tiramisu

  1. Put the tiramisu in the fridge for a couple of hours before you freeze it to firm it up. It will then have less chance of falling apart.
  2. Divide the tiramisu into portions so that you only defrost as many portions as you need.
  3. Squeeze out all the air from the freezer bags so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. 
  4. Add toppings once you have defrosted the tiramisu.

For How Long Can You Freeze Tiramisu?

If you freeze homemade tiramisu and divide it into portions, the slices can be frozen for two to three months. However, some shop-bought tiramisus can be frozen, and if they are kept in their original packaging, they can be frozen for between three and four months. However, it tastes better the sooner you eat it, so we would recommend that you only keep it in the freezer for a month. Anyway, we think that you won’t be able to resist eating the tiramisu within four weeks!

How Do You Defrost Tiramisu?

It is very easy to defrost tiramisu. All you have to do is take it out of the freezer and leave it in the fridge overnight. You want the dessert to be cool, so you only need to put it on your countertop at room temperature for fifteen minutes before eating. You can now add a sprinkle of cocoa powder, chocolate sprinkles, or nuts.

Can You Refreeze Tiramisu?

No, you can’t refreeze tiramisu. Alcohol and dairy products are difficult enough to freeze without defrosting and refreezing again. If you do refreeze it, you will probably end up with grainy cream and mushy lady’s fingers. You shouldn’t need to refreeze it if you portion out your tiramisu.

Is It a Good Idea To Freeze Tiramisu?

Tiramisu isn’t the easiest dessert to freeze because the lady’s fingers continue to absorb liquid even when frozen (see also Should You Freeze Trifle?). This can make them a bit mushy when defrosted. However, if you wrap the portions of tiramisu as we have described, you should get good results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing tiramisu but in case you want to know more about freezing tiramisu and tiramisu in general, we have answered a few questions here.

Are there any alternative flavors of tiramisu?

The coffee and alcohol version is the traditional way of making tiramisu. However, you can mix it up a bit. Other versions include chocolate, strawberry, raspberry, triple berry, lemon, lime, and pumpkin.

I don’t like mascarpone. Are there any alternative cheeses I could use?

Yes, you could use cottage cheese for a low-calorie version of tiramisu. You could also use cream cheese, creme fraiche, ricotta cheese, sour cream, or full-fat Greek yogurt. However, we prefer the original creamy mascarpone. It is certainly an indulgence.

I’m vegan. Can I still enjoy tiramisu?

Some stores sell vegan mascarpone and vegan cream cheese. You could also use coconut cream and lemon juice or coconut cream and cashew butter.

Can I make a frozen tiramisu?

Yes, you can, and it is delicious on a hot summer’s day. Replace the mascarpone with ice cream and eat from frozen.

Is it possible to freeze store-bought tiramisu?

This is a difficult question as some can be frozen while others can’t. However, most packages will tell you whether or not you can freeze the tiramisu. If you can, you can freeze it in its original packaging as this will help to retain its texture. However, if you don’t want to eat it all at once, you can put it in the fridge for a couple of hours to firm it up, open the package, and divide it into portions. Prepare it for freezing in the way we described for homemade tiramisu.

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