Dreamy Homemade Tiramisu Recipe: A Coffee Lover’s Treat

Decadent and creamy, this classic tiramisu recipe weaves magic with layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and velvety mascarpone cream.

Rich Italian desserts have never tasted more divine than this smooth, luxurious treat.

Each spoonful promises a delightful dance of coffee and sweet cheese that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The carefully balanced ingredients create a symphony of flavors that transport you straight to a charming café in Italy.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this beloved dessert, passing down secrets that make every bite extraordinary.

Indulge in this timeless recipe that turns simple ingredients into an unforgettable culinary experience.

Prepare to fall in love with the most elegant and irresistible dessert in your repertoire.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 305 kcal

Servings: 9

Everything Inside Classic Easy Tiramisu

• Espresso or Strong Coffee: Provides the authentic, rich flavor foundation that soaks into the ladyfingers.
• Coffee Liqueur: Adds depth and complexity to the coffee base, enhancing the traditional Italian taste profile.

• Mascarpone Cheese: Creates a luxuriously smooth, velvety texture that defines the classic tiramisu.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers lightness and volume to the filling, creating an airy, delicate consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances and sweetens the rich cheese mixture.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a subtle, warm aromatic note that complements the coffee.

• Ladyfingers: Classic Italian sponge cookies that absorb the coffee and provide the signature layered structure.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers a sophisticated bittersweet finish and traditional visual appeal.
• Fine-Mesh Sieve: Ensures an elegant, even dusting of cocoa across the dessert surface.

Kitchen Tools For Classic Easy Tiramisu

• Whisk: Essential for smoothly blending mascarpone cheese and creating a creamy texture.
• Large mixing bowls: Needed for separating and mixing mascarpone and whipped cream.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for whipping cream to stiff peaks quickly and easily.
• Shallow bowl: Used for dipping ladyfingers in coffee mixture.
• 9×9-inch baking dish: Ideal for layering and assembling tiramisu.
• Spatula: Helps spread mascarpone mixture evenly and smooth the top layer.
• Fine-mesh sieve: Great for dusting cocoa powder evenly across the dessert.
• Plastic wrap: Necessary for covering and chilling the tiramisu.

Easy Prep Steps For Classic Easy Tiramisu

• Whip the Creamy Base

Create a luscious mixture by whisking mascarpone cheese until silky smooth. In another bowl, beat heavy cream with sugar and vanilla until it forms beautiful peaks. Gently blend these two components, creating a cloud-like filling that will make your tiramisu irresistible.

• Brew the Coffee Splash

Mix freshly brewed coffee with a hint of coffee liqueur in a wide, shallow container. This liquid will give your dessert that classic, rich flavor that makes tiramisu so memorable.

• Layer with Love

Quickly dunk each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture, ensuring they’re just kissed by the liquid. Arrange the first layer of dipped cookies in your serving dish. Spread half of your creamy mixture over them, creating a dreamy landscape of flavor. Repeat with another layer of ladyfingers and the remaining cream.

• Chill and Develop Flavor

Cover your creation and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Overnight is even better, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle, transforming simple ingredients into a spectacular dessert.

• Finish with Flair

Before serving, dust the top with a generous layer of cocoa powder using a fine sieve. This final touch adds a beautiful contrast and a hint of bitterness that complements the sweet, creamy layers beneath.

Clever Tips For Classic Easy Tiramisu

• Perfect Texture Tip: Briefly dip ladyfingers in coffee mixture to prevent sogginess, ensuring a light and delicate dessert texture that melts in your mouth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare tiramisu 1-2 days in advance to enhance flavor development, allowing ingredients to blend beautifully and create deeper taste profiles.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute mascarpone with coconut cream and use vegan ladyfingers for a plant-based version that maintains the classic dessert's luxurious essence.
• Kid-Friendly Twist: Create a non-alcoholic version by replacing coffee liqueur with additional coffee or vanilla extract, making this elegant dessert enjoyable for all ages.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free ladyfingers or almond sponge cake slices to accommodate dietary restrictions while preserving the traditional tiramisu experience.

How To Serve Classic Easy Tiramisu Easily

• Sweet Coffee Companion: Pair this luscious tiramisu with a freshly brewed espresso or cappuccino to enhance the rich coffee flavors and create a classic Italian dessert experience.
• Elegant Dessert Plating: Serve individual portions on elegant white plates, garnished with a small chocolate curl or fresh mint leaf for a sophisticated presentation that delights the eyes and taste buds.
• Textural Garnish Boost: Sprinkle some finely crushed amaretti cookies or dark chocolate shavings on top for an extra layer of crunch and depth, adding a delightful contrast to the creamy mascarpone mixture.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the dessert with a sweet dessert wine like Vin Santo or a Pedro Ximénez sherry, which will beautifully echo the coffee and chocolate notes of the tiramisu.

Storage And Planning For Classic Easy Tiramisu

• Smart Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate tiramisu for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to enhance flavor depth and texture. Allowing dessert to rest helps ingredients marry beautifully, creating a more intense taste experience.
• Advance Preparation Magic: Craft this delightful dessert up to 2 days before serving. Keep tightly covered in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Portion and Protect: Store leftover tiramisu in an airtight container within the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and quality. Cover surface with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and potential flavor contamination.
• Temperature Wisdom: Always serve chilled directly from the refrigerator. Remove from cold storage just moments before serving to ensure perfect consistency and maintain the dessert's delicate structure. Avoid leaving at room temperature for extended periods to prevent potential texture breakdown.

Silky Classic Tiramisu Recipe

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• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Rich layers of classic easy tiramisu recipe delight coffee and mascarpone enthusiasts with authentic Italian charm. Creamy, indulgent dessert promises sweet satisfaction you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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• 24–30 ladyfinger cookies (savoiardi)
• 8 oz (225 g) mascarpone cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) strong brewed coffee or espresso, cooled
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, cold
• ⅓ cup (70 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsps coffee liqueur (optional, e.g., Kahlua)
• 2 tbsps cocoa powder, for dusting

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Instructions

1. Cream Preparation: Whisk mascarpone to a silky consistency, then gently fold in whipped cream with sugar and vanilla, maintaining a light, airy texture.
2. Coffee Soak: Create an espresso and coffee liqueur bath, quickly dipping ladyfingers to achieve a delicate moisture without saturating.
3. Layering Technique: Construct the dessert by alternating a precise layer of coffee-kissed ladyfingers with the creamy mascarpone mixture, ensuring even distribution and complete coverage.
4. Chilling Process: Seal the assembled tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and the dessert to firm up completely.
5. Finishing Touch: Just before serving, generously dust the surface with cocoa powder using a fine-mesh sieve, creating an elegant and traditional presentation that showcases the dessert’s beautiful layered structure.

Notes

• Control Coffee Absorption: Dip ladyfingers extremely quickly in espresso mixture to prevent oversaturation, which causes a mushy texture – aim for 1-2 second light dunk.
• Stabilize Cream Consistency: Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks carefully, stopping just before it turns grainy to maintain smooth, silky mascarpone mixture without separation.
• Temperature Matters: Always use cold mascarpone and cream directly from refrigerator for optimal whipping volume and structural integrity of the dessert layers.
• Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute traditional ladyfingers with gluten-free versions or consider using almond flour biscuits for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining authentic flavor profile while accommodating different dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 83 mg