Classic Italian Tiramisu Recipe
When the original can’t really be improved, it’s a classic. This Classic Italian Tiramisu recipe is one of these classics. Watch our video and have fun mixing and layering. Don’t forget to use some good strong coffee with a couple tablespoons coffee liqueur to enhance the flavor!
It’s fun to put a twist on recipes and make them your own or to try interesting fusions between one type of cuisine and another. But then there are those times when you want to keep a recipe completely classic because the original can’t really be improved. This classic Italian tiramisu recipe is one of those occasions. Why would you want to change something that’s already been perfected?
I sure don’t, so I’m simply helping you achieve this tried-and-true dessert with this recipe. It’s a great dessert choice to finish an Italian meal like a hearty pasta e fagioli or for a perfect date night by following a savory broiled steak and vegetable meal with the tiramisu. You can make it in order to have a gorgeous dessert when you’re having guests over — it’s perfect for people who love the taste of coffee. This dessert also makes a nice indulgence for when you want something easy to make to satisfy yourself or your family on a regular night.
This is a quick, easy recipe that you don’t even have to bake! You simply mix and layer a few simple ingredients, and then you stick the tiramisu in the fridge for a couple of hours.
When the simple ingredients come together in this recipe, you get a lot of flavor and richness. This is one of those desserts where a little goes a long way, so you can be satisfied with just a few bites if you’re watching your weight.
The key to mastering the flavor of tiramisu is the strong coffee flavor. You get this by creating a mixture of a flavorful coffee and a coffee liquor that you dip the ladyfingers into. I like when coffee companies make it easy to find a really strong flavor for this recipe by laying out the intensity levels of their different coffees and espressos. You kick the coffee flavor up a notch when you add a coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua. With all the coffee flavor, this recipe is perfect for coffee lovers!
I think the ingredients also really shine when you plate a piece of this tiramisu. You get to see the soft ladyfingers colored by coffee and Kahlua, layered with the mascarpone and cream mixture and finished with a gorgeous sprinkling of natural cocoa powder.
I hope you enjoy the decadent flavor of this classic dessert! And if you get a chance to make it, leave a comment and let me know how you like it. Happy cooking!
Classic Italian Tiramisu
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
When the original can’t really be improved, it’s a classic. This Classic Italian Tiramisu is one of these classics. Watch our video to learn how to make it.
Ingredients
- 2–3 cups of strong coffee, let cool
- 2 eggs, yolks and white separated
- 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons Kahlua (or other coffee liqueur with enhanced coffee flavor)
- 8 ounces ladyfingers
- Natural cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Brew coffee and transfer to a medium bowl. Let cool completely. You can place the coffee in your fridge to cool.
- Prepare one large mixing bowl and one medium metal bowl. Make sure two bowls are perfectly clean and dry.
- Separate egg yolks into the large mixing bowl and the whites go into the metal bowl. Set the whites aside.
- Add sugar in the large mixing bowl and beat with a hand-held mixer on medium speed until the mixture goes pale and thick.
- Add mascarpone cheese into the yolk mixture. Beat until well combined. Clean and dry your mixer.
- In another bowl, whip heavy cream using the cleaned mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks hold, about 7-8 minutes. And gently fold the whipped cream into the yolk and cheese mixture. Do not beat.
- Rinse the mixer again and make sure it’s dried completely. Now, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Fold the whites into the cream mixture.
- By now, your coffee should be completely cooled. Add Kahlua into the coffee and stir.
- Prepare a 9″x13″ baking dish. Quickly dip ladyfingers into the coffee mixture, one at a time, for just a second. (If you let the ladyfingers soak for too long, they will soften quickly and lose their shape.) Layer the bottom of the baking dish with prepared ladyfingers.
- Place half of the cream mixture on top and spread out with a spatula.
- Repeat with the remaining ladyfingers and spread out the other half of the cream mixture on top of the second layer of the ladyfingers. Smooth the surface. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, dust the tiramisu with natural cocoa powder and enjoy!
Notes
You can make individual servings by using glasses. Break the ladyfingers up into pieces that will fit your glasses and do the same soaking and layering as the recipe states.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 176
- Sugar: 5.7g
- Sodium: 59mg
- Fat: 8.6g
- Saturated Fat: 4.8g
- Carbohydrates: 17.8g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 5.3g
- Cholesterol: 92mg
About the Author
Sharon Chen is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and author of the Complete Sous Vide Cookbook. She believes food not only brings healing but also connection. As the creator of StreetSmart Kitchen, she aims to make meal prep easier than ever and help you find balance, ease, joy, and simplicity in the kitchen as you improve your well-being.
Why can’t we dust the top of the Tiramisu before putting it in the refrigerator to chill? I am making it 2 days in advance of serving and won’t be able to dust it before serving.
Also, why so much coffee when all it is used for is very quickly dipping the savoiardi in? That’s a lot unless you plan on using what is left poured over ice for all your good work. Now that makes sense! Especially with the Kahlua!! Ha ha.
Thanks. Please reply about my 2 questions. I have asked on other sites and no one returns the answers. I hope that isn’t the case with you. 🤞😕
Hello Terry! Thanks for your questions and I apologize for my late response.
If you dust the top of the Tiramisu first before refrigerating, the cocoa powder will be soaked into the cream and moist will get in since you’ll be covering the whole thing. When the cocoa powder gets wet, it looks like a blanket of wet dark dust covering your Tiramisu and it’s not a good presentation at all. That’s just my preference. It won’t affect the taste too much.
You’ll be surprised at how much coffee your ladyfingers can soak up, even just for a quick dip. I always run out of coffee making this recipe. I hope my answers to your questions are helpful. Cheers!
Seriously this is the best Tiramisu I’ve ever had. It’s perfectly sweet (and I can’t believe how little sugar is in it!) and the filling is AMAZING. I’ll probably daydream about this all day today…
What are your thoughts on making the day before?
I always make this the day before. Just dust it with cocoa powder right before serving. 🙂
Nice video, Sharon. So helpful
So, the egg yolk mixture is not heated or cooked at all?
You are right. This recipe uses raw eggs. The risk of salmonella in raw or lightly cooked eggs can be a problem for some, particularly the very young, the elderly, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system. If you are worried about the safety, I would suggest you find another tiramisu recipe to try or check back in later because I am going to create a recipe without raw eggs. 🙂
Holy moly. This is the best tiramisu I’ve ever had! It is so creamy and rich, but not overpowering. I used an 8×8 and did three layers because I had frozen ladyfingers to use up. The three layers were so decadent. Wonderful recipe, thank you!
My friend is visiting and I am about to make some tiramisu again. Now I am super interested in a three-layer one. I might actually do it. Thanks so much for the idea. I am glad to hear that you enjoy this recipe! Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
I made this on Tuesday for a guy I recently started seeing. I delivered it the following night. He went crazy over it!! He has already told several people about his “lovely new lady friend who makes a mean tiramisu”! Thank you! 😉
Hahaha… That’s so awesome!!! Thank you for sharing your story, Nichole. I think you are very sweet. What a lucky guy! 🙂
Thank you!! ?
yum! I am def making this!!
This. Looks. Amazing. Thank you for sharing. Also- your pictures are beautiful! Great work!
Looks delicious! I bet this would go great with wine. I love your food photography!
My favorite! Trying this soon!
I love Tiramisu though I had never thought to try to make it on my own. Gonna have to try this out!
I had never thought about making it before either. Now, my life is not the same. I hope you like this homemade version! 🙂
This is one of my favorite desserts! Pinning!
Thank you, Hannah!
It looks too pretty to eat!! (almost) 😉 …I can’t wait to try this!
Haha… it tastes even better. Hope you enjoy! Cheers!