Matcha tiramisu for two.
Matcha tiramisu — or “matcha-misu” — is a light, no-bake dessert that combines the creamy richness of mascarpone with the vivid, grassy flavor of matcha green tea. This small-batch recipe is designed for two people and is perfect for when you want an elegant treat without a lot of fuss. It leans into the sweet, floral notes of honey to balance the bitterness of the matcha and uses crisp ladyfingers for a pleasing textural contrast.
I developed this idea after sipping a matcha latte and thinking the honeyed matcha flavor deserved a dessert version. If you’ve ever enjoyed a matcha latte, you’ll recognize the pairing of honey with matcha — it’s a natural match. The recipe is simple, approachable, and comes together quickly. It’s a layered dessert made by stirring a few ingredients, dunking ladyfingers in a honey syrup, and arranging everything in serving glasses. No custard, no eggs, no alcohol — just creamy mascarpone, fragrant matcha, and honey-dipped cookies layered for maximum flavor.
For those new to matcha, start with a lighter dose of green tea powder and increase to taste. I prefer this dessert with a pronounced matcha flavor, but you can reduce the powder if you prefer something subtler. Because matcha contains concentrated caffeine, keep in mind that a serving of this tiramisu can be more stimulating than a single cup of matcha tea. If you are sensitive to caffeine, use a smaller amount of matcha or serve a smaller portion.
This recipe is built for simplicity: soften the mascarpone, whisk matcha into hot water until smooth, fold the matcha into the cheese mixture, make a honey syrup, quickly dunk ladyfingers, and layer everything in glasses. Chill the assembled desserts for at least an hour so the flavors meld and the ladyfingers soften slightly. The result is a refined, two-serving dessert that looks impressive but takes minimal active effort.
Matcha Tiramisu
A fresh take on tiramisu, using matcha and honey to create a bright, delicate dessert for two.
15 minutes
15 minutes (plus chilling time)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons matcha powder (start with 1 tsp if you’re new to matcha)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 8 crisp ladyfingers
Instructions
- Prepare two 8-ounce serving glasses and have all ingredients at hand.
- In a small bowl, stir together the softened mascarpone and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Bring 1/4 cup of water almost to a boil. Add the matcha powder gradually and whisk very well to prevent lumps; the matcha should be completely dissolved and smooth.
- Stir the whisked matcha into the mascarpone mixture until fully combined and evenly colored.
- In a separate small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the honey until it dissolves to create a quick honey syrup. Pour the syrup into a shallow bowl for dunking the ladyfingers.
- Slice each ladyfinger in half lengthwise so they fit neatly in the glasses.
- Quickly dunk each ladyfinger half into the honey syrup for just a second or two — you want them moist but not soggy. Arrange a ring of dipped ladyfinger halves along the edges of each glass.
- Spoon one-quarter of the matcha-mascarpone mixture into each glass, spreading gently to create the first creamy layer.
- Add another layer of two dipped ladyfinger halves on top of the mascarpone layer in each glass.
- Top with another one-quarter of the mascarpone mixture, smoothing gently.
- Finish with a final (third) layer of ladyfinger halves, then add a small scoop of mascarpone to smooth the surface of each dessert.
- Dust the tops lightly with a pinch of matcha powder for extra color and flavor, if desired.
- Cover and refrigerate the assembled tiramisus for at least one hour before serving to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 2 servings — Serving Size: 1
Amount per serving (approximate): Calories: 1217; Total Fat: 91g; Saturated Fat: 35g; Trans Fat: 1g; Unsaturated Fat: 46g; Cholesterol: 167mg; Sodium: 1092mg; Carbohydrates: 95g; Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 31g; Protein: 13g.
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on specific ingredient brands and portion sizes.
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