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Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe

ByLily
Jump to Recipe·5 from 12 reviews

If you’re a fan of all things cozy and spicy, wait until you try this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe—it’s like fall wrapped up in a dessert! The creamy pumpkin and dreamy mascarpone-like layers combined with just the right touch of pumpkin spice and espresso-soaked ladyfingers make this tiramisu both comforting and sophisticated. I love serving it for weekend brunches or holiday gatherings because it always gets the ooohs and aaahs.

What makes this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe so worth trying? It blends classic Italian tiramisu with seasonal pumpkin flavor, but without being overly sweet or heavy. Plus, prepping it ahead means you’ll have a show-stopping dessert ready to impress with minimal day-of fuss. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll wanna keep it in rotation every fall!

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Balance of Flavors: The pumpkin’s warmth is perfectly offset by the espresso’s boldness and spiced creaminess.
  • Easy Layering: Simple steps make assembling this tiramisu straightforward, even if you’re new to the dessert.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: It tastes even better after resting overnight, giving the flavors time to marry beautifully.
  • Festive Flair: Pumpkin spice and chocolate shavings make it a perfect showpiece for autumn get-togethers.
A glass rectangular baking dish contains a dessert made up of two visible layers: a thick, creamy white top layer with a slightly uneven, whipped texture sprinkled evenly with light brown cinnamon powder, sitting over a thin, pale yellow base layer beneath it. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7 this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe is all in the ingredients that create layers of texture and flavor—a lovely devil’s balance between light, creamy, and slightly spiced. Grab good quality pumpkin puree and fresh coffee for the best results, and you’ll make this dessert sing.

  • Strongly brewed coffee: This adds the robust espresso flavor crucial to tiramisu; make sure it’s cool before dipping ladyfingers.
  • Cream cheese: Acts as the rich, tangy base that pairs beautifully with pumpkin and spices, replacing traditional mascarpone.
  • Pumpkin puree: Use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, for natural flavor without extra sugar or spices.
  • Powdered sugar: Dissolves easily to sweeten both the pumpkin cream and whipped cream layers smoothly.
  • Pumpkin spice: This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger brings signature warm spice notes to the dessert.
  • Heavy cream: Whipped into fluffy peaks, it lightens the texture and gives a luscious mouthfeel.
  • Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor depth by adding subtle sweet warmth.
  • Powdered gelatin: Stabilizes the whipped cream so this tiramisu holds its shape when served.
  • Ladyfingers: These sponge-like cookies soak up the coffee mixture perfectly without getting soggy.
  • Chocolate shavings & pumpkin spice (for garnish): Adds a beautiful finishing touch visually and flavor-wise.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe is how flexible it can be. Feel free to tweak the spice levels, swap cream cheese for mascarpone if you want an ultra-rich layer, or even add a splash of bourbon to the coffee for an adult twist. The key is making the dessert feel like yours!

  • Variation: I’ve tried adding a bit of espresso powder to the pumpkin cream for extra coffee depth—it’s insanely good!
  • Dietary modifications: Use coconut cream and dairy-free cream cheese for a vegan-friendly alternative, but gelatin will need a plant-based substitute.
  • Seasonal changes: Swap pumpkin puree for sweet potato or butternut squash purée for a twist on the fall theme.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up That Pumpkin Cream Dream

First, grab a bowl and whisk together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin puree with a hand mixer until smooth and combined. This is your pumpkin cream—smooth, velvety, and packed with cozy flavor. I always make sure my cream cheese isn’t cold straight from the fridge—it blends so much better at room temp.

Step 2: Prepare the Whipped Cream with a Gelatin Boost

Next, start whipping your heavy cream along with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. When it starts to thicken but before it forms peaks, dissolve the gelatin in cold water, microwave for about 10 seconds to activate it, then stir it into the cream. Continue whipping until you see soft peaks that hold their shape nicely—this is the secret to a stable, airy topping!

Step 3: Coffee Soak and Layer Magic

Dip each ladyfinger fully in the cooled brewed coffee—don’t leave them in too long or they’ll turn to mush! Lay them evenly in your 9 x 13 pan to create the perfect base layer. I like using an offset spatula to gently spread half the pumpkin cream over the ladyfingers, and then dollop half the whipped cream on top, smoothing it out carefully to keep those neat layers.

Step 4: Repeat and Chill – Patience is Key

Repeat the layering process with more coffee-dipped ladyfingers, the remaining pumpkin cream, and whipped cream. Cover the whole pan tightly with plastic wrap and pop it into your fridge for at least 4 hours, though overnight is even better. This resting time lets flavors meld, textures soften, and makes slicing so much easier.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve Like a Pro

Just before serving, dust the top with a sprinkle of pumpkin spice and a generous amount of chocolate shavings for extra decadence. Slice into squares and watch your friends’ faces light up—they’ll be asking for your recipe before the last bite!

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Tips from My Kitchen

  • Room Temperature Cheesecake: Let cream cheese soften before mixing to avoid lumps in the pumpkin cream layer.
  • Coffee Dip Timing: Quickly dip ladyfingers to keep their structure—over-soaking leads to mushy layers.
  • Gelatin Activation: Microwave the gelatin mixture just until dissolved—too long and it sets too fast, too little and it won’t hold.
  • Chill Thoroughly: Don’t skip the chilling time—it’s key for that perfect slice-able tiramisu consistency.

How to Serve Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe

The image shows a multi-layered dessert in a clear rectangular glass dish against a white marbled surface. The dessert has four visible layers: the bottom layer appears to be a soaked, light brown sponge or biscuit base, followed by a thick pale yellow creamy layer, topped by another soaked sponge layer, and then a final thick yellow cream layer. The top of the dessert is covered with a smooth white whipped cream layer, which has some soft swirls and is lightly sprinkled with a fine brown powder, likely cinnamon or cocoa. A large section is missing from the front left of the dish, revealing the layered inside clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love keeping garnishes simple yet elegant—freshly grated dark chocolate and a light dusting of pumpkin spice do all the work. Sometimes, I add a few whole cinnamon sticks or a sprinkle of toasted pecans for crunch and flair. It’s all about enhancing those warm autumn vibes.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs wonderfully with a crisp apple cider or a cup of spicy chai tea to complement the pumpkin flavors. For brunch, I like serving it alongside some fresh fruit or a light salad to keep the meal balanced and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

Feeling fancy? Serve individual tiramisu cups layered in stemmed glasses topped with a sprig of fresh mint or a tiny cinnamon stick. For holiday dinners, assemble the tiramisu in a clear trifle bowl to show off the gorgeous pumpkin and cream layers—always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftovers tightly covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after a day or two, but make sure it stays chilled to maintain that creamy texture and avoid sogginess.

Freezing

Freezing this tiramisu is possible, but I recommend freezing in individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving—the texture remains very close to fresh and the taste is still delicious!

Reheating

Since tiramisu is best served chilled, I don’t recommend reheating. If you prefer a slightly softer texture, just let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving, and it’ll be perfect.

FAQs

  1. Can I use mascarpone instead of cream cheese in this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe?

    Absolutely! Mascarpone will give you a richer, creamier texture that’s closer to traditional tiramisu. If you swap it, you might want to reduce the sugar slightly since mascarpone tends to be sweeter and milder than cream cheese.

  2. How important is the gelatin in this recipe?

    Gelatin is key for stabilizing the whipped cream so that your Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu holds its shape nicely when sliced. Without it, the dessert might be too soft and runny, especially after sitting in the fridge for hours.

  3. Can I prepare this Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe ahead of time?

    Yes! In fact, preparing it the day before improves the flavor and texture dramatically. Just make sure to cover it well and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.

  4. What can I serve with Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu?

    Pair it with warm beverages like chai, coffee, or apple cider. If serving as part of a meal, light salads or fresh fruit balance the richness of the dessert nicely.

Final Thoughts

This Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe is one I keep coming back to every autumn because it blends tradition with something a little unexpected—and honestly, that’s what makes it so fun to share with friends and family. It’s elegant but approachable, comforting but fresh. I can’t wait for you to try it and hear what you think, because there’s nothing quite like a homemade tiramisu that feels like a warm hug from fall itself.

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Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
Print Recipe

Description

A festive and creamy Spiced Pumpkin Tiramisu combining the rich flavors of pumpkin, warm spices, and classic tiramisu layers with ladyfingers soaked in strong coffee, topped with whipped cream and garnished with chocolate shavings and pumpkin spice.

Ingredients

Coffee Soak

  • 3 cups strongly brewed coffee

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Mixture

  • 1 lb. cream cheese
  • 15 oz. pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

Whipped Cream Mixture

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon powdered gelatin (Knox)
  • 2 tablespoons cold water

Assembly

  • 2 packages 14 oz. ladyfingers (about 40 ladyfingers)
  • Chocolate shavings, for garnish
  • Pumpkin spice, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pumpkin Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin puree using a hand mixer until smooth and fully combined. Set aside.
  2. Whip Cream: In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer to whisk the heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the cream starts to thicken but is not yet at stiff peaks.
  3. Prepare Gelatin: In a small bowl, combine powdered gelatin and cold water. Microwave for 10 seconds, then stir until the gelatin crystals completely dissolve.
  4. Incorporate Gelatin into Cream: Add the dissolved gelatin into the thickening whipped cream and continue whisking until soft peaks form and the whipped cream can hold its shape.
  5. Soak Ladyfingers: Dip each ladyfinger fully into the brewed coffee, making sure they are well soaked but not falling apart, then evenly line the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan with the soaked ladyfingers.
  6. Layer Pumpkin Mixture and Whipped Cream: Spread half of the pumpkin cream cheese mixture evenly over the ladyfingers. Then top with half of the whipped cream mixture, smoothing it out evenly.
  7. Repeat Layers: Add another layer of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, then the remaining pumpkin cream cheese mixture, and finish with the remaining whipped cream on top.
  8. Chill: Refrigerate the assembled tiramisu for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set.
  9. Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle with pumpkin spice and garnish with chocolate shavings. Cut into portions and enjoy.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use freshly brewed strong coffee or espresso.
  • Make sure to fully dissolve the gelatin to avoid any grainy texture.
  • Do not soak ladyfingers too long in coffee to prevent sogginess.
  • Chilling overnight enhances the flavor and texture of the tiramisu.
  • Chocolate shavings can be made using a bar of dark or semi-sweet chocolate and a vegetable peeler.
  • This recipe serves well as a festive holiday dessert.
  • To make it lower in sugar, reduce the powdered sugar slightly in the cream mixtures.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 370 kcal
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 170 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg

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