Chef Saloni Kukreja Puts a Vietnamese Coffee Spin on Classic Tiramisu

MUMBAI, June 4, 2026 — Chef, entrepreneur, and food content creator Saloni Kukreja shares a recipe for Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu a fusion dessert that layers bold Vietnamese-style coffee, sweet condensed milk, and creamy mascarpone into a comforting take on Italy's most beloved no-bake classic.

Kukreja shared the recipe on Instagram on June 3, describing it as a combination of everything she loves about dessert. "This Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu combines everything I love about dessert: creamy mascarpone layers, bold coffee flavour, and the sweet richness of condensed milk inspired by Vietnamese iced coffee," Kukreja said. "Whether you're a tiramisu lover or just looking for an easy dessert, I think you're going to love this one!"

Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu Recipe Fuses Two Beloved Dessert Traditions

Traditional tiramisu relies on espresso, egg yolks, and mascarpone layered between savoiardi the Italian ladyfinger biscuits for its signature texture and flavor. Kukreja's Vietnamese-inspired version keeps the mascarpone cream and ladyfingers at the core but swaps the espresso element for a deeper, more robust Vietnamese coffee preparation, then adds condensed milk in place of sugar to introduce the characteristic sweetness and richness associated with Vietnamese iced coffee.

The result bridges two distinct culinary traditions. Vietnamese coffee typically brewed through a phin drip filter and traditionally served over sweetened condensed milk is known for its bold, slightly bitter depth and thick body. When those qualities carry into a tiramisu soak, they amplify the contrast between the bitter coffee-drenched ladyfingers and the sweet, airy mascarpone layers above.

Condensed Milk Adds the Signature Vietnamese Touch

The use of condensed milk is the recipe's most direct nod to Vietnamese coffee culture. In a traditional ca phe sua da Vietnam's iconic iced coffee sweetened condensed milk serves as the primary sweetener, creating a thick, caramel-like base beneath the drip coffee. Kukreja brings that same ingredient logic into the tiramisu, using condensed milk not just for sweetness but for a creamier, denser richness in the mascarpone filling that differentiates this version from its Italian original.

Coffee-soaked ladyfingers form the structural base of the dessert, absorbing the bold Vietnamese coffee brew and softening into the cake-like layers that tiramisu is known for. The mascarpone filling, lightened and sweetened with condensed milk, sits between and above these layers before the finished dessert is dusted with cocoa powder in the classic tiramisu tradition.

A Fusion Recipe for Coffee Lovers Seeking Something Beyond the Usual

Kukreja positions the recipe as an accessible dessert for home cooks who want more than a standard preparation. Its appeal sits squarely at the intersection of two devoted fanbases: tiramisu enthusiasts who know the Italian original well, and coffee lovers drawn to the deep, syrupy character of Vietnamese-style brewing.

The recipe requires no baking, making it achievable for home cooks without specialist equipment. Its components mascarpone, ladyfingers, strong-brewed coffee and condensed milk are widely available, and the preparation follows the same layered assembly process as a standard tiramisu, with the coffee soak and condensed milk substitution as the primary points of departure.

As Vietnamese coffee culture continues to gain visibility across India's specialty café scene, recipes like Kukreja's demonstrate how its bold flavour profile translates naturally beyond the cup and into the broader world of dessert innovation.

More information about Indian cuisine and its regional diversity can be explored through Indian cuisine history and traditions.

Businesses monitoring hospitality expansion trends can also explore restaurant industry growth trends for 2026 to understand how regional food concepts are shaping dining markets.