Classic Authentic Tiramisu Recipe Easy Homemade Italian Dessert to Impress
A classic Italian dessert featuring layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and a silky mascarpone cream, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying as a comforting treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 24 ladyfingers (savoiardi)
- 1 ½ cups strong espresso or very strong coffee, cooled
- 2 tablespoons Marsala wine or coffee liqueur (optional)
- 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
- Dark chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions
- Brew 1 ½ cups of strong espresso or coffee. Pour into a shallow bowl and stir in the Marsala wine or coffee liqueur. Set aside to cool completely (about 10-15 minutes).
- In a heatproof bowl, whisk together 4 large egg yolks and ½ cup sugar. Place over a simmering water bath (double boiler) and whisk constantly for about 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes pale and frothy.
- Remove the zabaglione from heat and let it cool slightly. Gently fold in 1 cup of mascarpone cheese until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup of chilled heavy cream until soft peaks form. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until smooth and airy.
- Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the cooled espresso mixture for about 1-2 seconds per side. Do not soak too long to avoid sogginess.
- Arrange a single layer of dipped ladyfingers in a 9×9 inch dish. Spread half of the mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers evenly. Repeat with another layer of soaked ladyfingers and top with the remaining cream.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Just before serving, dust the top generously with unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine mesh sieve. Add dark chocolate shavings if desired.
Notes
Use the double boiler method to cook egg yolks for safety and silky texture. Do not soak ladyfingers too long to avoid sogginess. Chill at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor and texture. For dairy-free or vegan options, substitute mascarpone and cream accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the tiramisu
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 27
- Saturated Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
Keywords: tiramisu, Italian dessert, mascarpone, espresso, easy tiramisu, classic tiramisu, homemade dessert