Did you know that the popular probiotic kefir drink can also be transformed into a creamy, yogurt-like or mascarpone-style spread?
Yes, from homemade milk kefir you can make a delicious kefir cheese—perfect for healthy spreads or even desserts!
This healthier twist on the classic tiramisu uses creamy kefir cheese as a substitute for mascarpone, and gluten-free cookies to make it suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
Vedrana Orlović (Kefirolicious), a passionate kefir expert and recipe creator, has shared with us a delightful and wholesome recipe: Tiramisu with kefir cheese. Whether you’re already a fan of fermented foods or just exploring the world of kefir recipes, this dessert is simple to prepare, naturally gluten-free, and does not contain big amounts of sugar.
RECIPE
Serves 2 to 3 persons
Homemade milk kefir is much more than just a drink full of good bacteria. One of my favorite ways to use milk kefir is by making cheese.
I personally prefer a creamy cheese texture, so I let the kefir strain in a jar (in the fridge) for up to 4 days. It’s perfect for making both sweet and savory spreads, but this time, the cheese took center stage in my Tiramisu dessert.
Although traditional Tiramisu includes more ingredients, I adapted the recipe to suit my taste, using only a minimal amount of added sugar—since gluten-free cookies are already sweet on their own.
200 ml coffee (I made Turkish coffee and strained it to remove the grounds)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
Mash the kefir cheese with a fork until creamy. If it’s not sweet enough for your taste, you can add a bit of honey.
Brew the coffee, strain it to remove any grounds, let it cool slightly, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Dip cookies into the vanilla coffee and place them at the bottom of a glass or bowl. Spread a layer of cheese over them, then add another layer of coffee-dipped cookies, followed by another layer of cheese.
Dust the top with cocoa powder.
Continue layering in your glasses or jars until you’ve used up all the cheese and cookies!
