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Classic Tiramisu Recipe

Classic Tiramisu Recipe

2019-02-15
3.5 Stars (756 Voters)
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Tiramisu Recipe - classic Italian coffee flavored dessert. Made of ladyfingers (savoiardi biscuits) dipped in coffee syrup, rich mascarpone custard, and whipped cream or whipped egg whites. for this time I chose to make my tiramisu with whipped cream but you can make it with whipped egg whites (like the traditional tiramisu). Follow this easy recipe to learn how to make one of the best desserts in the world.
DIFFICULTY
Easy
YIELDS
8
PREP TIME
40 Minutes
WORK TIME
40 Minutes
RECIPE CUISINE
Italian
INGREDIENTS FOR YIELDS

  • 5 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup + 2 Tbsp (125g) Sugar
  • 1 2/3 cups (400ml) Heavy cream, cold
  • 14 oz (425g) Mascarpone cheese, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups brewed espresso
  • 36-40 Savoiardi biscuits (Ladyfingers)
  • 2-3 tablespoons coffee liqueur/marsala/brandy
  • Cocoa for dusting

DIRECTIONS

1. Make the coffee syrup: mix hot coffee with the liqueur, pour into a large dish and set aside to cool.

2. Make the filling: place egg yolks and sugar in a large heatproof bowl and set over pot with simmering water (bain marie). Make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. start whisking constantly, until the sugar is dissolved, and the custard thickens. The temperate of egg yolk should reach 154-158ºF (68-70ºC). This step is optional (read notes). remove the bowl from heat and let cool.

3. Add the mascarpone, vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.

4. In a separate bowl whip cold heavy cream to stiff peaks. Fold 1/3 of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture. Then the remaining whipped cream. Set aside.

5. Assemble: dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture for 1-2 seconds. Place in the bottom of a 9x13 inch (22X33cm) dish. If needed, break a few ladyfingers to fit them in the dish. Spread half of the cream over the soaked ladyfingers. Repeat with another layer of ladyfingers and spread the remaining cream on top. Cover and refrigerate the tiramisu for at least 6 hours.

6. Just before serving, dust with cocoa powder.

• Check out other cake recipes and cheesecake recipes.

WHAT IS TIRAMISU?

Tiramisu is a coffee flavored traditional Italian dessert. This dessert is made of savoiardi cookies (also known as ladyfingers) dipped in coffee, mascarpone and cream custard, eggs and cocoa powder. The meaning of the word tiramisu is "pick me up" or "cheer me up”.

DOES TIRAMISU HAVE RAW EGGS?

In most traditional Italian tiramisu recipes, you will find raw eggs, and basically it’s totally fine if the eggs are fresh. There are versions of tiramisu that are made without raw egg yolks, some recipes don’t use eggs at all, some using just egg whites or using heavy whipping cream instead of eggs.

CAN I SKIP RAW EGGS IN TIRAMISU RECIPE?

If you don’t want to use raw eggs do this: whisk the egg yolks and sugar over a bain marie (double boiler). Whisk constantly, until the sugar is dissolved, and the custard thickens. The temperate of egg yolk should reach 154-158ºF (68-70ºC). Make sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. This process called pasteurizing and it’s killing bacteria’s such as Salmonella.  You can see how I make this process in the video above. This step is totally optional and if you are using fresh eggs there is no real danger. But, many people intimidate eating raw eggs so it’s up to you.

WAHT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF HEAVY CREAM IN TIRAMISU?

Instead of heavy cream you can use 4 egg whites. Beat them to stiff peaks, then fold to the mascarpone mixture. This is the Italian traditional way. But, I find that the version with the heavy cream is richer, more stable and tastes better. But, again, it’s up to you.  

WHAT CAN YOU USE INSTEAD OF MASCARPONE?

Mascarpone is a kind of high fat cream cheese with a slightly sweet taste. There is no other cheese that tastes exactly like mascarpone cheese. Although regular full fat cream cheese has a sour taste, this is the closest replacement. If you are sing cream cheese instead of mascarpone don’t expect to have the same taste, but it will be good enough for some people.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE CAN YOU MAKE TIRAMISU?

Tiramisu can be made 1 to 2 days ahead and stored (covered) in refrigerator. It will keep for up to 4 days in total. You can leave tiramisu out of the refrigerator for up to two-three hours during serving before it will begin to spoil.

WHAT CAN WE USE INSTEAD OF ALCOHOL IN TIRAMISU?

If you don’t like the flavor of alcohol in your dessert you can just omit it from the recipe.

COMMENTS (14)
  • M
    Maureen
    3/28/2019

    Hi, Can I swap the Mascarpone cheese to regular cream cheese? Cheers.

    Reply
  • S
    Stephanie
    11/27/2019

    Cream cheese is sour, whereas mascarpone is not.

    Reply
  • P
    Paul
    9/27/2019

    Love this video, very easy to follow and not long winded with a lot of talking like some other tutorial videos. I have made tiramisu twice following this recipe and they taste great! Thank you very much for sharing/teaching.

    Reply
  • S
    Sabrina barbier
    4/12/2020

    I cant seem to find any mascarpone cheese in my nearby stores what can I substitute instead ?

    Reply
  • J
    Jyotsana
    1/13/2021

    Hi Sabrina, It is very easy to make the mascarpone cheese at home. you need heavy cream and lemon. You can find the more detailed recipe on the Bigger Bolder Baking YT channel.

    Reply
  • S
    Sofi
    4/18/2020

    What is the easiest way to tell if your custards’ sugar has completely dissolved and when it’s cooled?

    Reply
  • B
    Barbra
    5/30/2020

    THANK YOU for the Tiramisu Recipe - I Have Most of The Ingredients - and ImLooking Forward to TryingYour Recipe Kind Regards Barbra, Sydney 🇦🇺

    Reply
  • R
    Roseli Kishi
    6/25/2020

    Excelente receita, adoro Tiramissu!

    Reply
  • V
    Valerie
    4/16/2021

    Hi. How do I adjust ingredients for 6 inch round pan?

    Reply
  • H
    Heather
    7/25/2021

    Is the coca powder sweetened or unsweetebed?

    Reply
  • A
    Andreea
    10/25/2021

    Hello! How many minutes should I keep the egg yolks at Bain-Marie? I don't have a thermometer.

    Reply
  • F
    Fay
    12/24/2021

    Way too much sugar! Tooooooo sweet. Half sugar will do.

    Reply
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