Tiramisu with Rose Petal Jam and Amaretto

Rose tiramisu is an elegant take on the classic Italian dessert, combining creamy mascarpone, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, homemade rose petal jam, and amaretto. This tiramisu with rose petal jam keeps the traditional flavours you love while adding a delicate floral twist.

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Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well!

For quite a while, I’ve been experimenting with floral desserts, from jams and ice creams to cookies and cocktails. Eventually, it felt only natural to create a rose tiramisu. However, I didn’t want to reinvent the dessert completely. Instead, my goal was to make a tiramisu with rose petal jam that still tastes unmistakably like a classic tiramisu, with coffee, cocoa, mascarpone, and a gentle touch of amaretto bringing everything together. So, let’s grab spoons and dig into this luscious tiramisu with rose petal jam and amaretto!

Why You’ll Love This Rose Tiramisu

Rose Has Been Used in Desserts for Centuries

Although many people associate edible roses with modern gourmet desserts, rose has actually been enjoyed in sweet dishes for centuries. Throughout the Middle East, Persia, Turkey, the Balkans, and parts of Europe, rose petals, rose water, and preserves have long been used in pastries, cakes, puddings, candies, and beverages.

One of my favourite ways to enjoy roses is in the form of homemade preserves. Unlike rose water, which can become overpowering if overused, rose petal jam offers a gentler, more rounded floral flavour together with a little sweetness and texture. That makes it an excellent ingredient for desserts like this rose jam tiramisu, where the floral notes complement rather than dominate the other flavours.

Another advantage is that every spoonful of jam adds tiny pieces of rose petals throughout the dessert. Besides contributing flavour, they also create beautiful little pockets of colour between the creamy mascarpone filling and the coffee-soaked ladyfingers.

Does Rose Go Well with Coffee?

At first glance, coffee and roses may seem like an unusual combination. Surprisingly, though, they work remarkably well together when the flavours remain balanced.

Coffee brings gentle bitterness and roasted depth, while cocoa adds another layer of richness. In contrast, homemade rose petal jam contributes delicate floral notes and subtle sweetness. Neither ingredient overwhelms the other; instead, they create a dessert that feels both familiar and distinctive.

That balance is precisely why I chose to make this rose tiramisu using coffee and cocoa instead of replacing them. Many modern floral desserts omit coffee altogether, but I believe that keeping these classic elements preserves the unmistakable identity of tiramisu while allowing the rose flavour to shine naturally.

Besides this rose petal jam tiramisu, you may want to try this Rose Iced Coffee with Vanilla Ice Cream – A Floral Summer Drink, too.

Why I Kept This Rose Tiramisu Close to the Classic

When creating this tiramisu with rose jam and amaretto, my intention wasn’t to transform tiramisu into something completely different. Instead, I wanted the floral notes to feel like a natural extension of the traditional recipe.

For that reason, nearly every classic component remains. The ladyfingers are soaked in coffee, the mascarpone filling is prepared with egg yolks, the dessert is finished with cocoa powder, and homemade rose petal jam simply replaces a more traditional fruit element. The result is a rose and amaretto tiramisu that still delivers everything people love about classic tiramisu, yet offers a refined floral character.

I also intentionally kept the sweetness restrained. Homemade rose petal jam provides enough sweetness on its own, allowing the coffee, cocoa, mascarpone, and almonds in the amaretto to remain balanced rather than becoming hidden behind sugar.

Rose and Amaretto Are a Wonderful Pair

Rose and almonds have complemented one another in desserts for generations, so adding amaretto felt like a natural choice. Rather than overpowering the floral aroma, amaretto contributes gentle almond notes that make the rose taste warmer and more rounded.

It also pairs beautifully with coffee and cocoa, helping bridge the flavours throughout the dessert. That’s one reason I think rose and amaretto tiramisu works so well—the ingredients don’t compete with one another. Instead, each one supports the next, resulting in a layered dessert that feels elegant while remaining true to its Italian inspiration.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Tiramisu with Rose Petal Jam and Amaretto

One of the things I enjoy most about this rose jam tiramisu is that it doesn’t require any unusual ingredients. If you already make classic tiramisu at home, you probably have almost everything you need. The homemade rose petal jam simply adds a delicate floral layer while allowing the traditional flavours of coffee, mascarpone, cocoa, and amaretto to remain at the heart of the dessert.

• Mascarpone cheese: The foundation of every good tiramisu. Use full-fat mascarpone for the richest flavour and the smoothest texture.
• Egg yolks: They create a creamy, luxurious mascarpone filling while keeping this recipe close to the traditional Italian method.
• Icing (powdered) sugar: Just enough to lightly sweeten the mascarpone mixture without masking the floral flavour.
• Savoiardi (ladyfingers): Their light, airy texture absorbs the coffee beautifully while still holding its shape after chilling.
• Strong brewed coffee: One of the defining flavours of tiramisu. Allow it to cool completely before dipping the ladyfingers.
• Amaretto: Adds delicate almond notes that pair beautifully with both the coffee and the homemade rose petal jam.
• Homemade rose petal jam: The signature ingredient that transforms this into a rose tiramisu. Besides adding a gentle floral aroma, the jam contributes lovely texture and small pieces of rose petals throughout each layer. Rose Petal Jam – A Fragrant Floral Spread with Edible Roses
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: A generous dusting finishes the dessert with the classic bittersweet contrast that makes tiramisu so irresistible.

I Don’t Have Amaretto. Can I Still Make This Rose Tiramisu?

Absolutely. Although I think amaretto is one of the best flavour pairings for this rose and amaretto tiramisu, there are several easy alternatives.

• Simply omit it. Coffee alone still produces a delicious tiramisu with rose petal jam.
• Marsala wine: The traditional Italian choice for many classic tiramisu recipes.
• Dark rum: Adds warmth and depth without overpowering the rose.
• Brandy or Cognac: A subtle alternative that complements the mascarpone beautifully.
• Coffee liqueur: An excellent option if you’d like to enhance the coffee flavour.
• For a non-alcoholic version: Replace the amaretto with additional coffee. You can also add a tiny splash of almond extract to the mascarpone filling or coffee mixture for a subtle almond note. Since almond extract is highly concentrated, use only a few drops.

I Don’t Have Rose Petal Jam. Can I Make It with Rose Water Instead?

Not quite. Although both ingredients provide floral flavour, they are not direct substitutes.

Rose petal jam contributes sweetness, texture, and pieces of rose petals in addition to its delicate aroma. Rose water, on the other hand, is highly concentrated and adds only fragrance. Using it in place of the jam would significantly change both the flavour and the texture of the dessert.

If rose water is all you have, you can certainly make a floral tiramisu, but it won’t really be the same as this rose jam tiramisu. In that case, stir just a very small amount of rose water into the mascarpone cream and use another preserve, such as apricot or strawberry, for the fruit layer. Be cautious, though—a little rose water goes a very long way, and too much can quickly overpower the dessert.

You can also use a homemade strawberry or raspberry jam infused with a little rose water.

If possible, I highly recommend waiting until you have homemade or good-quality rose petal jam. It gives this rose tiramisu its distinctive flavour while keeping the floral notes soft, natural, and beautifully balanced.

Mascarpone Cream: With or Without Eggs?

One of the biggest questions when making tiramisu is whether to use eggs in the mascarpone cream. Today, you’ll find countless variations, ranging from traditional Italian recipes made with egg yolks to modern versions that use whipped cream instead. Some recipes even combine both.

For this rose tiramisu, I chose the classic approach using egg yolks. Since the homemade rose petal jam already introduces a unique flavour, I wanted to keep the mascarpone filling as traditional as possible.

Egg Yolks

Egg yolks produce a rich, silky mascarpone cream with a luxurious mouthfeel. They also allow the coffee, cocoa, amaretto, and rose petal jam to remain the stars of the dessert rather than creating an overly light filling.

Many traditional tiramisu recipes rely on egg yolks because they create the smooth, custard-like texture that people associate with this beloved Italian dessert.

Whipped Cream

Many modern recipes replace the eggs with whipped cream or use a combination of whipped cream and mascarpone.

While this version is lighter and often easier to prepare, it also changes the character of the dessert. The filling becomes fluffier and milder, making it feel more like a layered cream dessert than a classic tiramisu.

There’s certainly nothing wrong with this approach—it’s simply a different style.

Which Version Should You Choose?

If you’re looking for a dessert that stays close to the traditional Italian recipe, I recommend using egg yolks, just as I did here. The richer mascarpone cream beautifully complements the coffee, cocoa, homemade rose petal jam, and amaretto without competing with them.

Of course, if you already have a favourite mascarpone filling, feel free to use it. The rose petal jam pairs wonderfully with both traditional and modern versions of tiramisu.

How to Make Rose Jam Tiramisu

Although this rose tiramisu looks elegant, it’s surprisingly simple to assemble. If you’ve made tiramisu before, the process will feel very familiar. The only real difference is layering homemade rose petal jam between the mascarpone cream, creating delicate floral pockets throughout the dessert.

I prepared my tiramisu in individual dessert glasses, which makes serving especially easy and creates a beautiful presentation. Depending on the size and shape of your glasses, you may need to break or trim the ladyfingers to fit. As a result, the total number of cookies can vary slightly. If you prefer, you can also assemble the tiramisu in one larger serving dish, adjusting the number of ladyfingers as needed.

When dipping the ladyfingers, I recommend working quickly so they don’t become overly soft before layering. Personally, however, I enjoy tiramisu on the extra-moist side. Instead of soaking the ladyfingers longer, I briefly dip them as usual, then lightly drizzle a little additional coffee or amaretto over each layer after arranging the cookies. This gives the dessert a beautifully soft texture without making the ladyfingers fall apart.

After assembling the layers, refrigerate the dessert for at least four hours, although overnight is even better. During this time, the flavours meld together, allowing the coffee, mascarpone, cocoa, rose petal jam, and amaretto to become perfectly balanced.

More Delicious Recipes with Rose Petal Jam or Rose Syrup

If you’ve made homemade rose petal jam or rose syrup and are wondering what else to make with them, there are plenty of delicious possibilities. Rose is surprisingly versatile and pairs beautifully with berries, citrus, pistachios, almonds, vanilla, honey, and creamy cheeses.

Here are a few of my favourite recipes that showcase these floral ingredients in different ways:

• Rose Jam Shortbread Bars: Buttery, intentionally less sweet shortbread bars layered with homemade rose petal jam and finished with a crisp pistachio crumble.
• No-Churn Rose Jam Ice Cream: A creamy no-churn ice cream featuring homemade rose petal jam swirled throughout for delicate floral flavour in every bite.
• Baked Brie with Rose Petal Jam and Pistachios: Creamy baked Brie topped with homemade rose petal jam and pistachios for an elegant appetizer that’s effortless to prepare.
• Rose Affogato with Amaretto – Easy Floral Espresso Dessert: A quick yet elegant dessert featuring vanilla ice cream, hot espresso, homemade rose petal jam, and a splash of amaretto for a beautiful balance of floral, coffee, and almond flavours.
• Rose Cream Soda with Homemade Rose Petal Jam: A refreshing floral drink made with homemade rose petal jam, sparkling water, and vanilla ice cream for a creamy, fragrant twist on a classic cream soda.
• Ricotta Toast with Rose Petal Jam and Pistachios: Crisp toasted bread topped with creamy ricotta, homemade rose petal jam, and crunchy pistachios for an easy breakfast, brunch, or afternoon snack.

I’d love for you to try this amaretto tiramisu with rose petal jam. If you give it a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts.

Cheers!