Mini Tiramisu

Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts and I assembled these mini tiramisu in individual jars for a sweet treat in an adorable portion size. This version has a hint of lavender from lavender simple syrup.

This is the mini tiramisu with lavender in a jar that I made on Zoë Bakes season 3, episode 5! For those wondering where you can buy the jars, here is a link to the 5.4 oz Weck Jars I use in the episode. Be sure to check out my Breakfast Cookies recipe, also from this episode on small portions.

Season 3, episode 5: Small Portions

Zoë shares some of her favorite strategies for healthy baking (and eating) by making Morning Cookies, a guilt-free, grab and go nutritious breakfast or snack, and tiramisu in single-serve jars — because sometimes it’s all about portion control.

Mini Tiramisu

Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts and I assembled these in individual jars for a sweet treat in an adorable portion size. This version has a hint of lavender from lavender simple syrup.

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Active Time: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 12 servings

Author: Zoë François

Equipment

• 12 5.4 oz jars

Ingredients

Espresso Sponge Cake

• Unsalted butter for the pan
• 4 large eggs separated
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup espresso hot
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Pinch salt

Mascarpone Filling

• 6 large egg yolks
• 1/3 cup Lavender Simple Syrup (recipe follows) strained
• Pinch salt
• 1 cup (8 ounces) mascarpone cheese
• 3/4 cup heavy cream

Assembly

• 1 cup espresso, cooled or coffee
• 2 tbsp Lavender Simple Syrup (recipe follows) strained
• 1/4 cup (20 grams) cocoa powder for dusting the layers
• Cacao nibs, for topping optional

Lavender Simple Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp fresh or dried lavender flowers

Instructions

Espresso Sponge Cake

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and grease with butter.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg yolks on high speed. Once the eggs are well combined, turn the speed to medium-low and slowly sprinkle in half the sugar. Turn the speed to high, and slowly drizzle in the hot espresso. Let it whip for about 5 minutes until the egg mixture is light in color and very thick.
• In a clean mixer bowl with a clean whisk attachment, whip the egg whites on medium speed until they start to foam. Slowly sprinkle in the remaining sugar to create a French meringue, turn the speed to high and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 1 to 2 minutes more.
• Mix about a third of the meringue into the yolks to lighten the yolk mixture. Gently fold the remaining meringue mixture into the yolks using a rubber spatula.
• Combine the flour and salt and sift one-third of the mixture over the egg foam and gently fold it in with a rubber spatula. Repeat with the next one-third flour and then the final one-third flour.
• Spread the cake batter over the prepared baking sheet and smooth the top with a small offset spatula.
• Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cake springs back when gently pressed. Allow the cake to cool completely.

Mascarpone Filling

• In a double boiler, whisk together the egg yolks, lavender syrup, and salt. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens. Place the bowl in an ice bath to cool the mixture quickly.
• In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the mascarpone and heavy cream together on medium speed until they hold stiff peaks.
• Gently fold the whipped mascarpone into the yolk mixture in thirds. Place the mascarpone mixture in a pastry bag fitted with a round tip and set aside.

Assembly

• Create the soaking liquid for the cake by combining the cooled espresso (or coffee) with the 2 tablespoons of lavender simple syrup and set aside. Have ready twelve 5.4-ounce jars.
• Dip a round cutter that matches the diameter of your jars into water (the cake is a little sticky, so this will help the cake release from the cutter), then cut out a circle of the cooled cake. Dip the cake circle into the espresso-lavender mixture and place the soaked cake circle on the bottom of a jar. Dust the top with cocoa powder. Pipe a thin layer of the mascarpone filling over the cake. Repeat with another layer of soaked cake, cocoa powder, and mascarpone filling. Finish with one more layer of soaked cake and cocoa. Repeat with the remaining jars. Cover each tiramisu with cacao nibs and refrigerate until ready to eat. They can be made a day ahead.

Lavender Simple Syrup

• In a sauce pot, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Allow it to simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat, add your lavender, and let it steep in the syrup. Wait until it's cool, then transfer it to the fridge. It can be stored in the refrigerator in a lidded jar for up to a month. The longer you let the lavender steep in the simple syrup the stronger the flavor will be. (I store it in the refrigerator with the flowers still in the syrup and strain it when I need it in a recipe.)

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