Easy Raspberry Tiramisu (No-Bake) — A Fresh Favorite for Lady Finger Desserts

If you love lady finger desserts but want something bright, creamy, and easy enough for any day, this easy Raspberry Tiramisu is the dessert to save. It has the soft, layered texture people expect from tiramisu, but with fresh raspberries and a sweet-tart swirl that feels lighter than the classic coffee version.

This is also one of the best “make-ahead” desserts. You can prep it at night, let it chill, and serve it the next day with almost no effort. That’s why it works so well for birthdays, parties, or a quick homemade dessert bar.

You’ll get the full method, plus extra value: foolproof texture tips, easy swaps, and quick answers to common questions so your layers come out perfect the first time.

Why This Easy Raspberry Tiramisu Works

This dessert is built around two things: creamy mascarpone filling and the sponge-like texture of lady fingers. Raspberries bring freshness and cut through the richness so it never feels too heavy.

Reasons you’ll keep coming back to it:

• No baking
• Simple ingredients
• Pretty layers that look “fancy” without extra work
• Great for birthdays and events
• Easy to scale up or down

If you’ve ever made tiramisu and ended up with soggy layers or runny cream, don’t worry. The tips below fix that.

What Makes Lady Fingers So Important in Lady Finger Desserts

Lady fingers are not just cookies. They are the structure of the dessert. They’re made to absorb moisture while staying light.

In lady finger desserts, they do three jobs:

1. Hold the layers so the dessert slices cleanly
2. Soak up flavor (raspberry and vanilla here)
3. Create a soft bite without turning to mush

The key is controlled moisture. You want them soft, not wet.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you need for the classic raspberry version:

• Lady fingers
• Mascarpone cheese (full-fat is best)
• Heavy cream (for a light, fluffy filling)
• Sugar (adjust to taste)
• Vanilla extract
• Fresh raspberries
• Raspberry jam (this boosts flavor and helps the layers stay even)

Optional but amazing:

• Lemon zest (makes the raspberry taste brighter)
• White chocolate shavings (for a dessert-bar finish)

Step-by-Step: Easy Raspberry Tiramisu (No Bake)

Step 1: Make the mascarpone cream

1. In a bowl, whip heavy cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
2. Add mascarpone and fold gently until smooth.

Important: Don’t overmix. Overmixing can make it grainy or runny.

Step 2: Make the raspberry layer

1. Mash some raspberries lightly with a fork.
2. Stir in raspberry jam until it becomes a thick, spreadable swirl.

You want a mixture that’s spoonable, not watery.

Step 3: Build the layers

1. Place a layer of lady fingers in your dish (or use cups for single servings).
2. Spread a layer of mascarpone cream.
3. Add raspberry swirl.
4. Repeat layers until your dish is full.
5. Finish with mascarpone cream on top and a few fresh raspberries.

Step 4: Chill

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Overnight is even better. Chilling helps the lady fingers soften perfectly and makes the dessert slice cleanly.

Pro Tips (This Is What Makes It “Perfect”)

These tips are what separate “good” tiramisu from “wow” tiramisu.

Keep lady fingers from getting soggy

• Don’t soak them like a sponge.
• Instead, lightly brush the tops with a little raspberry juice (or a thin jam + water mix).

Make the cream stable (no runny layers)

• Use cold heavy cream.
• Chill your mixing bowl if your kitchen is warm.
• Fold mascarpone gently—don’t beat it hard.

Make raspberry flavor strong (not weak)

Fresh raspberries are great, but they can be mild. The jam gives that bold raspberry taste people expect.

Want cleaner slices?

Use a rectangular dish and chill overnight. Cut with a sharp knife wiped clean between slices.

Easy Variations (So You Can Make It Your Own)

Once you master the base, you can switch it up in simple ways:

Raspberry Mascarpone Dessert Cups

Perfect for parties. Layer everything in clear cups. It looks pretty and there’s no slicing needed.

Raspberry Mascarpone Cake Style

Make layers in a springform pan so it looks like a cake when released. Great for birthdays.

Add a little crunch

Top with crushed freeze-dried raspberries or cookie crumbs right before serving.

Make it extra fresh

Add lemon zest to the cream or a tiny squeeze of lemon to the raspberry layer.

Serving Ideas for a Homemade Dessert Bar

If you want this to feel like a “best birthday desserts ever” moment, set up a small topping station:

• Fresh raspberries
• White chocolate curls
• Powdered sugar
• Extra raspberry jam for drizzling
• Crushed cookies for crunch

This works especially well if you serve tiramisu in cups.

FAQs (Quick Answers That Actually Help)

Can I make this the day before?
Yes. It’s even better after chilling overnight.

Can I use frozen raspberries?
Yes, but thaw and drain them well so they don’t water down the layers.

Do I need eggs?
No. This version is egg-free and still creamy.

What if I can’t find mascarpone?
Use full-fat cream cheese as a substitute. The flavor will be slightly tangier, but it still works.

How long does it last in the fridge?
Usually 2–3 days, covered well.

Final Thoughts

This easy Raspberry Tiramisu is one of the simplest, prettiest lady finger desserts you can make. It’s no-bake, beginner-friendly, and tastes like something you’d order at a bakery.

If you want the full printable recipe, extra variations, and more dessert-bar ideas, click through and explore the recipes on the site. Save this for later—you’ll be glad you did.

If you’re building a dessert collection, these two posts pair perfectly with this raspberry tiramisu:

• For another crowd-pleasing dessert idea: Starbucks Cake
• For a quick raspberry treat that uses jam beautifully: Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies.