Mini Cherry Tiramisu Pots is a dessert that combines the sweet red gems of Italy with the most celebrated and reinterpreted Italian dessert. This recipe is decadent and luxurious –quick to make but with a result that impresses!

Mini Cherry Tiramisu Pots is a dessert that is ideal for the warmer seasons, as it does not require cooking and you serve it cold. It is made by alternating a layer of ladyfinger cookies, called “savoiardi” in Italian, with whipped mascarpone and cherries. The ladyfingers are dipped in a mixture of pomegranate juice and rum, so they absorb the mellow liquor taste and they become softer to the bite. The pomegranate juice gives them a nice pinkish color ( I used the pomegranate as in Dubai is widely available). The mascarpone provides the creaminess, while the cherries give a zing of freshness to the dessert.

I must confess that this recipe has a special place in my heart! In fact, it combines tiramisu, a traditional dessert from my home region of Veneto, with the cherries of Marostica, a town where I spent cherished moments during my childhood.

Italian Cherries between territory and traditions

Cherries grow in various parts of Italy, and Veneto produces one of the best varieties. Marostica, a cute town in Veneto, is very famous for its cherries, which have a color varying from pink to red, and are very juicy and sweet. Marostica is also renowned for its main chess square. Every other year, in this square, there is a live chess match in September with live human pieces in ancient medieval customs.

Tradition tells that the harvest of cherries in Marostica and the chess match are very closely connected. In fact, the daughter of the noble family that was ruling Marostica had two suitors, and to avoid a bloody fight, they decided instead to have a chess match in the main square. The winner was awarded her hand in marriage, and the wedding was celebrated with the planting of new cherry trees in the surrounding hills.

Another town with an excellent quality of cherries is Vignola, in the region of Emilia-Romagna. The Vignola cherries have a firm pulp and a color that ranges from whitish-pink to red.

From Bologna and Modena, also in Emilia-Romagna, you will find Amarena cherries. They are small, sour and dark red, and usually, you can eat them in the form of preserves or in ice cream. I never miss eating an Amarena ice cream when I am back home.

Cherry Tiramisu in Pots served on a tray

What is Tiramisu

Tiramisu, as mentioned earlier, is a traditional dessert from Veneto, and its name means “cheer me up”… Well, it is indeed a luscious and comforting dessert. It is a guilty pleasure that will contribute to putting a smile on your face.

The traditional tiramisu recipe was born in Treviso in the 1960s. It consists of ladyfinger biscuits dipped in coffee and liquor, which are alternated with a layer of cream made from mascarpone, egg, and sugar, and then finally dusted with dark chocolate powder on top.

There are several variations of tiramisu. The most popular one is tiramisu with strawberries and is similar to the classic French dessert strawberry charlotte.

How to make Mini Cherry Tiramisu Pots

The preparation of these cute Mini Cherry Tiramisu Pots is quick, easy and requires very little effort. You start by breaking each ladyfinger into 3 pieces.

You then dip the ladyfinger pieces in a mixture of pomegranate and rum and layer the bottom of the pots. Only dip the ladyfinger pieces for a few seconds, to avoid them becoming too wet. This will prevent them from being soggy when served.

Next, you whip the mascarpone with sugar and layer the mixture on top of the ladyfingers, then add some cherry pieces. Now add another layer of ladyfingers and then mascarpone whip

Finally, top the pot with more cherry pieces. Keep the pots in the refrigerator until you serve them.