I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach, gluten-free recipe creator, and home detoxification expert with a focus on gut health. I show burned-out women with digestive issues how to take a proactive, holistic approach to healing by sharing nutrient-dense recipes, and sustainable lifestyle tips that are easy to implement in everyday life.
Enjoy the decadent flavor of tiramisu any time of day with this mouthwatering tiramisu latte. You’ll enjoy all the health benefits of antioxidant and polyphenol-rich chocolate and coffee but without the gluten, inflammatory sugar, or growth hormones from dairy. This tiramisu latte recipe is quick and easy to make for the perfect post-meal dessert beverage when you’re feeling indulgent. It’s also easily customizable to suit your individual preferences. You really can’t go wrong.
If you let it sit for a few minutes, the nut milk will separate, creating layers that resemble a slice of delicious tiramisu cake!
While you can use fully caffeinated coffee for your tiramisu latte, I don’t recommend it. Caffeine:
Raises cortisol (a stress hormone) and therefore raises blood sugar
Interferes with nutrient absorption
Affects sleep patterns even after many hours
Plus, cacao powder naturally contains caffeine, so even if you opt for decaf coffee, your tiramisu latte will still contain some caffeine–but choose what’s best for you.
If you prefer caffeinated coffee, it’s best not to drink it when you first wake up or on an empty stomach. Instead, wait at least 90 minutes from waking and eat a high-protein breakfast to reduce the effects on cortisol levels. Hydrating ahead of time with herbal tea or warm water helps, too.
Health Benefits of Cacao and Coffee
Both cacao and coffee are rich sources of flavonoids and polyphenols, which act as antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. These compounds offer a whole host of health benefits, including:
The potential reduction of heart disease and some types of cancer
Improved general cardiovascular health
Reduced blood pressure
Improved blood vessel function
Tiramisu Latte for Gut Health:
In addition to all the benefits listed above, polyphenols just so happen to be the favorite food of the beneficial bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila. These guys are critical to maintaining a healthy gut lining, especially if you have any form of digestive distress, such as leaky gut, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac Disease, etc. Have your doctor check your levels and start feeding them polyphenol-rich foods so they can do their job. They’ll love this tiramisu latte.
Tiramisu Latte Recipe Main Ingredients
Now that I’ve told you all the reasons why a decaf tiramisu latte makes for a healthy beverage, here’s what you’ll need to make one.
Decaf Coffee:
While traditional tiramisu is made with espresso, I recommend brewing weak decaf coffee. This prevents the coffee flavor from overpowering the chocolate. Look for a Swiss Water® Decaf if you can find one. This decaffeination technique only uses water instead of chemical solvents, which can remain behind in trace amounts in traditional decaf coffee–no thank you! My favorite is Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Swiss Water® Decaf.
Cacao Powder:
Cacao is the main ingredient in chocolate in its raw form. The raw nature of cacao ensures it contains all the health benefits mentioned above, in addition to a strong chocolatey flavor. Alkalized, or Dutch cocoa has been treated with a solution to reduce the acidity. Unfortunately, this removes most of the healthy flavonoids. I know it’s confusing, but opt for cacao powder instead of cocoa powder whenever you can.
Non-Dairy Milk:
Concentrated nut milks with no or limited additives are my go-to non-dairy milks. They’re high in healthy fats and low in sugar. I usually make my tiramisu latte with a combination of almond milk and coconut creamer. The acidity of the coffee will coagulate the proteins in whichever nut milk you choose. This will cause separation, especially as it cools, but it doesn’t affect the flavor or make it “bad.” Let it sit long enough and it’ll resemble the layers in a slice of tiramisu cake!
Vanilla Extract:
Pure vanilla extract is the easiest (and most affordable) option for this tiramisu latte recipe, but if you want to get fancy and use a whole vanilla bean, I’m not going to stop you–it’s delicious. I get my vanilla extracts from Savory Spice.
How to Make a Tiramisu Latte: 2 Methods
IN AN AUTO-DRIP COFFEE MAKER (EASIEST)
Brew the coffee at half-strength (the quantities listed in the recipe are how I like it, but adjust to your preference).
While the coffee brews, in a small saucepan on medium-high, heat the nut milk and vanilla extract on the stovetop. Option: If you’re using a real vanilla bean, carefully slice the bean open with a sharp paring knife. Using the blunt side of the blade, scrape the seeds from the bean and add them to the milk. When the milk begins to foam turn off heat, being careful not to burn it.
When the coffee is finished, add the desired amount of cacao powder directly to the coffee carafe. Mix it with a latte frother or whisk so the powder is fully blended. Mixing in the carafe makes it easier to pour.
Using the latte frother, froth the milk in the saucepan to give it extra foam. The fattier the milk, the more foam you’ll get.
Pour the coffee/cacao mixture into your favorite mug and top with the frothed milk.
Sweeten with liquid stevia or pure monk fruit drops to taste and savor your tiramisu latte!
FOR ALL OTHER COFFEE MAKERS
Follow the first 2 steps above but pour the coffee directly into the saucepan with the milk. Then add the cacao powder and combine everything with a latte frother or whisk.
Use a ladle or a funnel to carefully pour the tiramisu latte into your favorite mug. I made the mistake of pouring it directly from the saucepan and spilled it all over the counter… twice.
Enjoy a tiramisu latte with your favorite gluten-free almond cookies for a treat.
Adjust to Suit Your Needs
One of the things I love most about this recipe is how versatile it is. Use it as a guide, but feel free to brew stronger or weaker coffee to suit your taste.
If you’re highly sensitive to caffeine (as I am) reduce the cacao powder to one tablespoon or less. You can always add more once you know your tolerance.
This versatile tiramisu latte recipe is brimming with antioxidants to support your health while you savor every drop. Enjoy all the decadent flavors you love without the yucky side effects of sugar, caffeine or dairy products. Make one today for a warm, rich dessert beverage you can feel good about at any time of the day.
Ingredients
Scale
16 oz water in the coffee maker (fill to the 4-cup line on coffee pot)
1/2 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk (I use 3:1 almond milk to coconut creamer)
Brew coffee at half your typical strength (the quantities listed above are a good starting place, but adjust as needed).
While the coffee brews, in a small saucepan on medium-high, heat the nut milk and vanilla extract on the stovetop. Option: If you’re using a real vanilla bean, carefully slice the bean open with a sharp paring knife. Using the blunt side of the blade, scrape the seeds from the bean and add them to the milk. When the milk begins to foam turn off heat, being careful not to burn it.
When the coffee is finished, add the desired amount of cacao powder directly to the coffee carafe. Mix it with a latte frother or whisk so the powder is fully blended. Mixing in the carafe makes it easier to pour.
Using the latte frother, froth the milk in the saucepan to give it extra foam. The fattier the milk, the more foam you’ll get.
Pour the coffee/cacao mixture into your favorite mug and top with the frothed milk. Sweeten with liquid stevia or pure monk fruit drops to taste and enjoy!
OTHER COFFEE MAKERS:
Follow the first 2 steps above but pour the coffee directly into the saucepan with the milk. Then add the cacao powder and combine everything with a latte frother or whisk. There likely won’t be as much foam.
Use a ladle or a funnel to carefully pour the tiramisu latte into your favorite mug.
Ideally, use a “water processed” or Swiss Water® Decaf due to the absence of chemical solvents found in traditional decaf coffee.
If highly sensitive to caffeine, start with less cacao and increase to your taste and level of tolerance.
No matter how you make it, this tiramisu latte is a rich, indulgent beverage that you can feel good about. If you can taste all the flavors, you did it right.
If you loved this tiramisu latte recipe, please rate it below And don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest so you can come back to it the next time you crave a delicious dessert beverage.
