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Strawberry tiramisu cheesecake cups are a healthier cheesecake recipe, thanks in part to the gluten-free crust and fresh strawberries. They’re one of the best gluten-free no bake dessert recipes for spring!
It’s spring, and you know what springtime means… up next is bathing suit season. That calls for cheesecake. Oh wait, I don’t like cheesecake, unless it’s these Good-for-You Strawberry Tiramisu Cheesecake Cups.
Look, portion control! Plus they are gluten-free, grain-free, can be refined-sugar-free, high in protein, low in carbs. Heck, even with my temporary blood sugar issues, I can eat one two one… OK, OK, I’ll admit it – two.
I have been getting some gorgeous strawberries in the grocery store. So I thought I would make a sweet treat that is light and and just sweet enough. It’s time to move on from the heavy, rich comfort foods of winter – it’s SPRING!!
Last Friday, my hubby was awesome enough to watch The Bug and my friend’s two kids so that a couple of my girlfriends and I could run down the street and get some Thai food for dinner. You know, sort of my last Girls’ Night Out before the baby is born. Well, what Girls’ Night is complete without dessert?! But with the gestational diabetes and wheat allergy, my dessert options are fairly limited.
So, that is how this idea for strawberry tiramisu cheesecake cups was born.
An almond “crust”, just a bit of honey, with most of the sweetness coming from the natural sugars of the strawberries, and protein to balance those carbs in the form of mascarpone cheese and Greek yogurt. And just a bit of shaved dark chocolate because, you know, what isn’t better without a little chocolate?
But just because it is good-for-you doesn’t mean it isn’t GOOD. Strawberry tiramisu cheesecake cups are awesome! My friends were stuffed, but finally gave in to having one – and they were glad they had just enough room. They totally raved about the Strawberry Tiramisu Cheesecake Cups! Heck, my friend’s 1 1/2 year old wanted to devour mama’s entire dessert, even after she had her mac and cheese, hot dogs, veggies, and a little snack. And that same friend gave up sweets & treats for Lent, but these weren’t really dessert – more like a sweet snack, a yogurt parfait, if you will. Totally acceptable! And definitely just the perfect little treat to hit the sweet spot after a filling dinner.
What is your favorite springtime fruit or veggie? I adore strawberries and asparagus!
Good-for-You Strawberry Tiramisu Cheesecake Cups for Springtime
Ingredients
For the strawberry topping:
- 1 cup strawberries chopped
- 1 tablespoon Triple Sec Grand Marnier, or orange juice
For the cheesecake filling:
For the crust:
- 1 cup ground almonds
- 1 tablespoon honey
To assemble:
- 1/2 ounce dark chocolate grated (I used Ghirardelli 70% Cacao Extra Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar, and grated it with a Microplane grater)
- 6 small strawberries optional
Instructions
For the strawberry topping:
- Combine strawberries and liqueur or orange juice, and let sit for about 30 minutes.
For the cheesecake filling:
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl, and stir until smooth and fully combined.
For the crust:
- Combine the ingredients in a bowl, and stir until the honey is evenly distributed and the mixture is slightly crumbly.
To assemble:
- Divide the almond mixture between 6 glasses or bowls, about 2 1/2 T in each, and press down slightly.
- Top almond mixture with about 1 T berries in each glass or bowl.
- Divide the cheesecake filling between the glasses or bowls, about 1/4 c in each.
- Divide the remaining berries between the glasses or bowls, about 1 T in each, and divide any juice that may have collected between the glasses or bowls.
- Sprinkle the grated chocolate over each of the cheesecake cups, and top with a strawberry, if desired.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be made the night before and kept chilled until serving.
Categories:
Enjoy!
Maybe a silly question but is ground almond the same as almond flour? Or do I have to buy almonds, freeze them, and put them in the food processor?
You know, when I first wrote this recipe, bags of almond meal weren’t as readily available so I just ground them up. But I would expect almond meal would work just fine.
This tiramisu sounds delicious – definitely need something lighter like this during spring time! I have been experimenting with strawberries too – a French Clafoutis (very similar to a souffle) for something sweet and not too heavy or rich:
http://www.indigomemoirs.com/2013/04/15/strawberries-clafoutis/
Yum – love the addition of the strawberry and the individual presentation is so pretty. Thanks for sharing on Thursdays Treasures. Hope you are enjoying our maternity leave and your darling new little one.
Tiramisu is such a great dessert, and even without the lady fingers, this looks amazing! Perfect for my sister who is gluten free. Thanks for the great recipe, Brianne!
Lovely Brianne. You recipe remake sounds divine!
Thanks so much Cindy!
Brianne, you’re amazing! You’re ready to pop any minute now (and looking awesome, btw). You’re battling gestational diabetes and have kept up such a positive attitude every step of the way. Now, you’ve made a luscious, decadent dessert using good-for-you ingredients. I’m drooling!
I try to be positive, but you don’t live with me 😉 Cranking out recipes is what is getting me through!
I love this so much!! Beautiful photos too!
Thanks so much Angie!
Oh my, this looks way better than any tiramisu I’ve had!
Thanks so much!
Tiramisu is our favorite dessert around here. I’m excited to try your twist on this classic. And your pics are beautiful!
Well, it definitely is not quite the classic, but it has some elements of it. Enjoy, and thanks!
I love the idea of mixing the strawberries with Grans Marnier. I’ve never tried it, but I bet it would be fantastic. Beautiful cheesecake cups!
The touch of sweetness and citrus is perfect. I love it for strawberry shortcake or just over vanilla ice cream.
Love these good for you dessert cups!I love that you combined mascarpone with greek yoghurt that I absolutely love!!Delicious!
Thanks Soni! I actually pieced together a few ideas in my head for this recipe, but your crepes were part of the inspiration.
These look face-rocking good! Added this to our always-growing list of foods to make. Thanks for sharing, Brianne!
Amy, @Chobani
Thanks so much Amy!
I usually don’t care for tiramisu because soggy lady fingers are gross to me… but these are lady finger free! I love the flavors and I’ll totally try this recipe!! YUM!!
Yes, I am hit or miss with tiramisu. Ever since I’ve had it in Italy, it just isn’t the same here. I love that this is thick and not mushy.
Yummy! These desserts (I think I will call them breakfasts 🙂 ) sound delicious!
I’ve taken to calling them snacks – just sounds healthier, right?! 🙂 But breakfast is good, too!
This is beautiful!! Sounds so yum too!
Thanks Dorothy!
I am right there with you..I would be eating two too! This loo and sound great! This is on my “must try” list!
So much for pre-set portion control 😉
Oh my goodness gracious! These look divine!!!
Thanks so much, Conni!
These look delicious and I love the presentation with the cheesecake in the deep glasses and the spoon on top!
Thanks Heather! I had a little fun with them!
I love the mascarpone cheese and yogurt combo. It is an awesome flavor combination and pretty guilt free too!
Thanks – it worked out so well!
I don’t care if they’re good for me…I just neeeeeeed one now!
Who cares if a dessert is good for you if it doesn’t satisfy the sweets cravings! This definitely fits the bill!
Mmmmmm….we were on the same wavelength this week, but you kept yours to a proper serving side and more bikini friendly version! These sound fantastic! Hope you have a sweet babe in your arms soon!!! xo
Haha, I’d love to sink a spoon into yours right now, but for the moment I have to keep mine a bit healthier. Don’t worry, I’ll be scouring all of my favorite sweet treats blogs for more decadent stuff soon enough!
Great recipe and gorgeous photos! I’m a sucker for strawberries.
Thank you! Strawberries are the best this time of year!
What an awesome hubby you have… not only watches his kids but your friends kids too! And seriously… this may be one of the most beautiful desserts I have ever seen! YUM
He is definitely a keeper, though we were less than 5 minutes down the road if he needed us to rush back! Thanks!
Mixing strawberries with orange liqueur is one of my favorite ways of eating them. The rest of the ingredients in this recipe just fall together perfectly! Gorgeous Brianne, and so great that it´s a controlled portion. Have a great day, and good luck with the new baby!
The orange liqueur is the perfect way to macerate berries. Thank you so much, Paula!
Wonderful photos and great recipe! I am officially inspired…and salivating!
Thank you so much!