Classic Tiramisu Recipe (2024)

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Let’s make Tiramisu, a classic Italian no-bake dessert! This delicious recipe is made with espresso dipped ladyfingers layered with rich and creamy mascarpone filling, and topped with cocoa powder.

Classic Tiramisu Recipe (1)

I used to order classic Tiramisu only in restaurants and hesitated to make it at home for a long time. This famous Italian recipe looked complicated and scary, until I made it myself and realized that it’s actually quite easy!

There are a few steps that could be intimidating, like cooking egg yolks over a double boiler. But don’t worry, I’m going to show you every step of the process for a perfect dessert, even if you never made it before.

Classic Tiramisu Recipe (2)

Why this recipe works

A good classic Italian Tiramisu recipe is always made with egg yolks. That’s what provides a rich and decadent taste, thick texture, and traditional yellowish color.

To make sure it’s safe to eat, we will cook the egg yolks on a double boiler until it reaches 170°F.

Adding more mascarpone cheese will help us to have richer and more flavorful filling, while whipped cream will lighten it up.

What are Ladyfingers?

Also known as “savoiardi”, ladyfingers are Italian finger-shaped sponge cookies. They are often used in no-bake desserts, like trifle and tiramisu, and usually layered with cream filling.

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How to make it

Brew Coffee.

Brew Espresso or strong coffee and let it cool off to the room temperature. If you want to add rum, pour it into the coffee and stir. Set aside.

Cook the eggs yolks.

In a large heat-proof mixing bowl, add egg yolks and sugar. Beat it with a whisk for a few minutes until it becomes light and pale (Photos 1-4).

NOTE: Beating the egg yolks before cooking will prevent them from cooking and curdling.

Then add ¼ cup of heavy cream and whisk again (Photos 5-6).

Classic Tiramisu Recipe (4)

Set the egg yolk mixture over a saucepan with lightly simmering water and cook for about 10 minutes, until it reaches 170°F (please use a food thermometer). Whisk constantly so the eggs don’t cook. The mixture should thicken and have a pale color (Photos 7-9).

When done, take it off the double boiler, add vanilla extract, and whisk. Let it cool off for about 10 minutes (Photo 10).

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Adding the rest of the ingredients.

When the mixture cooled off, add cold mascarpone cheese, and using a mixer and a whisk, mix everything very well until you get a smooth consistency (Photos 11-12).

In a separate mixing bowl, whip the rest of the heavy cream (¾ cup) until stiff peaks. Add it to the egg/mascarpone mixture and fold it in using a spatula (Photos 13-14).

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Assemble.

Prepare 9×13 baking pan.

Working one at a time, dip half of the ladyfingers into the coffee mixture and arrange them in one layer in a baking pan (Photos 15-16).

Spread half of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the ladyfingers (Photo 17).

Repeat another layer with ladyfingers dipped into the coffee, followed by the rest of the mascarpone mixture (Photos 18-19).

Dust the top with sifted cocoa powder (Photo 20).

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Refrigerate.

Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for 6-24 hours before serving.

Tips for best results

  • When you dip ladyfingers in coffee, you should work quickly. Because they absorb liquid fast, don’t submerge them for longer than 2-3 seconds, otherwise they will get mushy.
  • When whisking the yolk mixture over the double boiler, make sure that the bottom of the mixing bowl doesn’t touch the steaming water beneath it.
  • Make sure you refrigerate this cake before serving, so all the flavors can bind together. I find that it tastes the best for the next 2 days after preparation.
Classic Tiramisu Recipe (8)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to use raw eggs?

It is, if you cook them over double boiler to the right temperature, 170°F. Also, make sure that your eggs are fresh and were properly refrigerated.

What type of coffee shall I use?

I prefer to use freshly brewed espresso for stronger flavor, but you can use any strong brewed coffee too. Just make sure you cool it off before dipping in the ladyfingers.
If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use powdered “instant” espresso mixed with the water.

Do I have to use Rum in this recipe?

The alcohol is completely optional, it just provides additional flavor. You can skip rum, or use other options, like Grand Marnier or brandy.

What can I use instead of ladyfingers?

If you can’t find ladyfingers in the store, you can use a plain sponge cake. Slice it into strips and bake for about 10 minutes at 250°F to dry and get outside crisp. Then cool off and use to assemble the cake.

How long does it keep fresh?

If you have any leftovers left, you can cover the pan with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Classic Tiramisu Recipe (9)

Did you make this recipe?!?I’d love to know how it turned out! leave a comment and a rating below👇 thank you!

Classic Tiramisu Recipe (10)

Print Recipe

5 from 9 votes

Classic Tiramisu Recipe

Let’s make Tiramisu, a classic Italian no-bake dessert! This delicious recipe is made with espresso dipped ladyfingers layered with rich and creamy mascarpone filling, and topped with cocoa powder.

Prep Time40 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 12 people

Calories: 531kcal

Author: Veronika’s Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 2 cups espresso or strong coffee room temperature
  • ¼ cup rum optional
  • 6 large egg yolks room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 24 ounces mascarpone cheese cold, 3 cups
  • 1 cup heavy cream cold, divided
  • 40-45 ladyfingers
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions

Brew Coffee.

  • Brew Espresso or strong coffee and let it cool off to the room temperature. If you want to add rum, pour it into the coffee and stir. Set aside.

Cook the eggs yolks.

  • In a large heat-proof mixing bowl, add 6 egg yolks and ½ cup sugar. Beat it with a whisk for a few minutes until it becomes light and pale.

  • Then add ¼ cup of heavy cream and whisk again.

  • Set the egg yolk mixture over a saucepan with lightly simmering water and cook for about 10 minutes, until it reaches 170°F (please use a food thermometer). Whisk constantly so the eggs don’t cook. The mixture should thicken and have a pale color.

  • When done, take it off the double boiler, add 1 tsp vanilla extract, and whisk. Let it cool off for about 10 minutes.

Adding the rest of the ingredients.

  • When the mixture cooled off, add 3 cups cold mascarpone cheese, and using a mixer and a whisk, mix everything very well until you get a smooth consistency.

  • In a separate mixing bowl, whip the rest of the heavy cream (¾ cup) until stiff peaks. Add it to the egg/mascarpone mixture and fold it in using a spatula.

Assemble.

  • Prepare 9×13 baking pan.

  • Working one at a time, dip half of the ladyfingers into the coffee mixture and arrange them in one layer in a baking pan.

  • Spread half of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the lady fingers.

  • Repeat another layer with ladyfingers dipped into the coffee, followed by the rest of the mascarpone mixture.

  • Dust the top with sifted cocoa powder.

Refrigerate.

  • Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for 6-24 hours before serving.

Video

Notes

When you dip ladyfingers in coffee, you should work quickly. Because they absorb liquid fast, don’t submerge them for longer than 2-3 seconds, otherwise they will get mushy.

When whisking the yolk mixture over the double boiler, make sure that the bottom of the mixing bowl doesn’t touch the steaming water beneath it.

Make sure you refrigerate this cake before serving, so all the flavors can bind together. I find that it tastes the best for the next 2 days after preparation.

Is it safe to use raw eggs?

It is, if you cook them over double boiler to the right temperature, 170°F. Also, make sure that your eggs are fresh and were properly refrigerated.

What type of coffee shall I use?

I prefer to use freshly brewed espresso for stronger flavor, but you can use any strong brewed coffee too. Just make sure you cool it off before dipping in the ladyfingers.

If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use powdered “instant” espresso mixed with the water.

Do I have to use Rum in this recipe?

The alcohol is completely optional, it just provides additional flavor. You can skip rum, or use other options, like Grand Marnier or brandy.

What can I use instead of ladyfingers?

If you can’t find ladyfingers in the store, you can use a plain sponge cake. Slice it into strips and bake for about 10 minutes at 250°F to dry and get outside crisp. Then cool off and use to assemble the cake.

How long does it keep fresh?

If you have any leftovers left, you can cover the pan with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 266mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1419IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.

Classic Tiramisu Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional tiramisu made of? ›

Traditional tiramisu contains ladyfingers (savoiardi), egg yolks, sugar, coffee, mascarpone and cocoa powder. A common variant involves soaking the savoiardi in alcohol, such as Marsala wine, amaretto or a coffee-based liqueur.

What not to do when making tiramisu? ›

Roberto Lestani, who for the occasion revealed to us the 3 mistakes not to make to prepare a stunning tiramisu!
  1. 1: excessively whipping the mascarpone! ...
  2. 2: once together, don't immediately mix the yolks and sugar! ...
  3. 3: Neglect stratification!
Jun 16, 2020

Is tiramisu better with whipped cream or egg whites? ›

In most tiramisus, you would be able to find the use of either heavy whipping cream or whipped egg whites. I've tried both and they worked well for me. However, my family and friends tend to prefer the whipped egg white version as they're less fattening, and has a lighter aftertaste.

Which alcohol is best for tiramisu? ›

Tiramisu can have a variety of different types of alcohol inside, however the most common alcohol in tiramisu is dark rum. Other common types of alcohol used in tiramisu is marsala wine, amaretto, or coffee liquor.

Is Kahlua or rum better for tiramisu? ›

Alcohol: I prefer Kahlua, but use any of the following: Marsala wine, rum (dark is best!), brandy, or Amaretto. Make it Alcohol-Free: Omit the Kahlua entirely from the coffee mixture and replacing it with coffee in the mascarpone mixture.

What is the difference between Italian and American tiramisu? ›

Traditional Italian tiramisu does not contain cream–the mascarpone “cream” is composed of simply mascarpone, eggs and sugar. However, our selection of mostly Americanized recipe did include 5 recipes that used heavy cream (ranging from 2 tablespoons to 2 cups).

Is tiramisu very unhealthy? ›

The high-fat culprits in this dish? Lots of whipping cream, boatloads of mascarpone cheese and the cake-like ladyfingers cookies. Some recipes call for several cups of whipping cream, but just one cup contains a whopping 414 calories and 44 grams of fat (28 of them saturated.)

Why is my tiramisu so runny? ›

Whichever biscuits you choose, make sure not to soak them too much, otherwise the excess coffee will make the mascarpone cream runny. Once they are soaked, line them up in the oven pan with the sugared side facing upward.

Do you use hard or soft ladyfingers for tiramisu? ›

4. The best ladyfingers for this recipe are very dry and crisp. They're often called savioardi and are imported from Italy. If you can't find these and your supermarket only has soft, cakelike ladyfingers, you'll need to let them dry out in the oven first.

What is the best substitute for ladyfingers in tiramisu? ›

Pavesini Biscuits: Pavesini biscuits are a popular alternative to ladyfingers in tiramisu. These small, thin biscuits are low in calories and can be brushed with coffee instead of being dipped. They are commonly used in making tiramisu, especially in individual servings [2].

Can I use Philadelphia cheese instead of mascarpone for tiramisu? ›

Philadephia cheese has a more acidic taste and a consistency that make it suitable for cheesecake but absolutely not for tiramisu. Its very easy to make mascarpone at home (500g fresh cream, 10g lemon juice and 82 degrees centigrade) so look up one of the dozens of recipes and don't try to substitute it.

What can you use instead of heavy cream in tiramisu? ›

There is no yogurt in Tiramisu, and no heavy cream either. There is only mascarpone, an Italian type of cream cheese which you can find in any supermarket or online. Check your recipe again if you want the real thing, with the real taste and consistency. I would use ricotta, cream cheese, or cottage cheese.

What can you use instead of Kahlua in tiramisu? ›

This irish cream tiramisu is made with bailey's liqueur instead of rum or kahlua. It adds a nice little twist to such a classic, fun dessert!

What is a substitute for amaretto in tiramisu? ›

You can use almond extract to replace almond liqueur or amaretto liqueur in a recipe. OliveNation Almond Extract's flavor is more concentrated than amaretto or almond liqueur. Our recommended substitution ratio is 4 to 8 times liqueur to extract.

Can I use rum instead of Marsala in tiramisu? ›

Fortified wine: The traditionalist's choice is a sweet fortified wine like Marsala. It's lower in alcohol content and adds a light, fragrant note. You could also use Vin Santo or Madeira. Liquor: Rum and brandy are the popular choices for boozy desserts, and when it comes to adding depth to tiramisu, it's no different.

Does authentic tiramisu contain alcohol? ›

The original, authentic Tiramisu recipe does not contain alcohol. But, many say it does. Whether you want to use a little alcohol is up to you. Indeed, it's quite common to add rum or brandy to the ladyfinger coffee mixture.

What's the difference between tiramisu and tiramisu cake? ›

While traditional tiramisu relies on ladyfingers, tiramisu cake often uses layers of sponge cake soaked in espresso and sometimes a touch of liqueur. The quintessential mascarpone cream remains a constant, but the structure allows for creative variations.

What is the difference between mascarpone and tiramisu? ›

Tiramisu (Italian: tiramisù [ˌtiramiˈsu], from tirami su, "pick me up" or "cheer me up") is a coffee-flavoured Italian dessert. It is made of ladyfingers (savoiardi) dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavoured with cocoa. Mascarpone is the base for Tiramisu'.

Do they eat tiramisu in Italy? ›

Tiramisu's origins may well be the most debated of Italian dolci (“desserts”), but one thing everyone can agree on is that it is certainly Italy's most uplifting dessert. Beloved by many across the globe, it's name translates as 'pick/pull me up', owing to its rich cocoa and coffee-infused flavours.

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