Effortless Elegance: Quick Eggnog Peach Tiramisu

Imagine a decadent dessert that comes together in just ten minutes of active preparation time. This simple, quick tiramisu, featuring rich Dutch eggnog (advocaat) and tender peaches, is the epitome of an ideal holiday dessert. Its speed and ease make it a stress-free addition to any festive menu, allowing you more time to enjoy with loved ones.

This recipe is perfectly suited for adults, as traditional eggnog contains alcohol, lending a sophisticated warmth to the dessert. However, if children or pregnant women will be enjoying dessert, it’s incredibly simple to adapt! Just omit the eggnog entirely and sprinkle a little extra peach syrup over the cookie layers for an equally delicious, non-alcoholic version. The result will still be wonderfully flavorful and creamy, ensuring everyone can partake in this holiday delight.

Peaches: A Sweet Holiday Surprise

When crafting this delicious tiramisu with Dutch eggnog, you might be surprised to learn that I opt for canned peaches. The simple, practical reason is that peaches are not typically in season during the major holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas in many regions. Fresh, ripe peaches are often unavailable or prohibitively expensive at these times. But don’t let that deter you! Canned peaches are not only readily available year-round but are also incredibly delicious and convenient for this recipe.

Furthermore, using canned peaches comes with an added advantage: the flavorful syrup they are packed in. This syrup is a secret weapon, used to moisten and infuse the cookies with an extra layer of sweet peach essence, enhancing the overall taste of the tiramisu.

For the cookie component, I specifically choose macaroons. These delightful almond-based cookies are perfect because their porous texture allows them to absorb the peach syrup beautifully without becoming soggy. More importantly, the subtle nutty flavor of almonds in macaroons creates an exquisite pairing with the sweet and fruity peaches, resulting in a truly harmonious flavor profile that elevates this dessert beyond the ordinary.

Essential Ingredients for Your Eggnog Peach Tiramisu

To embark on creating this delightful dessert, gather the following key ingredients. You’ll find the precise measurements detailed in the convenient recipe card located at the very bottom of this blog post.

• Macaroons: Once upon a time, I preferred Frangipane cakes for this recipe, but they’ve become increasingly difficult to source. Thankfully, macaroons are a fantastic, widely available alternative! Their delicate almond flavor is a natural partner to peaches, and their ability to perfectly absorb the peach syrup without turning mushy makes them an ideal choice for the structural integrity and taste of our tiramisu layers.
• Cream, Ricotta, and Honey: This trio forms the heart of our creamy tiramisu layer. My choice of ricotta over traditional mascarpone is deliberate; it yields a beautifully rich and flavorful cream that’s noticeably lighter in texture and lower in calories, making this dessert less heavy and more enjoyable after a big holiday meal. The honey adds a subtle, natural sweetness that complements the fruit and eggnog without being cloying. If you’re a staunch traditionalist, feel free to substitute the ricotta with 1 cup of mascarpone for a denser, classic tiramisu experience.
• Peaches: As discussed, canned peaches are our go-to for this holiday recipe. They offer consistent sweetness and texture, regardless of the season. Once diced into small cubes, these peaches provide bursts of sweet and fresh flavor throughout the dessert. Crucially, the accompanying syrup is saved and used to moisten and flavor the macaroons, creating a cohesive taste experience.
• Eggnog: This festive liqueur is the soul of our holiday tiramisu, infusing it with unparalleled warmth and a creamy, comforting spice. Dutch eggnog, known as ‘advocaat’, is my personal preference for its unique thick consistency and rich flavor, but any good quality eggnog readily available in your region will work beautifully. Its creamy texture and distinctive taste create a wonderful synergy with both the almond macaroons and the sweet peaches. A vital reminder: eggnog contains alcohol. Therefore, for children or pregnant guests, please ensure to omit the eggnog entirely and compensate with an extra spoonful of peach syrup or a splash of non-alcoholic vanilla syrup to maintain moisture and flavor.

Crafting Your Eggnog Peach Tiramisu: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this stunning dessert is incredibly straightforward. Below, you’ll find a concise breakdown of the steps. For a comprehensive recipe with precise ingredient amounts and an easy-to-print format, please refer to the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Step 1 – Prepare the Peaches

Begin by carefully draining the canned peaches, reserving all of the delicious syrup in a separate bowl – you’ll need this liquid gold later! Take the peach halves or slices and dice them into uniform, small cubes, roughly ¼ x ¼ inches (½ x ½ cm). These bite-sized pieces will ensure an even distribution of fruity flavor in every spoonful of your tiramisu.

Step 2 – Create the Ricotta Honey Cream

1. Ensure your cream is very cold; this is key to achieving optimal stiffness when whisking. Pour the cold cream into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the sweet, fragrant honey to the cream in the bowl.
3. Gently spoon in the ricotta cheese, ensuring all ingredients are ready for mixing.
4. Using an electric whisk or a hand mixer, beat the mixture for approximately two minutes, or until the cream mixture achieves a luxurious, thick consistency, similar to that of Greek yogurt. This will be the wonderfully light and creamy foundation of your tiramisu.

Step 3 – Assemble the First Layers

Now comes the fun part: layering your individual tiramisu glasses! For each serving, follow these steps:

1. Start by crumbling a macaroon (approximately 1 to 1.5 cookies per glass, depending on size) evenly at the bottom of your chosen dessert glass.
2. Drizzle one tablespoon of the reserved peach syrup over the crumbled macaroons. This will soften them beautifully and infuse them with fruity flavor.
3. Next, add a generous layer of your diced peach cubes, followed by one tablespoon of eggnog (if using).
4. Crown these layers with three generous tablespoons of your freshly prepared ricotta honey cream, spreading it evenly to create a smooth, inviting base for the next layer.

Step 4 – Construct the Second Layer & Garnish

Repeat the layering process to build an equally delightful second tier:

1. Crumble another macaroon on top of the ricotta cream layer. Gently sprinkle another tablespoon of peach syrup over these cookies to soften them.
2. Evenly distribute the remaining peach cubes over the cookie layer.
3. Spoon a final tablespoon of eggnog over the peaches.
4. Finally, cover everything with the remaining ricotta cream, creating a smooth, elegant top. For a classic finish, dust with a light layer of cocoa powder. If preparing for Easter, a charming chocolate Easter egg makes for a festive decoration.

Once assembled, store your tiramisu in the refrigerator for at least a few hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to fully meld and the layers to set perfectly. This chilling time is crucial for the best taste and texture.

Tips for Tiramisu Success

• Chill Time is Key: While this tiramisu is quick to assemble, the chilling time is non-negotiable. Allowing it to chill for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, ensures the flavors meld beautifully and the layers set properly, giving you that perfect tiramisu texture.
• Non-Alcoholic Version: As mentioned, for a family-friendly version, simply omit the eggnog. You can substitute the missing liquid with extra peach syrup, a splash of milk, or a non-alcoholic vanilla extract mixed into a little milk to moisten the cookies.
• Garnish Just Before Serving: To keep your cocoa dusting and chocolate decorations looking fresh and vibrant, add them just before you plan to serve the tiramisu.
• Presentation Matters: Serving this tiramisu in individual glasses or clear bowls allows guests to admire its beautiful layers. You can also make it in a large trifle dish for a more communal serving style.

Serving Suggestions

This Eggnog Peach Tiramisu is a showstopper on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few accompaniments:

• Coffee: A classic pairing for tiramisu, a hot cup of espresso or a creamy latte complements the sweetness and richness.
• Tea: For a lighter option, a fragrant black tea or even a spiced herbal tea can be a lovely match.
• Holiday Beverages: Serve it alongside a festive mulled wine, a non-alcoholic spiced cider, or even a glass of sparkling wine to elevate the celebration.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Andréa

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