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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Classic Tiramisu

dessert· Easter· Holiday Favorites· Valentine's Day
February 10, 2020

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Classic Tiramisu – Lady fingers are dipped in coffee and layered with whipped mascarpone to make a classic version of this Italian dessert.

Lady fingers are dipped in coffee and layered with whipped mascarpone to make a classic version of this Italian dessert.

My birthday is this week! Woohoo! Luckily, I’m not yet jaded by my birthday so I get just as excited to celebrate a new year of life now as I would 10 years ago. But now, the most exciting thing about this time of year isn’t the gifts…it’s the food! I get to pick out where we celebrate (I always pick steak) and I get a yummy cake.

In honor of my birthday, today I am featuring a recipe for one of my favorite desserts EVER – tiramisu! Instead of vamping up this dessert and making it unique, I’m changing things up and giving you a classic recipe for tiramisu. Because why mess with a classic?

Without further ado, check out this Classic Tiramisu!

Pan of Classic Tiramisu
Plate with a piece of Classic Tiramisu and a fork
Pan of Classic Tiramisu with three pieces missing

What is tiramisu?

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that tastes of coffee, cake, and a tangy whipped cream mixture. But you’ll be shocked to know that the “cake” you taste is actually lady fingers that soak up coffee to get perfectly soft.

And that tangy whipped cream you taste is actually whipped mascarpone with sugar and eggs to get it nice and thick, but still slightly light in texture.

Finally, the ingredient that gives tiramisu it’s signature look is the layer of chocolate cocoa powder that sits right on top of the tiramisu.

How is tiramisu made?

Tiramisu is a no-bake dessert so it’s rather easy to put together. The hard part, however, is letting the flavors and textures marinate to form the end product. This takes at least 4 hours but the tiramisu only gets better as time goes on so you should definitely make it the day before serving.

Using raw eggs

First, you’re going to whip eggs together with the sugar to get them nice and fluffy. Now, I’m sure your first thought here is: “You just said this dessert was no-bake, but you’re adding eggs? Does that mean there are raw eggs in this dessert?

Yes, there are. Traditionally, tiramisu has always been made with raw eggs. Most times, however, restaurants pasteurized their eggs before adding to tiramisu to make the dessert safer for children and expectant mothers.

For my recipe, I am not pasteurizing the eggs because I am confident in the quality of my eggs. However, if you have any concerns about using raw eggs, you can whisk them over a double-boiler until the eggs reach a temperature of 140 degrees. Then you can add to sugar and begin whipping them in the mixer.

Once the eggs are whipped and fluffy, the mascarpone cheese is added with vanilla, whipped some more, and then set aside for layering.

Layering the tiramisu

Once you’ve made the mascarpone cream, it’s time to get layering!

The lady fingers are dipped in strong coffee sweetened with a little sugar. You don’t want to hold the lady finger in the coffee for too long or it will begin to fall apart. 2-3 seconds is the perfect amount of time to let just enough coffee get absorbed by the lady finger.

Next, the lady fingers are layered in a square dish, making sure to put them as close together as possible.

Ladyfingers lining a pan

Half of the whipped mascarpone is then spread over the top of the first layer of lady fingers. Make sure to get into every nook and cranny of the lady fingers layer.

Whipped marscarpone being spread over the ladyfingers

The layers are repeated and then the tiramisu is chilled for at least 4 hours before dusting with cocoa powder and serving.

Slice of the Classic Tiramisu showing the layers of ladyfingers and whipped marscarpone

Tips & Tricks

  1. Don’t soften the mascarpone cheese at room temperature before using it. The texture appears to be similar to cream cheese, but it’s actually much softer. Therefore, it whips nicely, even when cold. In fact, if it gets room temperature, it’s actually greasy will ruin the texture of the cream.
  2. The lady fingers needed for this recipe must be crunchy and firm or else they will turn soggy and fall apart when dipped in coffee. You can typically find them in the grocery section near the fancy packaged cookies.
  3. The resting time for this recipe is not optional. The lady fingers need time to soak up the coffee flavor or else they won’t get soft enough. Plus, all the flavors come together over time so it becomes one cohesive dessert.
Print Recipe

Classic Tiramisu

Lady fingers are dipped in coffee and layered with whipped mascarpone to make a classic version of this Italian dessert.
Prep Time30 mins
Resting Time4 hrs
Total Time4 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 9 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar divided
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
  • 1 ¾ cup strong brewed coffee hot
  • 7 ounces lady finger cookies
  • unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions

  • Add eggs and 1/2 cup of sugar to the bowl of stand mixer. Beat with whisk attachment on medium-high until light and super fluffy, about 7 minutes. Add vanilla and mascarpone cheese and beat for 1 more minute. Set aside.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of sugar to hot brewed coffee and ix together. Place into a shallow dish. Dip one lady finger into coffee and hold for 2 seconds, but no more than that! It'll start to fall apart if it soaks for too long. Lay into a square dish. Repeat with more lady fingers until you create one even layer.
  • Spread on half of the mascarpone mixture. Repeat with the rest of the lady fingers and the last layer of mascarpone. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Before serving, dust cocoa powder all over. Left overs can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Recipe Tin Eats

Pin for later:

Classic tiramisu photo collage

More recipes you’ll love:

Tiramisu Cupcakes
Tiramisu cupcake with a bite out of it
Tiramisu Frozen Coffee
Glass of Tiramisu Frozen Coffee topped with whipped cream and a lady finger
Irish Cream Tres Leches
Plate with a piece of Irish Cream Tres Leches

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21 Comments

« Chocolate Berry Fritters
Walnut Brownie Cookies »

Comments

  1. Aline says

    February 17, 2020 at 2:54 pm

    I never really cared for tiramisu, until I tried this recipe. Soooo good and so much better than the ones I’ve had in restaurants and didn’t even like ahaha Thanks for the recipe!!!

    Reply
  2. Tara says

    February 16, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    Tiramisu is my downfall when it comes to desserts. I have to try it anywhere I go that serves it. Can’t wait to make it at home.

    Reply
  3. Sophie says

    February 16, 2020 at 11:56 am

    This looks absolutely delicious! I love tiramisu a lot. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  4. Veronika says

    February 15, 2020 at 8:11 pm

    This is my most favorite dessert! Although, I never made it myself…. Will save the recipe and try it soon!

    Reply
  5. Leslie says

    February 15, 2020 at 10:26 am

    This looks heavenly! I appreciate your tips about the mascarpone cheese as well. Very helpful!

    Reply
  6. Kushigalu says

    February 15, 2020 at 2:17 am

    One of my favorite dessert. Drooling over pics. So yum

    Reply
  7. Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says

    February 15, 2020 at 1:57 am

    I am happy to see you respected the traditional Tiramisu. It looks great, perfectly creamy and delectable. Yes, most of the time the eggs are just raw, but as you said you can whisk them over a double boiler to be safe.

    Reply
  8. Elaine says

    February 14, 2020 at 6:09 pm

    One of the best tiramisu recipes I’ve seen to date. Great texture and just the way I would want a tiramisu on my plate to be. It was great to read about raw eggs in tiramisu – something to remember!

    Reply
  9. Tammy says

    February 14, 2020 at 4:24 pm

    Tiramisu has to be one of my favorite desserts. It’s just so easy to make and so light yet decadent. Yours looks perfect 😀

    Reply
  10. Veena Azmanov says

    February 13, 2020 at 12:47 am

    This is surely my Valentine Dessert for my loved ones. Looks too delicious and presentation amazing.

    Reply
  11. alison abbott says

    February 11, 2020 at 9:05 pm

    I’m always on the hunt for a better tiramisu recipe. M family love this desert! Can’t wait to try your version.

    Reply
  12. Amber S Battishill says

    February 11, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    This looks absolutely delish! I was just telling my husband that I wanted to try making tiramisu! Pinning your recipe for later!

    Reply
  13. Ashley R says

    February 11, 2020 at 12:03 pm

    I can see why people love this dessert, although it isnt one I would pick if I had a choice.

    Reply
  14. Carissa says

    February 11, 2020 at 8:53 am

    Tiramisu is AMAZING!!! And I usually only have it at restaurants because I’m scared to try it at home, but this I could do! I can’t wait to try this!!!

    Reply
  15. Chef Dennis says

    February 11, 2020 at 3:52 am

    I really love Tiramisu! I love that it’s dipped in coffee and layered with whipped mascarpone. I will definitely make this at home and serve to my family.

    Reply
  16. Anita says

    February 11, 2020 at 12:36 am

    Who can say no to a tiramisu. And the classic version is always the best one in my opinion. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Rebecca says

    February 10, 2020 at 10:23 pm

    this tiramisu looks so good! Totally gotta try your recipe 🙂

    Reply
  18. Alexandra says

    February 10, 2020 at 10:05 pm

    One of my absolute all time favourite desserts. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!

    Reply
  19. Krissy Allori says

    February 10, 2020 at 9:22 pm

    This is such a great classic dessert. I made it for a girls get together recently and they loved it!

    Reply
  20. Carrie Robinson says

    February 10, 2020 at 8:17 pm

    This is my absolute favorite dessert! I will have to give your recipe a go soon. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Heather says

    February 10, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    Tiramisu is on of my all time favorite desserts. I can’t wait to try this recipe.

    Reply

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