Yes, you can freeze tiramisu!
Tiramisu is a sweet, cheese and coffee based Italian dessert. It consists of layers of coffee and liqueur soaked sponge fingers known as lady fingers or savoiardi. These are stacked up with layers of beaten eggs, sugar, mascarpone cheese and coffee.
The name, tiramisu comes from the Italian word for pick me up or cheer me up. It is believed to have originated in the late 1960s or 70s somewhere in Italy. The most commonly believed birthplace is either Veneto or Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Over the years there have been many variations on the traditional tiramisu. These include the addition of Marsala, Amaretto, Disaronno, and whipped cream to enhance the luxuriousness of the dessert.
Some people prefer to switch out the lady fingers for panettone or other forms of sponge cake.
Tiramisu will last for around 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. If you store tiramisu correctly in the freezer, it will last for up to 3 months.
How to freeze tiramisu
If you do not want to freeze a whole tiramisu, you can make the ladyfingers or savoiardi. These can be frozen alone to make the process of making a tiramisu much faster and easier.
Simply place in a rigid airtight container and layer up with sheets of parchment paper between each layer. Seal tightly and label before storing in the freezer. These can be frozen for up to 1 month with no deterioration in taste.
If your tiramisu is topped with nuts, cocoa powder or cacao nibs, we recommend removing this layer prior to freezing.
To freeze tiramisu, tightly wrap the dessert and container in 2 layers of plastic wrap. Cover with a third layer of aluminum foil. This will ensure that as little air as possible comes into contact with the surface of the tiramisu, reducing the risk of freezer burn.
Label clearly with the contents and the date frozen. Place in the freezer and leave to store.
You can also cut tiramisu into individual portions to make for a quick and easy weeknight dessert. Wrap each piece individually in 2 layers of plastic wrap, ensuring the slices are tightly encased. Cover in aluminum foil, label and store in the freezer.
If you buy a tiramisu from a store and it is in an airtight container, you can freeze it in this. For best results, we still advise wrapping in a double layer of plastic wrap and then aluminum foil.
How to defrost tiramisu
To thaw lady fingers, remove from the freezer the day before you wish to use them to make a tiramisu. Transfer to the refrigerator and leave overnight to thaw completely.
Leave them in the container during the thawing process. A few hours before using, transfer the container of lady fingers to the countertop and allow to return to room temperature.
The day before you wish to eat the tiramisu, remove from the freezer. Place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw completely. Keep the wrappings tightly sealed around the tiramisu while it thaws. This will stop the flavored liquid from seeping out of the tiramisu.
Top with cocoa powder or other toppings of your choice just before serving. The thawed tiramisu will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.
If you forget to take it out this far in advance, you can allow it to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours and serve it partially frozen, kind of like an ice cream cake.
We do not advise thawing the tiramisu in the microwave. The intense heat from the microwave could destroy the consistency and texture of the tiramisu.
We also do not recommend thawing the tiramisu under running water as we do for other foods. This is because the water can permeate the layers of wrapping and can make the tiramisu turn soggy.
Factors to consider before freezing tiramisu
Where possible, we recommend freezing tiramisu in individual portion sizes. This is because wrapping individually allows for a more airtight covering which will retain the quality of the tiramisu better.
The texture of the tiramisu is likely to deteriorate while in the freezer. This is because the spongy ladyfingers have a tendency to absorb liquid. This can make your tiramisu become soggy when thawed, so this is something to be taken into consideration.
It is important to ensure the tiramisu is tightly wrapped to prevent air bubbles forming. These could lead to freezer burn. Additionally, wrapping tightly seals the flavors in the dihs and prevents liquids leaking out of the tiramisu.
The longer that the tiramisu is allowed to sit, the better the flavors will infuse. Freezing gives time for the coffee and liqueur to infuse into the ladyfingers. This will lead the tiramisu to reach a deeper and more intense flavor.
Do not freeze tiramisu that has been topped with either cocoa powder or nuts. This is because when thawed, these can turn soggy and ruin your tiramisu. IT is a better idea to put these finishing touches on when the tiramisu is completely thawed and you are ready to serve.
Store bought tiramisu is likely to hold up better to freezing and thawing due to the preservatives contained in it. They may also have a more consistent texture for the same reason.
We do not advise refreezing thawed tiramisu due to bacterial growth.
Summary
Tiramisu is a deliciously decadent dessert, perfect for a dinner party. The dessert is named after the Italian to cheer me up, and tiramisu never fails to bring a smile to our faces.
While not the most well suited to freezing, tiramisu can be frozen for up to 3 months if stored correctly. It is vital to ensure you wrap the tiramisu tightly in a triple layer of wrappings to protect it properly.
Over time, the flavor of the tiramisu may even improve as the flavors have time to infuse more. Armed with our tips, we hope that you now feel confident in freezing tiramisu.
Caroline Stevens
Hi there! My name is Caroline Stevens, and I am an American mom of three wonderful children. I started this blog to help everyday families be more sustainable and save money by preventing food waste. I currently live in Wisconsin, and enjoy crafting, cooking at home, and traveling. I have a degree in art and previously worked in the restaurant business.