Guilt-Free Jarred Tiramisu

Craving a rich, coffee-infused dessert without the carb overload? Look no further! This delightful Low Carb Tiramisu in a Jar offers all the classic flavors of Italy’s beloved tiramisu, reimagined into a convenient, keto-friendly, single-serving treat. Perfect for sophisticated dinner parties, casual gatherings, or simply as a well-deserved personal indulgence, this dessert promises an unforgettable experience that won’t derail your healthy eating goals.

Imagine serving beautifully layered individual desserts that impress every guest, or keeping a few stashed in your refrigerator for when a sweet, guilt-free craving strikes. This recipe makes it all possible, combining elegance with the simplicity of jarred desserts.

What is Tiramisu? A Classic Italian Masterpiece Reimagined

Tiramisu, meaning “pick me up” or “cheer me up” in Italian, is a world-renowned dessert celebrated for its irresistible combination of coffee, cocoa, and creamy goodness. Traditionally, it features delicate ladyfingers soaked in espresso, layered with a rich, sweetened mascarpone cheese mixture, and dusted with cocoa powder. The result is a symphony of textures and flavors that has captivated dessert lovers for generations.

While the classic version is undeniably delicious, it often comes with a significant carb and sugar count, making it off-limits for those following a low-carb or keto lifestyle. This recipe bridges that gap, offering an authentic tiramisu experience tailored to your dietary needs. Our sugar-free, single-serving approach means you can enjoy this decadent treat without the worry of over-indulgence, making it a perfect solution for mindful eaters.

Crafting the Perfect Low Carb Tiramisu: Our Keto-Friendly Twist

Creating a low-carb version of a classic like tiramisu requires thoughtful substitutions without compromising flavor or texture. This recipe expertly replaces traditional high-carb components with keto-approved alternatives, ensuring every spoonful is as satisfying as the original, but without the added sugars or grains.

The Foundational Layers of Our Keto Tiramisu

Just like its traditional counterpart, our keto-friendly tiramisu is built upon three delightful layers:

• Keto Coffee Cake Base: Instead of traditional ladyfingers, we use a light and airy almond flour cake infused with espresso powder. This clever swap ensures a stable, flavorful base that mimics the coffee-soaked biscuit, but without the high carbohydrate content.
• Rich & Sugar-Free Mascarpone Cream: The heart of any tiramisu is its creamy layer. Ours features a luxurious, sugar-free sweet cream made with authentic mascarpone cheese, whipped heavy cream, and a low-carb sweetener. It’s velvety smooth and incredibly decadent.
• Dusting of Pure Cocoa: A final flourish of unsweetened cocoa powder adds that characteristic bittersweet note and elegant finish, completing the tiramisu experience.

This ingenious combination means you get all the complex, coffee-infused richness and creamy texture of a traditional Italian dessert, completely carb-conscious. It’s a testament to how flavorful and satisfying a keto diet can be!

The Charm of Tiramisu in a Jar: Convenience Meets Elegance

Serving desserts in jars has become a beloved trend, and for good reason. This “tiramisu in a jar” concept takes an already fantastic dessert and elevates it with several practical and aesthetic advantages:

• Perfect Portions: Each jar holds a perfectly measured serving, making portion control effortless. This is especially beneficial when sticking to a low-carb diet, preventing accidental over-indulgence.
• Stunning Presentation: Individual desserts presented in charming jars create an elegant and inviting display on any dessert table. They’re visually appealing and add a touch of sophistication to special occasions, from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations. Guests can easily grab their own, fresh dessert.
• Effortless Portability: Jars are incredibly practical for transportation. Whether you’re bringing dessert to a potluck, a picnic, or simply enjoying it on the go, a sealed jar keeps your tiramisu fresh and intact.
• Superior Storage & Make-Ahead Potential: One of the biggest advantages is how easily these desserts can be stored. With a tight-fitting lid, your tiramisu jars can be kept airtight in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This makes them ideal for meal prepping or preparing ahead of a busy event. However, be mindful that prolonged storage might lead to the cake softening significantly from soaking up too much cream.

The versatility of this jarred dessert makes it a go-to recipe for any occasion where you want to serve something special yet simple. You can find beautiful, suitable jars online, like these dessert jars, to elevate your presentation.

Homemade Tiramisu: Easy Prep for a Gourmet Experience

Don’t let the gourmet appearance of tiramisu intimidate you; this homemade keto version is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility for advance preparation. You can bake the almond flour cakes and prepare the mascarpone cream separately, storing them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the layers in your individual jars. This makes it a fantastic option for busy hosts or anyone looking to enjoy a stress-free dessert experience.

Essential Ingredients for Your Low Carb Tiramisu

Success in low-carb baking often comes down to understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why it works:

For the Almond Flour Cake:

• Almond Flour: The cornerstone of keto baking, providing a gluten-free, low-carb base with a delicate texture.
• Unflavored Whey Protein: Helps with structure and gives the cake a better rise, preventing it from being too dense.
• Instant Espresso Granules: Infused directly into the batter for that quintessential coffee flavor without making the cake soggy.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for a light, fluffy cake.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
• Unsalted Butter (room temperature): For richness and a tender crumb.
• Golden Monkfruit Sweetener: A fantastic sugar substitute that measures cup-for-cup like sugar, offering a golden hue and caramel-like notes without the carbs.
• Eggs: Binders that provide structure and moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: A universal flavor enhancer, complementing the coffee beautifully.
• Plain Greek Yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tang, contributing to a tender cake.

For the Espresso Soak and Mascarpone Cream:

• Hot Water & Instant Espresso Granules: Creates a potent coffee soak for extra flavor.
• Mascarpone Cheese (room temperature): The star of the cream layer, providing unparalleled richness and a silky texture.
• Powdered Erythritol Sweetener: A zero-carb sweetener with a fine texture, ideal for creams as it dissolves smoothly and avoids a gritty mouthfeel.
• Vanilla Extract: Balances the coffee and cheese flavors.
• Heavy Cream: Whipped to create a light and airy cream, folding perfectly with the mascarpone.

For the Topping:

• Muffin Tops (crumbled): Reusing the cake tops is an ingenious way to add texture and flavor to the topping, mimicking the crumbled biscuit layer found in some tiramisu variations.
• Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder provides the classic bittersweet finish.

Using muffin tins for the cake portion simplifies the process, making it easy to create individual cake rounds that fit perfectly into your jars. You can easily find suitable muffin tins like these non-stick muffin pans to ensure your cakes bake perfectly.

Step-by-Step: How to Create Your Homemade Low Carb Tiramisu

Making this low-carb tiramisu is a delightful culinary journey. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a perfect result every time.

Preparing the Low-Carb Coffee Cake

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease or spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray, preparing it for your almond flour cakes.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients for the cake: almond flour, unflavored whey protein, instant espresso granules, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure they are well combined, then set this mixture aside.
3. In a separate, larger mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, golden monkfruit sweetener, and any additional granulated sweetener you might be using. Beat these until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy, which typically takes about 5 to 6 minutes. This step is crucial for incorporating air and creating a tender cake texture.
4. Gradually add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and plain Greek yogurt until everything is just combined. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
5. Gently fold the reserved dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir just until the ingredients are moistened and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.
6. Divide the cake batter evenly among the wells of your prepared muffin tin, filling each about three-quarters full.
7. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are beautifully golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean. This indicates they are fully cooked.
8. Once baked, allow the cakes to cool completely in the muffin pan on a wire rack. This prevents them from sticking and ensures they firm up. Once cool, carefully remove them. To create a flat base for your tiramisu layers, gently slice the very tops off each muffin. Be sure to reserve these delicious tops – they will be crumbled and used for your final cocoa topping!

Whipping Up the Dreamy Mascarpone Cream

9. Prepare your coffee soak: In a small bowl, stir together the hot water and the remaining instant espresso granules until the espresso is fully dissolved. Let it cool slightly.
10. In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened mascarpone cheese with the powdered erythritol sweetener and vanilla extract. Add 2 tablespoons of the prepared coffee soak to this mixture and beat until smooth and creamy.
11. In a separate, chilled bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. This means the cream will hold its shape when the beater is lifted.
12. Gently fold the whipped heavy cream into the mascarpone mixture until just combined. Be careful not to deflate the air from the cream; this creates a light and airy texture.

Assembling Your Tiramisu Jars

13. Now for the fun part: assembly! Place one cooled, flattened almond flour cake into the bottom of each of your six serving jars. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the remaining coffee soak evenly over each cake, allowing it to absorb.
14. Next, pipe or spoon a generous layer of the luscious mascarpone cream over the cake in each jar.
15. Carefully place a second cake round on top of the cream layer. Then, add another scoop of mascarpone cream, creating the signature layered look.

16. Prepare the topping: Crumble the reserved muffin tops into small pieces. In a small bowl, gently stir these crumbles together with the unsweetened cocoa powder.
17. Evenly sprinkle this delicious cocoa-muffin crumble mixture over the top layer of cream in each jar.
18. For the best flavor and texture, refrigerate your tiramisu jars overnight. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the dessert to set perfectly.

Tips for Tiramisu Perfection

Even though this recipe is designed to be easy, a few tips can elevate your low-carb tiramisu from great to absolutely extraordinary.

Mascarpone Alternatives

Authentic mascarpone cheese offers a unique richness, but if you can’t find it or prefer an alternative, you can create a suitable substitute. A 50:50 mixture of full-fat whipping cream and cream cheese (both at room temperature) can be beaten together until smooth and creamy. This will provide a similar tang and richness, though the texture might be slightly different.

Flavor Enhancements & Topping Ideas

While classic tiramisu is perfect as is, you can personalize your jarred desserts! Consider adding:

• Fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries between layers for a fruity burst.
• A sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans) for added crunch.
• A touch of rum extract or sugar-free coffee liqueur to the coffee soak for an adult twist.

Make-Ahead and Storage Guidance

As mentioned, these jars are perfect for making ahead. Store them with tight lids in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Beyond this, the cake layers may become overly saturated and soft. We do not recommend freezing assembled tiramisu, as the cream can separate upon thawing. However, you can freeze the baked almond flour cakes by themselves for up to a month, then thaw and assemble when ready.

Why Choose This Keto Tiramisu Recipe?

This low-carb tiramisu isn’t just a dessert; it’s a testament to the joy of healthy eating without compromise. It’s perfect for coffee lovers, keto enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a delicious, sugar-free indulgence. Each serving is carefully crafted to be low in net carbs (approximately 5 net carbs per serving) while delivering a truly satisfying and rich flavor profile.

If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy mascarpone, be sure to pick up extra when you’re at the store! You can use it to make a delightful red, white, and blue mascarpone mousse for another amazing low-carb treat.

Ready to try this incredible low-carb dessert? This recipe will quickly become a favorite in your healthy dessert repertoire!

Low Carb Tiramisu In A Jar Recipe Card

Here’s the detailed recipe card to guide you in creating this fantastic low-carb tiramisu in a jar. All exact measurements and step-by-step instructions are provided below for your convenience.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

Almond Flour Cake

• 2 cups Almond Flour
• 3 tbsp Unflavored Whey Protein
• 1 tsp Instant Espresso Granules
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup Golden Monkfruit Sweetener
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt

Soak And Cream

• 1 cup Hot Water
• 1 tbsp Instant Espresso Granules
• 8 ounces Mascarpone Cheese, room temperature
• 1/3 cup Powdered Erythritol Sweetener
• 1/3 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/3 cup Heavy Cream

Topping

• 1/2 cup Muffin Tops, crumbled (from the baked cakes)
• 2 tsp Cocoa Powder, unsweetened

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 C). Prepare a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Whisk together the dry ingredients for the cake: almond flour, whey protein, instant espresso, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, golden sweetener, and granulated sweetener until creamy, about 5 to 6 minutes.
4. To the butter mixture, add the eggs, vanilla, and Greek yogurt. Blend until just combined.
5. Add the dry ingredients and stir just until mixed.
6. Divide the batter between the wells of the muffin tin, filling them about 3⁄4 full.
7. Bake the cakes for 18 to 20 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center returns clean.
8. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the muffin pan before removing them. Slice the tops off the muffins to create a flat top but reserve the tops for the final topping.
9. Stir together the hot water and instant espresso. Let cool slightly.
10. In a mixing bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese, erythritol sweetener, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of the cooled coffee soak until smooth.
11. In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the heavy cream into the mascarpone mixture.
12. Place one cake into each of six jars. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the remaining coffee soak over each cake.
13. Place a generous layer of the mascarpone cream over the cake. Top with an additional cake and then another scoop of the mascarpone cream.
14. Stir together the crumbled cake tops with the cocoa powder. Sprinkle this mixture over the top layer of cream in the jars.
15. Refrigerate your tiramisu jars overnight for best results.

More Decadent Low Carb Dessert Ideas

If you’ve fallen in love with this low-carb tiramisu recipe, you’re in luck! There are plenty more amazing low-carb dessert ideas waiting for you to try. Expand your keto dessert repertoire with these other irresistible treats:

• No-Bake Keto Chocolate Mousse: A light, airy, and rich chocolate treat that requires no oven.
• Easy Keto Mug Cheesecake: Perfect for a quick, single-serving cheesecake craving.
• Easy Keto Peanut Butter Fudge: A dense, satisfying fudge that’s surprisingly simple to make.
• Looking for another rich, satisfying dessert? Don’t miss my Instant Pot chocolate cheesecake. It is so rich and creamy, perfect for any occasion!
• Or, if you prefer not to bake at all, try my no-bake peanut butter mousse for a quick and easy option.

Enjoy exploring these delicious low-carb options, and let this keto tiramisu in a jar be just the beginning of your sugar-free dessert adventure!

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