Mandarin Tiramisu – 3 simple recipe ideas for an even sweeter celebration!

Fresh tangerines… wow, seasonal favourites! So delicious and so fragrant with Christmas. The small, orange fruits tempt us every year and we just can’t get enough of them. In addition, tangerines are real vitamin bombs and have a very positive effect on our immune system. How about preparing a super delicious Christmas dessert with it? Today we have 3 super quick and easy recipes for tangerine tiramisu ready for you. Have fun and a great Christmas treat!

A delicious tiramisu in a glass with tangerines and mascarpone

How to recognize the really good tangerines in the supermarket!

• A ripe tangerine or clementine should be firm but not too hard. Fresh fruits always have a good citrus scent. If you rub the peel with your fingers, you should get some citrus oil. Unless the fruit is waxed, which should not be the case, especially with organic mandarins. Usually the smell is the best guide for the taste.
• The shell should feel a little loose. If this is too tight, the fruit is either not ripe or will dry out quickly.
• But the fruit must not be mushy or have soft spots. This speaks to general spoilage or damage.
• Note that most of the weight of a citrus fruit is water, so a dried fruit will feel a lot lighter than a good one. Dried tangerines also tend to “rattle” a bit when you move them, so make sure there aren’t any hollows or indentations under the skin.
• Always give preference to organic tangerines, which should be much healthier than conventional ones.

Fresh tangerines are full of vitamins

Once you have found really fresh, fragrant mandarins, nothing stands in the way of your mandarine tiramisu. So, let’s go!

#1 Recipe: Mandarin Orange Caramel Tiramisu

The ingredients:

• 8 tangerines or small oranges
• 300 grams of sugar
• 750 ml cream
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• grated zest of 1 organic lemon
• 450 g mascarpone cheese
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 3 packages (each 150 g) ladyfingers
• Fresh mint leaves, optional

The preparation:

• In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup (250g) sugar and 1/4 cup (60mL) water. Let simmer on medium heat. Stir slowly until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat and continue cooking, without stirring, until the syrup turns a deep caramel color. Remove from heat and gently pour in 3/4 cup (180ml) of the heavy cream, then half the vanilla extract, while whisking. Whisk until everything is well mixed. Let the caramel sauce cool down.
• Grate tangerines to yield 1-1/2 tsp grated zest, set aside. Squeeze the juice out of 3 tangerines and leave them aside as well. Cut the peel and white pith from the remaining mandarins. Remove the thin skin from the flesh (tangerine segments) and set aside.
• Add 1 cup (250ml) of the caramel sauce, tangerine zest and lemon zest to the mascarpone cheese. In a chilled bowl, whip the remaining heavy cream into soft peaks. Stir in remaining sugar, vanilla extract, and cornstarch until stiff peaks form.
• Layer half of the ladyfingers in a clear glass bowl or serving bowl. Drizzle with half of the juice and spread with half of the mascarpone mixture. Spread a third of the tangerine pieces on top and spread with half of the whipped cream.

Take your time when layering

• Repeat layers ending with whipped cream. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 1 day. Cover the remaining caramel sauce and tangerine segments separately and refrigerate.
• Just before serving, arrange the tangerine segments decoratively on the tiramisu and drizzle with caramel sauce. Garnish with fresh mint and enjoy!

Tip: You can also decorate your tangerine tiramisu for Christmas and sprinkle the last layer with some cocoa powder. Use paper stencils in the shape of stars to create a special WOW effect!

#2 Recipe: Lemon-flavoured tangerine tiramisu in a glass jar

The ingredients:

• 2 tangerines, peeled and juiced
• 1 tbsp powdered sugar
• 6 tangerines, extra, segmented
• 250g mascarpone
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) lemon custard, store bought
• 6 large ladyfingers, roughly chopped

The preparation:

• Combine the tangerine juice, tangerine zest, and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Add tangerine segments. Set aside to soak for 5 minutes.
• Strain the tangerine mixture, reserving the liquid. Mix the mascarpone and 2 tablespoons lemon pudding in a bowl.
• Dip half of the ladyfingers in the liquid to coat them lightly. Divide biscuits among serving glasses. Cover with a third of the mascarpone mixture. Repeat with the remaining biscuits and liquid.
• Top with the remaining lemon pudding, half the remaining mascarpone mixture and half the tangerines. Repeat with the remaining mascarpone mixture and the tangerines.
• Before serving, chill the tiramisu glasses for at least 10 minutes.

#3 Recipe: Vegan tangerine tiramisu in a glass

The ingredients:

• 300 g vegan biscuits from the health food store
• 2 tangerines
• 100 ml strong coffee
• A few drops of natural vanilla extract
• For the white cream:
• Aquafaba from 1 can of organic chickpeas
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 50 g coconut blossom sugar
• A few drops of natural vanilla extract
• 175 g coconut yoghurt
• raw cocoa powder for sprinkling
• fresh mint leaves for garnish

The preparation:

Slice tangerines. Crumble the biscuits and pour the coffee over them. Add vanilla extract and mix well. Whip the aquafaba until stiff peaks form. Add sugar, maple and vanilla. Beat another minute. Now add the coconut yoghurt. Stir gently into the mixture. Layer the biscuit mixture, tangerine slices and white cream into the glass. Before serving, sprinkle with cocoa powder and decorate with the fresh mint leaves. Ecco fatto!

You can also add popcorn to the vegan tangerine tiramisu

Enjoy this popular and iconic dessert not only at Christmas, but all year round. Don’t just prepare delicious tangerine tiramisu. Try some other great and super easy recipes for raspberry tiramisu or why not one with strawberries? You can experiment as you please and always discover new variants!

Christmas tiramisu with tangerines and cinnamon

Matcha tangerine tiramisu is just as popular and delicious

Also prepare tiramisu cake for Christmas