Apple Cider Tiramisu
I’ve been hinting at desserts with moonshine for quite some time. The problem with moonshine is that you’re not likely to remember the things you were doing before you drank it. It is quite possible that I’ve made ten desserts with moonshine and only photographed this one. Oh, and this one, too.
Moonshine (also referred to as white lightning or white whiskey) is simply corn whiskey that is not aged in barrels. Regular whiskey and bourbon (and dark rum, for that matter) get their brown hue from the barrel they are aged in. White whiskey is corn mash fermented, distilled, and bottled immediately. Here’s a good explanation of how it’s made. It’s pretty potent stuff, and it’s safe to say that if you don’t enjoy drinking liquor straight, you won’t enjoy moonshine straight. Enter apple pie moonshine. Apple pie moonshine is moonshine that has been infused with fresh apples and cinnamon. It makes it smooth and drinkable. Maybe a little too drinkable.
Moonshine has a mysterious history, which is common for most things that come out of the Appalachians. I adore reading and learning about this part of America, and I feel that our most fascinating history stems from here. Mr. Dessert For Two is reading this book, which outlines the history of the beverage and exposes the shocking truth about who was behind the illegal practice. I can’t wait for him to finish it so I can read it next.
Tiramisu was one of the top 5 desserts that y’all request for me to scale down to serve two. I hope you don’t mind that I Southern-ified it. If you really want me to, I can make a traditional Italian version with the leftover ladyfingers. Just speak up.
Looking for a good mandolin or these cute mini trifle dishes? Try my Amazon store 
Oh, and the winner of the Keep It Sweet bakery giveaway is…
Comment #27 belongs to Danni:
Congrats, Danni! I emailed you already. Thanks to everyone who entered.
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup powdered sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
- ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 small Golden Delicious apple (or other soft apple)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons apple pie moonshine
- ½ package of lady fingers (~12 lady fingers)
- In a medium bowl, beat together with an electric mixer the cream cheese, cinnamon and ¼ cup powdered sugar. Once incorporated, slowly add the heavy cream while beating continuously. Once the mixture has the appearance of a thickened whipped cream, set aside.
- Using a mandolin, thinly slice the apple until you reach the core. You only need about 6 slices per trifle dish. Alternatively, you could grate the apple; ¼ cup of grated apple for each trifle dish would suffice.
- In a shallow bowl, stir together the apple cider and apple pie moonshine. Have ready the lady fingers.
- In the bottom of each trifle dish, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of grated apple or 3 thin apple slices. Sprinkle lemon juice and the extra powdered sugar on top of each apple layer. Next, dip each lady finger, one at a time in the apple cider mixture–do a quick dip, no more than 2 seconds per side. After dipping, slice the cookies in half to fit on the sides of the trifle dish. (You may ignore this step if you’re using other serving dishes.) Line each edge of the trifle dish with the lady fingers.
- Scoop one-quarter of the cinnamon cream in the middle of each trifle dish. Top with another 2 tablespoons of grated apple or 3 apple slices.
- Cover and let set in fridge for at least 5 hours before serving.
What a great flavor combination!
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I love your spin on tiramisu! What a great idea. I have to admit I’ve never tried Moonshine, or at least don’t remember trying it:-)
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Now this is fancy! Love this idea!
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oh love love loveeee that you totally reinvented tiramisu with this edgy spin!!
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This is fantastic! And I’d love to see a scaled down version of traditional tiramisu (my husband loooves it!)
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UH, this is so cute! I love tiramisu. Will you come make this for meeee poleaselaselaslelase?!
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I’m amazed at all your moonshine knowledge. I’m also pretty sure I’d be one of those people that would black out at the first sip of it so this seems like a much better (and safer) approach
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i’m loving this take on tiramisu!
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I’ve always wondered what moonshine was! I love your Italian/Southern mash up here and those mini trifle dishes are so adorable.
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I need to get my hands on some apple pie moonshine…that could really come in handy
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I want to be your neighbor for this! I think you know how I fell about tiramisu. And moonshine? I am obsessed ever since Discovery had the show called “Moonshiners”, did you watch it? Loved it and I love you for adding moonshine to tiramisu. You are my hero
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Christina Reply:
April 17th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
I can’t believe I missed an entire show about moonshine! I must order it on netflix stat! Thanks for the rec!
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Apple pie moonshine is the best.
This dessert looks unbelievably good!
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this looks so amazing.. i love how it is so tiny for 1 person… so cute. you have outdone yourself on this one. delicious!
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Awesome tipsy tiramisu! I’ve never once tried moonshine, and would love to give it a shot…proabably would enjoy the apple version even better! Lookin delicious!
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White lightning in the UK is a horrible form of really cheap cider which comes in a plastic bottle….your version looks and sounds infinitely superior! I love a good boozy tiramisu and can imagine the apply flavour with it is divine. Gorgeous photos too.
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I love the idea of cooking for 2.
Will try to apply.
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Christina, I love the photo of your tiramisu and the way you “Southern-ified” the recipe!
Congrats to the giveaway winner, too!
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Love me some boozy desserts, this is fantastic. Great reinvention!
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I love this dessert and the little trifle dishes!
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Good Morning!
This tiramisu looks and sounds awesome.
I have to admit a weakness for tiramisu.
Am going to try this!
Have a Joyful Day!
Charlie
OH! I’m not the type to go out and buy this book, but I would sure love to know who was behind the moonshining.
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This, my love, looks AMAZING.
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From the looks of this, I may like your version better than regular tiramisu – the fruit makes it feel lighter and adds another dimension. Me likey!
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wow this is beautiful!!!! I love tiramisu is one of my favorite cakes!
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Very informative post and your apple cider tiramisu is absolutely beautiful!
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Thinking I need some of this right now, sounds so amazing!
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Christina, sounds great. I would still love to get a scaled down regular tiramisu recipe from ya.
Also, when ya moving to Kansas and where?? I live in Kansas City. Congrats!!
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I love regular tiramisu but cream cheese, apples and booze sound even better to me!
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This tiramisu sounds amazing! So, when can we get our hands on some apple cider moonshine!? I love the packaging too! X
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Christina Reply:
April 20th, 2012 at 7:15 am
I linked to the brand I like in my Amazon store, Imen. Enjoy
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I would LOVE a recipe for regular, old-fashion tiramisu! I have been craving it for months but just cannot make an entire one because I know I will eat more than needed. Plz plz make a regular one for us
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