Classic Italian Tiramisu (Print)

A creamy Italian dessert with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cheese, chilled for hours.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
02 - 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
03 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar

→ Eggs

04 - 2 large egg yolks, room temperature

→ Liquids

05 - 3/4 cup strong brewed coffee or espresso, cooled
06 - 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur (optional)

→ Cookies

07 - 24 ladyfinger biscuits (savoiardi)

→ Topping

08 - Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting
09 - Dark chocolate shavings (optional)

# How to Make:

01 - Whisk egg yolks with powdered sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, creating a double boiler. Whisk continuously for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes pale in color. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
02 - In a clean mixing bowl, beat the cold heavy cream using an electric mixer or whisk until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
03 - Gently fold the mascarpone cheese into the cooled egg yolk mixture until smooth and well combined. Then carefully fold in the whipped cream until fully incorporated, maintaining a light and airy texture.
04 - Combine the cooled coffee with coffee liqueur in a shallow dish wide enough to dip the ladyfingers.
05 - Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture for just 1-2 seconds per side. The biscuits should be moistened but not saturated or soggy. Work efficiently to prevent them from becoming too soft.
06 - Arrange half of the dipped ladyfingers in a single layer in an 8-inch square dish. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the biscuits using a spatula.
07 - Repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers, followed by the remaining mascarpone mixture. Smooth the top surface with your spatula.
08 - Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set properly.
09 - Just before serving, dust the top generously with unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine-mesh sieve. Garnish with dark chocolate shavings if desired. Slice and serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No oven required, perfect for hot days when turning on the stove feels like punishment
  • The make-ahead nature means you can actually enjoy your own dinner party
02 -
  • Over-soaking ladyfingers is the number one mistake beginners make, so trust me when I say a quick dip is all you need
  • The chilling time is not optional, those flavors need hours to mingle and the texture needs time to set properly
03 -
  • If you can find imported Italian ladyfingers, the texture difference is worth the extra effort
  • Sifting the cocoa powder from above creates that beautiful even dusting you see in restaurants

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