Easy Tiramisu Recipe

posted by Lindsay on May 12, 2019
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This easy Tiramisu recipe is made with ladyfinger cookies soaked in Kahula and espresso, then layered with fluffy mascarpone cream and chocolate. Learn how to make authentic Tiramisu at home and fall in love with this classic Italian dessert.

A slice of tiramisu and a pan filled with uncut tiramisu

Easy Homemade Tiramisu

Prior to making homemade tiramisu, I’d never considered myself a fan. An old friend loved it, so I’d share it with her when we were out at a restaurant, but it had always seemed a little “blah” to me. Honestly, even these days I tend to find it disappointing when I get it out somewhere.

Fortunately I had a request for it a while back and made it myself for the first time! This recipe is an update of a version I posted back in 2013 and it’s still my favorite way to eat tiramisu! Homemade definitely tends to be better when it comes to dessert and this tiramisu is proof!

A large piece of tiramisu on a white plate with a fork

What Is Tiramisu?

Tiramisu is a classic Italian no-bake dessert made with ladyfingers dipped in a mixture of espresso + liqueur, then layered with mascarpone cream and grated chocolate or cocoa powder. The name means “carry me up” or “pick me up,” which is a reference to the caffeinated shot of espresso in the dessert. Sometimes it is also called a Tuscan Trifle. Each bite of tiramisu tastes like the perfect mix of cream, coffee and chocolate. It’s hard to resist!

 

Tiramisu in a silver pan with a few slices cut out

Tiramisu Ingredients

You only need a few ingredients to make tiramisu. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Eggs
  • Sugar
  • Mascarpone cheese – This is similar to cream cheese, except it is made with whole cream instead of milk. 
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Ladyfingers – If you can’t find these at your local market, you can buy authentic Italian lady fingers on Amazon. Get real deal ladyfingers (the firm ones, not the soft ones). These are also called Savoidari. 
  • Hot water
  • Espresso powder – This adds the signature coffee flavor to tiramisu.
  • Kahlua
  • Cocoa powder

How To Make Tiramisu from Scratch

Tiramisu is where I fell in love with mascarpone cheese have since used it in so many desserts and toppings, including my Stabilized Mascarpone Whipped Cream. Yum!

And even though tiramisu may seem difficult to make, it really isn’t. Bonus – it’s no bake. Sure you use your stove, but not for long.

Steps for cooking the eggs and sugar in tiramisu

Step 1: Make Your Mascarpone Cheese and Egg Mixture

To get started, you’ll combine the egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler (or in your metal mixer bowl over the top of some simmering water, as I use). When you first whisk the eggs and sugar together, it’ll be chunky and funky, but as it heats up it’ll thin out.

Continue whisking while the mixture heats up and cooks. You don’t want to scramble your eggs, so keep it moving and keep an eye on it. Cook the mixture for about 5-8 minutes or until the mixture grows in volume, thickens and turns a pale yellow. You want the sugar to melt, but if it’s still a little gritty, that’s ok. It will smooth out as you go on.

Set the egg mixture aside to cool until they are just a little warmer than room temperature. Add the mascarpone cheese and gently combine it all using a folding motion until well combined.

Step 2: Fold In Whipped Cream

Next you’ll add the whipped cream. (You can see my tutorial on how to make homemade whipped cream here.) Fold it gently into the mascarpone/egg mixture and then set that aside. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have tasted it about 5 times before setting it aside because it’s basically the best stuff EVER! You could just eat it with a spoon and be perfectly happy!

Step 3: Make a Simple Espresso Mixture

For the espresso mixture, I like to add some Kahlua. I love the flavor it adds, but feel free to turn it down a notch, or leave it out completely. I added a note about how to adjust.

A slice of classic tiramisu with a fork sitting on a white plate

How To Assemble Tiramisu

The rest is just layering. Dip the ladyfingers into the espresso mixture for about 3-5 seconds. The longer you dunk them, the more moisture they’ll soak up and the stronger the flavor will be.

This recipe has two layers of ladyfingers and two layers of mascarpone mixture. Once you’re done layering, sprinkle some cocoa on top and maybe some chocolate shavings. Refrigerate overnight and enjoy! Trust me, it won’t last long.

A baking pan filled with homemade tiramisu

Tiramisu Dessert FAQs

How Long Will Tiramisu Keep in the Fridge?

Tiramisu will keep in the fridge for up to one week. You might find that the flavors actually get even better after it has been stored for a couple days.

Can I Make Tiramisu in Advance?

Yes! Since tiramisu keeps well in the fridge you can make it in advance. The flavor really peaks around two days in, so I’d recommend making it no earlier than two days in advance.

Can I Make Authentic Tiramisu without Alcohol?

While the Kahlua does add a nice depth of flavor, it is not essential. If you would prefer not to use alcohol in this recipe you can easily skip it and just soak your ladyfingers in espresso instead.

More Tiramisu Dessert Recipes You Might Enjoy

Easy Tiramisu Cheesecake
Mini Tiramisu Trifles
Tiramisu Cupcakes
Pumpkin Tiramisu Layer Cake
Caramel Macchiato Tiramisu Trifle (with Nutella!)
Oreo Brookie Tiramisu

Recipe originally posted 10/15/13. It has been updated but if you’d like a copy of the original version, download it here.

Easy Classic Tiramisu Recipe

A piece of authentic Tiramisu on a white plate with a fork
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★★★★★

4.5 from 11 reviews

This Easy Classic Tiramisu Recipe is made with ladyfinger cookies soaked in Kahula and espresso, then layered with fluffy mascarpone cream and topped with chocolate.

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12-14 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups mascarpone cheese*
  • 1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 1 (17.5 ounce) package ladyfingers
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 6 tbsp espresso powder
  • 1 1/4 cups Kahlua*
  • 1 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish. If you want to be able to remove the tiramisu from the pan when done so that you can see the layers, I suggest lining the pan with parchment paper that sticks up over the sides, then putting a cardboard cake rectangle in the bottom of the pan. The tiramisu will be supported by the cardboard when you remove it using the parchment paper.
  2. Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler (or in a metal mixer bowl over a pot of simmer water). Whisk to combine. The mixture will seem a little chunky at first, but will thin out as it heats up.
  3. Continue cooking and whisking for about 5-8 minutes, until mixture grows in volume, thickens and turns a pale yellow. The sugar should melt, but if it’s still a little grainy, that’s ok. It will smooth out as you go.
  4. Set the egg mixture aside to cool to a little warmer than room temperature.
  5. While eggs cool, make the whipped cream. Add the heavy whipping cream to a large mixer bowl and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form.
  6. When the egg mixture has cooled, add the mascarpone cheese and gently fold together until combined.
  7. Gently fold the whipped cream into mascarpone/egg mixture in two parts. Set mixture aside
  8. Dissolve the espresso powder into the hot water, then combine with the Kahlua.
  9. One at a time, dip the ladyfingers into the Kahlua mixture for about 3-5 seconds. The longer you dip the ladyfingers, the stronger the flavor will be. As you dip the ladyfingers, lay them into the bottom of the 9×13 pan. You should be able to get two rows in a layer.
  10. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers.
  11. Repeat ladyfinger layer, then top with remaining mascarpone mixture. Dust the top with cocoa powder.
  12. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight, then remove from pan (if desired) and serve.

Notes

Get the mascarpone cheese out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before using. You want it to warm up a bit, but still be a little chilled.

If you’d like to make this tiramisu without the Kahlua, use this espresso mixture:

2 1/4 cups hot water
6-8 tbsp instant espresso powder
6 tbsp sugar, optional

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Enjoy!

A slice of tiramisu
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