This tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts to make. It’s super easy and tastes amazing! The layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone (don’t worry, there are no raw eggs), and a dusting of cocoa powder on top make it so delicious. The best part? You don’t even need to bake it, and you can make it ahead of time!
Tiramisu Recipe
I’ve spent a lot of time perfecting this recipe, probably more than I should admit. Let’s just say I’ve made more tiramisu than I can count, and I even ran out of Savoiardi ladyfingers because I was so determined to get it just right. But it was worth it!
If you're not familiar, tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert made with layers of ladyfingers soaked in coffee, liqueur, and a rich mascarpone cheese mixture, all dusted with cocoa powder. As I was deciding how to make it, I wondered if I should go the extra mile and make the ladyfingers from scratch or whether I should use raw eggs like in the original recipe.
In the end, I chose to skip the raw eggs, which makes the tiramisu easier to make and still super tasty. Traditional recipes usually use raw egg yolks and whites, but I know a lot of people prefer to avoid raw eggs.
I even tried cooking the eggs and sugar over a double boiler before mixing them with the mascarpone. But, honestly, I found it a bit tricky to get that creamy texture I was after.
So, I decided to switch things up and use whipped cream instead of egg whites. I just love the flavor and texture it brings, it’s both delicious and super easy! I think you’re going to love it too!
Classic tiramisu, with its rich coffee flavor and lightly sweet mascarpone, never goes out of style. This no-bake recipe is a total crowd-pleaser, even for the pickiest eaters.
I also have also made lemon tiramisu and strawberry tiramisu that you should check out!
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⭐Why You'll Love This Tiramisu
- Simple Yet Elegant: Tiramisu is surprisingly easy to make, even though it tastes fancy. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can whip up an impressive dessert without needing advanced skills.
- Customizable: Feel free to play around with this recipe. You can add flavors like coffee liqueur or dark chocolate for a unique twist. Adjust the sweetness to your liking or try different cocoa powders for a new depth of flavor.
- Classic Italian Flavor: This recipe captures the authentic taste of traditional Italian tiramisu. The creamy mascarpone cheese, rich coffee, and vanilla blend together to create a timeless, luxurious dessert.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: Tiramisu is perfect for preparing ahead of time, making it ideal for parties or special occasions. The chilling time helps the flavors come together beautifully, so you can relax on the day of your event.
🧾Tiramisu Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Tiramisu:
- Mascarpone Cheese: I use mascarpone cheese for that classic, creamy texture in tiramisu. This rich Italian cheese gives the dessert its smooth, luxurious feel and pairs perfectly with coffee and sugar.
- Whipping Cream: I whip cold cream to make the tiramisu light and fluffy. It adds a creamy richness without being too heavy, balancing the mascarpone.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar adds just the right sweetness to offset the coffee’s bitterness and the tang of mascarpone. It also helps stabilize the whipped cream and mascarpone mixture for a smooth texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic sweetness that deepens the flavor and complements the other ingredients.
- Ladyfingers Biscuits: I use store-bought ladyfingers because they soak up coffee without getting too soggy. They provide a nice texture contrast to the creamy filling. If you can’t find ladyfingers, pound cake strips work too.
- Instant Coffee: Instant coffee gives tiramisu its essential coffee flavor. It adds depth and a bit of bitterness that balances the sweetness of the mascarpone and sugar.
- Cocoa Powder: I dust the top with cocoa powder for a touch of rich chocolate flavor and a beautiful, dark finish. It adds a nice contrast to the creamy and sweet layers underneath.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Tiramisu
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. In a bowl, mix the mascarpone cheese and 3 tablespoons of cream. Beat with a hand mixer. Add 3 more tablespoons of cream and beat until smooth and creamy.
2. In another bowl, whip the remaining 250 ml of cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
3. Gently mix the mascarpone into the whipped cream until smooth for a light, airy tiramisu filling.
4. Dip each ladyfinger biscuit into the cooled coffee, making sure they are moist but not soggy. Place a layer of soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of your baking dish.
5. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the ladyfingers.
6. Layer the rest of the ladyfingers and mascarpone mixture then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to let the flavors blend.
7. Before serving, sprinkle a good amount of cocoa powder on top of the tiramisu.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Coffee Preparation: Let the brewed coffee cool to room temperature before using it. Hot coffee can make the ladyfingers too soggy and ruin the dessert’s texture.
Ladyfinger Handling: Dip the ladyfingers quickly into the coffee, just a second or two per side. They should be moist but not falling apart.
Smooth and Creamy: Beat the mascarpone until smooth before adding the whipped cream to avoid any lumps in the mixture.
Chilling: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but overnight is best. This helps the flavors blend and the ladyfingers soften perfectly.
Even Dusting: Use a fine mesh sieve to dust the cocoa powder evenly on top for a polished look.
Dust Just Before Serving: Dust with cocoa powder right before serving to keep it dry and fresh.
Storage: Store leftover tiramisu in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert made of layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone cheese, and whipped cream, typically dusted with cocoa powder.
Tiramisu lasts up to 3 days in the fridge when stored properly.
🍰More Cake Recipes to Try!
Love this Tiramisu? You’ll also enjoy these delicious cakes:
🍰More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Tiramisu
Ingredients
- 250 g Mascarpone Cheese
- 6 tablespoon Whipping Cream
- 250 ml Whipping Cream
- 80 g Sugar
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla
- 22-24 Ladyfingers Biscuits
- 300 ml Instant Coffee
- Cocoa Powder
Instructions
- Brew 300 ml of instant coffee and let it cool to room temperature.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese and 3 tablespoon of whipping cream. Beat with a hand mixer.
- Add another 3 tablespoon of whipping cream over the mascarpone mixture, beating until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 250 ml of whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Whip until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold the mascarpone mixture into the whipped cream until well combined. This creates a light and airy filling for your tiramisu.
- Dip each ladyfinger biscuit quickly into the cooled coffee, ensuring they are soaked but not soggy.
- Lay a layer of soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of your baking dish.
- Spread half of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the ladyfingers.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ladyfingers and mascarpone mixture.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- Just before serving, dust the top of the tiramisu with a generous layer of cocoa powder.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
Rich, creamy, and coffee-infused perfection. This tiramisu is a dream come true