The Best Tiramisu You Will Ever Make

Your friends and family will love my tiramisu recipe.  It's easy to make and I guarantee it will be the Best Tiramisu you've ever had!   Can you believe that this classic dessert can be made in 30 minutes? 

Total Time: 40 minutes

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My girls at school wanted to learn to make Tiramisu. I have made it at home for years and it was always very creamy and delicious, but I was never thrilled with how it held up.

So I started trolling for recipes to see what I might be doing wrong. And let me tell you there are as many different Tiramisu recipes as there are Italian grandmothers, each with their own little twist. Some which weren’t tiramisu at all.

What I did find was a recipe that took me back to a time when life was simpler. When food had become something almost magical to me, something that resonated deep down inside of me. Something that I knew I could do and be good at. Taping into this ability had been a gift from God and Mama Jeanette taught me how to use it.

What Ingredients to I need to Make Tiramisu?

I’ve had so many questions about the process of making my Tiramisu that I’ve added step by step pictures to help you along the way.

Let’s start by gathering our ingredients. In chef speak this is called a mise en place (everything in its place).

Chef Dennis Tip:  Have the eggs and mascarpone at room temperature before making this recipe. That will help them mix together more smoothly

Is it difficult to make Tiramisu?

It’s a lot easier than you might think to make tiramisu. Just follow my step by step instructions and you’ll be making tiramisu better than your favorite local restaurant!

The first step is whipping the egg yolks (approx. 1/2 cup) and the sugar until they are very thick. One of the mistakes people tend to make is under whipping the egg mixture. This is done using a double boiler method with a bowl over a pot of simmering water. I like using a bowl because there are no corners that I can’t get into. This is your Sabayon.

Chef Dennis Tip: Always use the freshest products available. If the eggs, cream or mascarpone are close to the expiration date, they can break down in the recipe.

Next, add the mascarpone and whip it in until its light and fluffy.

Chef Dennis Tip:

Whipping your cream is also where some people make a mistake. The idea with whipped cream is to do it slowly. Using an electric mixer begin whipping the cream on low, increasing the speed over 10 minutes. This makes a whipped cream that will last for days in your fridge without the aid of gelatin.

*If you make whipped cream as a topping for desserts don’t forget to add the sugar and vanilla, for the tiramisu, we are not adding sugar or vanilla to the mixture.

The last step is gently folding in the whipped cream into the sabayon mixture. Do not hurry this step and use a spatula or large spoon to fold the whipped cream in.

You want to keep as much of the air in the whipped cream intact, so the tiramisu cream is light and fluffy.

The next step is assembling the tiramisu.

Chef Dennis Tip: 

Soak the ladyfingers in the coffee mixture briefly. Don’t let them get soggy, it will ruin the dessert?

Chef Dennis Tip:

Only use Crunchy SAVOIARDI (ITALIAN LADYFINGERS)  Cake style ladyfingers will get too soft.

Set your pan up with a layer of the coffee soaked ladyfingers. (Standard 9″x 9″ pan)

Then add your first layer of tiramisu cream. Use half of your mixture and spread it evenly.

Add a second layer of prepared ladyfingers to the pan.

Add the remainder of the tiramisu cream and spread evenly. Dust the tiramisu with cocoa and you’re finished!

Now comes the hardest part. Let the tiramisu set up for at least 6 hours, overnight is best. This tiramisu can be made a day or two ahead of time and should last in your fridge for up to a week.

Can I Freeze Tiramisu?

Yes, you can freeze tiramisu. Use plastic wrap and place it directly against the surface (without cocoa) to prevent a skin from forming, cover tightly. Repeat the process with an additional layer of plastic wrap and then cover with tin foil and freeze. To defrost, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. After it has defrosted, add the layer of cocoa and serve.

How Long Can I keep Tiramisu in the Refrigerator?

Personally, I have kept tiramisu for up to a week. The flavors actually get better after 2 days. If you don’t think you’re not going to finish it in a week, I would consider freezing part of it. (Or make your neighbors very happy by offering them some).

Can I Make the Tiramisu ahead of Time?

You can easily make the tiramisu up to 2 days before you need it.

How do I make enough for a 9 x 13 Pan?

To make a larger version of this recipe that will fit in a 9 x 13 pan simply multiply the ingredients by 1½ (one and a half). This will come very close leaving you with a little extra cream to snack on while you wait for the tiramisu to set.

If you enjoy delicious desserts you may also like these recipes:

• Bee Sting Cake
• Pumpkin Crunch Cake
• Pineapple Butter Cake
• Chocolate Mousse Cake

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The Best Tiramisu You Will Ever Make

Your friends and family will love my tiramisu recipe.  It's easy to make and I guarantee it will be the Best Tiramisu you've ever had!   Can you believe that this classic dessert can be made in 30 minutes? 

Author: Chef Dennis Littley

Nutrition Facts

The Best Tiramisu You Will Ever Make

Amount Per Serving

Calories 490 Calories from Fat 306

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 34g 52%

Saturated Fat 20g 100%

Cholesterol 217mg 72%

Sodium 64mg 3%

Potassium 118mg 3%

Total Carbohydrates 37g 12%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 33g

Protein 5g 10%

Vitamin A 25.6%

Vitamin C 0.3%

Calcium 9.7%

Iron 11.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Authentic Tiramisu, easy tiramisu, tiramisu recipe

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

Servings: 9

Calories: 490 kcal

Ingredients

• 6 large egg yolks (approx. 1/2 cup of yolks)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese ( room temperature
• 1 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 -7 oz packages Italian Lady fingers (Savoiardi style}
• 1 cup cold espresso or strong coffee
• 1/2 cup coffee flavored Liqueur optional
• 1 ounce unsweetened cocoa for dusting

Instructions

1. Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler, over boiling water. Reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. This is your sabayon, remove from the heat and whip yolks until thick and lemon-colored.  Allow to cool briefly before mixing in mascarpone.

2. Add Mascarpone to whipped yolks, beat until combined.

3. In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer whip cream to stiff peaks.   (hand mixer or stand mixer is fine)

4. Gently fold the whipped cream in the mascarpone sabayon mixture and set aside. The mascarpone does not have to be at room temperature, but it will help it mix in easier if it is.  Take it out of the refrigerator as you gather ingredients to make the recipe.
5. Mix the cold espresso with the coffee liquor and dip the ladyfingers into the mixture just long enough to get them wet, do not soak them!

6. Arrange the ladyfingers in the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish (or container similarly sized)

7. Spoon half the mascarpone cream filling over the ladyfingers.

8. Repeat process with another layer of ladyfingers 

9. Add another layer of tiramisu cream

10. Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Overnight is best.

11. Dust with cocoa before serving

Recipe Notes

***If you can't find Mascarpone in your stores.  You can make this substitute.  It won't be exactly the same but it will come close.

8 ounces full fat cream cheese, 1/4 cup whipping cream and 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, whip until it's just blended. This will give the equivalent of around 1 1/4 cups mascarpone.

• Have the eggs and mascarpone at room temperature before making this recipe. That will help them mix together more smoothly
• Whipping your cream is also where some people make a mistake. The idea with whipped cream is to do it slowly. Begin whipping the cream on low, increasing the speed over 10 minutes. This makes a whipped cream that will last for days in your fridge without the aid of gelatin. 

• Soak the ladyfingers in the coffee mixture briefly. Don't let them get soggy, it will ruin the dessert.

• Only use Crunchy SAVOIARDI (ITALIAN LADYFINGERS)  Cake style ladyfingers will get too soft.

• Allow Tiramisu to set up for at least 6 hours before serving.  Overnite is best.
• Have the eggs and mascarpone at room temperature before making this recipe. That will help them mix together more smoothly.