If you’ve ever dreamt of drinking tiramisu, this tiramisu hot chocolate is the answer to your dreams. It’s liquid tiramisu in the form of a comforting hot chocolate that’s rich, creamy, and tastes exactly like the famous Italian dessert. Heck, it’s even easier to make than the real deal!

Here’s how to make this incredible tiramisu hot chocolate at home!

What is Tiramisu Hot Cocoa?

No, this is not tiramisu cake with coffee subbed for hot cocoa; this is a rich and delicious tiramisu-inspired hot chocolate! Tiramisu lattes and matchas have been really popular recently, but you know what I haven’t seen? That same tiramisu cream on hot cocoa, which I thought would be incredible!

The cocoa is made from milk, dark chocolate, vanilla, and a sweetener with a splash of espresso for that coffee flavor. Then, it’s topped with the most important part, a delicious mascarpone cream! To look the part, we also dust the top with cocoa powder and dunk a crispy ladyfinger for a snack.

What Does Tiramisu Hot Chocolate Taste Like?

I kid you not, it tastes exactly like tiramisu, but in liquid form. The base of this hot cocoa is basically a fancy mocha, but what really makes it taste like a dessert is the mascarpone cream.

Arguably, tiramisu without the mascarpone cream is not tiramisu. You really need that slight tang and thick, creamy cheese to really nail the flavor down. Technically, you also need amaretto as the liquor, but to make this non-alcoholic, I’ve omitted it from my recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Hot Cocoa

• It’s insanely delicious, like, the best hot chocolate I’ve ever made.
• Try a spin on a classic hot chocolate!
• It’s a dessert in liquid form.
• A fancy drink that is actually super easy to make!
• Cafe-quality beverage you can make at home!

Tiramisu Hot Chocolate: What You’ll Need

Equipment

• A hand-held frother or electric mixer
• A medium-sized pot
• Measuring cup

Ingredients

• Tiramisu Hot Chocolate
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp heavy cream
• 1½ oz 70%+ dark chocolate (this is 4 Ghiradelli squares)
• ½ tsp vanilla paste or extract
• 1 tsp agave or sugar
• 1-2 shots of espresso
• 1 lady finger (garnish)
• Some cocoa powder (garnish)
• Mascarpone Cream
• 1½ tbsp room temperature mascarpone cheese
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ tsp agave or sugar
• ⅛ tsp vanilla extract or paste

Tiramisu Hot Chocolate Recipe

1. Chop Chocolate. Unwrap and chop the chocolate into small, pebble-sized pieces with a knife. This will help melt the chocolate faster and evenly.
2. Heat Milk. Add milk, sweetener, and vanilla bean paste to a small or medium-sized pot. (If using vanilla extract, add after you add the chopped chocolate.) Place on the stove and heat on low to medium heat until a gentle simmer starts, then reduce to the lowest heat.
3. Make Hot Cocoa. Add the chopped chocolate and, using a spoon, stir the mixture until all the chocolate melts. Add a tablespoon of heavy cream and stir to get rid of any cocoa granules to get a glossy, creamy texture.
4. Brew Espresso. Brew 1-2 shots of espresso using your favorite beans and method. You can also use a Moka pot or instant espresso powder.
5. Whip Mascarpone Cream. Add heavy cream, mascarpone cheese, vanilla, and sweetener to a measuring cup or small bowl. Using a handheld frother or mixer, whip the cheese cream until fluffy and semi-stiff peaks form.
6. Assemble Drink. Pour espresso and hot cocoa into a separate mug, leaving a three-quarter-inch gap on top, then stir to combine. Gently spoon or pipe the mascarpone cream on top, then garnish with a dusting of cocoa powder. Serve with a ladyfinger!
7. Mix and Enjoy!

Note: When you add the chocolate to the hot milk, it might have trouble incorporating since oil and water do not mix. The heavy cream helps “unlock” the cocoa solids so you get a smooth texture. If you add too much cream and the cocoa becomes too thick, add a little bit of milk and combine.

Tips for the Best Tiramisu Hot Cocoa

• Garnish Well: You eat with your eyes first! I love how a coating of cocoa powder looks on desserts and drinks; it just makes them look more appetizing! I recommend this powder garnish, and then also adding a ladyfinger on top!
• Melt the Chocolate Completely: The secret to a creamy hot chocolate is melting all the chocolate in the milk. You might have to stir for 2-3 minutes on low heat for this to happen, but the cream helps ensure it’s creamy and smooth.
• Use Dark Chocolate: Since we’re adding a mild sweetener, a strong, dark chocolate helps balance the flavor and give a nice richness. You can use whatever chocolate you like, though!
• Use a Cute Piping Tip: The mascarpone cream is hard to scoop onto a hot liquid without splattering everywhere. I recommend piping it with a cut Ziploc bag or pastry bag for more control. You can also use a cute piping tip to make it look unique!

Tiramisu Hot Cocoa Variations

• Caffeine-Free: I add espresso to the drink to mimic the coffee flavor in tiramisu, but that means this drink has caffeine in it. You can omit it or use decaf coffee for a caffeine-free version.
• Vegan: Replace all the dairy products with vegan alternatives, like the cream, milk, and mascarpone cheese. It’s easy to find oat or coconut-based replacements for the first two, but the mascarpone cheese might be hard to find a vegan substitute. However, vegan cream cheese makes a close replacement!
• Alcoholic: Tiramisu also usually has Marsala wine, which is a sweet, nutty wine, but it’s common for bakers to replace it with brandy, rum, or amaretto. You can add a splash of your favorite rum or coffee liquor to add the same boozy flavor.
• Iced: This drink is also fabulous iced! Just make sure your hot chocolate cools before adding it to a glass with ice. It will also be easier to add cream on top, so you don’t need to whip the cream as stiffly. Honestly, it’s probably better to add a soft cream top instead!
• Mascarpone Substitute: Mascarpone can be a little hard to find, so you can use heavy cream and cream cheese as a replacement. Since cream cheese doesn’t have as much fat as mascarpone, use less cream cheese and more heavy cream in your mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does tiramisu hot chocolate have caffeine?

This tiramisu hot chocolate has espresso, so it has about 120mg of caffeine in it, which is the same as a standard cafe latte. However, you can either omit it or use decaf espresso for a caffeine-free version.

Can I substitute mascarpone cheese?

While there’s no exact mascarpone cheese replacement, you can get close by using a mixture of heavy cream and cream cheese. But if you can, I highly recommend using the real deal for the closest tiramisu flavor.

Other Hot Chocolate Recipes to Try

This tiramisu hot chocolate is honestly one of the best hot cocoa recipes I’ve made, but if you make this, then you’ll love other varieties! Here are some hot cocoa recipes you need to try next:

• Whipped Hot Chocolate
• Bone Broth Hot Chocolate
• Earl Grey Hot Chocolate
• Matcha White Hot Chocolate
• Hot Chocolate Bombs