Frugal Foodie Mama: Pink Lemonade Tiramisu

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Pink Lemonade Tiramisu

A bright, lemony ladyfinger cake is frosted with a light & fluffy lemon mascarpone topping in this Pink Lemonade Tiramisu...

Pink Lemonade Tiramisu- a bright, lemony ladyfinger cake is frosted with a light & fluffy lemon mascarpone topping. A summery makeover of a classic Italian dessert.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.



With over 250,000 people being diagnosed with breast cancer each year in this country alone, you would be hard pressed to find someone that you know that has not been affected by the disease. Everyone knows someone who has been directly or indirectly affected by it. Many have lost someone to it. And even more are supporting, caring for, and loving someone diagnosed with breast cancer right now. 

It is a cancer that does not discriminate. From a famous actor to the your next door neighbor, from a corporate CEO to a stay at home mother, breast cancer can affect every single one of us.  

Even with so many people out there directly affected by breast cancer and with all of the research that has been done to date, it can still feel daunting and overwhelming to receive a diagnosis of breast cancer. So many questions, so many decisions, and there are often more options available than what is immediately being presented. 

Allstate recognized this need and is on a mission to help every person diagnosed with breast cancer by offering a free Silver Lining Companion Guide. The guide is designed to help them and their families through the experience that too many of us have to unfortunately endure...

Allstate is on a mission to help every person diagnosed with breast cancer by offering a free Silver Lining Companion Guide. The guide is designed to help them and their families through the experience that too many of us have to unfortunately endure. #AllstateSilverLining


While this guide is not designed to take away the confusion, pain, and feelings that come with a breast cancer diagnosis, it does help to provide balance, a different perspective, and a little hope to those who have been diagnosed and their loved ones as they navigate this difficult time.  

From which questions to ask after a diagnosis to what to bring to a surgery consultation to dealing with the feelings associated with cancer treatment, this guide delves head first into the reality of the disease while providing practical tips and silver linings.

Breast cancer has impacted my own life twice now- once before I was even born and again starting over two years ago. I never met my paternal grandmother as she died from breast cancer before I was even born. The void of never knowing her, of her never being a part of my life here will always be a part of who I am as a woman. 

And over two years ago, a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer at just 29 years old. She is a wife and a mother to three. It was a shocking reminder to me once again that breast cancer does not discriminate. 

Since my love language is cooking and baking, I was inspired to organize and host Baking for Kate for two years. Baking for Kate is an online bake sale and auction that I created with the help of other food bloggers to help raise money for Kate and her family so they could cross off experiences from her Mommy Bucket List- a list of everything that Kate hopes to experience with her husband, children, and loved ones before the end of her lifetime.

Since the pink ribbon signifies breast cancer awareness, I am sharing this recipe with you all today for this Pink Lemonade Tiramisu in honor of my grandmother that I lost much too soon to breast cancer and for my dear friend, Kate whose positive and fighting spirit has served as an inspiration to so many already. I also share this recipe in honor of all of you who have been touched by or personally affected by breast cancer...


Pink Lemonade Tiramisu- a bright, lemony ladyfinger cake is frosted with a light & fluffy lemon mascarpone topping. A summery makeover of a classic Italian dessert.

Pink Lemonade Tiramisu

by Frugal Foodie Mama
Prep Time: 20 minutes & 2+ hours chilling time
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients (9 servings)
    For the pink lemonade ladyfinger cake
    • 4 eggs, separated
    • 2/3 cup sugar
    • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 tsp baking powder
    • 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
    • Juice from 1 lemon + 1 tsp sugar
    • 1/2 cup cranberry juice
    • 1 tbsp limoncello
    For the lemon mascarpone topping
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tbsp limoncello
    • 8oz (1 cup) of mascarpone cream cheese, softened
    • Red or pink food coloring
    • Fresh lemon zest & lemon slices, for garnishing (optional)
    Instructions
    Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 13x9 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

    Place the egg whites in bowl and beat on high until soft peaks start to form. Slowly add 2 tablespoons of the sugar and continue beating until stiff and glossy. Set aside. In another bowl, beat together the egg yolks and the remaining sugar. Whip the yolks until thick and very pale in color.

    Sift the together flour and baking powder in a small mixing bowl. Fold half of the whipped egg whites into the egg yolk mixture. Fold in the flour mixture, and then fold in the remaining egg whites. Gently fold in the lemon zest. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Bake 15-20 minutes or until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan and is set in the center.
    Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

    Once the cake has cooled, whisked together the fresh lemon juice, tsp of sugar, cranberry juice, and limoncello in a small bowl. Using a fork, poke holes in the cake every half inch or so. Slowly pour the pink lemonade mixture over the poked cake, allowing the liquid to completely absorb before pouring more over it.

    In a large bowl, whip together the heavy cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar until a loose whipped cream forms. Add in the mascarpone cheese and 1 tbsp of limoncello. Beat until thick, creamy, and fluffy. Mix in the red or pink food coloring a drop or two at a time until your desired shade of pink is achieved.

    Spread the lemon mascarpone topping evenly over the ladyfinger cake.
    Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

    Garnish with fresh lemon zest right before serving.
    Cut, serve, and enjoy! Serve each slice of cake with a lemon slice, if desired.
    Store any leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Powered by Recipage


    Pink Lemonade Tiramisu- a bright, lemony ladyfinger cake is frosted with a light & fluffy lemon mascarpone topping. A summery makeover of a classic Italian dessert.


    Not only is this Pink Lemonade Tiramisu a touching tribute to all of those who have been affected and changed by breast cancer, but it also happens to be a delicious dessert worthy of all your celebrations this summer- big and small. :)  


    How has breast cancer affected your life? 
    What is your love language?


    Be sure to Visit Allstate.com/SilverLining to download the free guide in English or Spanish and to learn more.

    The Guide is also available for pick-up at select Allstate agencies nationwide.




    If you loved this recipe, you might also like my...