The 5-Ingredient, Make-Ahead Breakfast That Tastes Like Dessert

When it comes to weekday breakfasts, I’m often uninspired with the standard bowls of cereal bowls or slices of  toast topped with peanut butter. I get into breakfast ruts where I just don’t feel like anything. As a busy mom who is often racing to get my son to daycare, the dog walked, and the dishwasher emptied, I rely on make-ahead breakfasts. After years of the same bowl of overnight oats, I found myself craving something a little more indulgent to start my day.

I don’t have a sweet tooth, but when the odd craving hits, I often dream of light tiramisu, dusted with bitter cocoa powder and a little jolt of caffeine. Tiramisu itself means “pick me up,” and what better way to start the day than with a little pick me up on a plate? To make a breakfast worth waking up for, I recently started to make mini breakfast tiramisus, all lined up in the fridge like soldiers ready for the battle ahead (aka any given weekday). 

Making breakfast tiramisu couldn’t be simpler. I rely on the sweetness from vanilla yogurt and a light layer of sugar sprinkled onto delicate lady fingers. As the mixture sits, the moisture from the yogurt softens the cookies to a cake-like consistency.

Classic tiramisu does contain alcohol, but this breakfast version is intended to start your day on the right foot, so I use strong coffee and a generous glug of vanilla extract in its place. When it’s all said and done, it’s like a bowl of oatmeal with a fancy upgrade.

Choosing the Right Yogurt

I like to use high-protein Greek yogurt for this breakfast. Not only does it help keep me satiated, but it is thicker than the average yogurt—crucial to making this tiramisu hold its shape. Using a higher fat content yogurt will also help ensure easy slicing or scooping.

If you only have plain Greek yogurt instead of vanilla, simply swirl in a few tablespoons of honey and a dash of vanilla to taste.

What Are Ladyfingers?

Ladyfingers are a light and airy sponge cake biscuit that are meant to be soaked in liquid. They are easy to find in your local grocery store, but you can also try making your own if preferred.

The size and texture of these mini cakes are crucial to this dish. Lady fingers are truly the best way to keep this just-sweet-enough, but if you can’t find them, you can substitute Biscoff or Lotus biscuits for a sweeter, spicier alternative.

How to Make My Make-Ahead Breakfast Tiramisu

To make 6 to 9 servings, you’ll need:

• 1 cup strong coffee, cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (7-ounce) package ladyfingers
• 1 (32-ounce) container vanilla Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

In a shallow dish, combine the coffee and vanilla extract. Working one at a time, dip half of the ladyfingers into the coffee mixture, quickly turning them as you dip to moisten both sides. Don’t let a biscuit soak for more than 2 seconds or it will become too soggy.

As you dip, arrange the ladyfingers in an even layer on the bottom of an 8x8-inch baking dish (or divide among 4 to 6 mason jars or other containers for individual grab-and-go servings). You may need to break some of the biscuits in half to evenly cover the bottom. Wait to dunk the remaining ladyfingers until after you’ve added a layer of yogurt.

Add half of the Greek yogurt on top of the soaked ladyfingers and spread it in an even layer. Repeat the soaking step with the remaining ladyfingers, arranging them on top of the yogurt in an even layer. Top with the remaining yogurt. Finish by sprinkling a light dusting of cocoa powder on top.

Cover the dish lightly with plastic wrap (or cover individual containers with their lids). Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. When ready to eat, slice into squares and serve. Leftovers (or remaining individual containers) can be stored, covered, in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Make It Your Own

• I sometimes like to add a tablespoon or two of nut butter to my yogurt (pistachio is my favorite!) for an added flavor boost.
• Get a little fruity with strawberry yogurt.
• Not a coffee drinker? Dunk the ladyfingers in your favorite tea (I love chai!) instead of coffee.