Easy Tiramisu

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Goods.

Dip crisp ladyfinger cookies in strong coffee mix. Layer in pan with sweet mascarpone cream whipped light and fluffy. Keep going till pan's full. Dust top with cocoa powder, chill overnight. No baking needed, just time to get cold and set up right. Makes fancy dessert that tastes like it's from Italy.

Fatiha
Updated on Fri, 02 May 2025 12:23:31 GMT
A piece of tiramisu, layered with coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone, sits on a white plate dusted with cocoa powder. Pin it
A piece of tiramisu, layered with coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone, sits on a white plate dusted with cocoa powder. | zestplate.com

Ever wondered about tiramisu? This homemade Italian dessert couldn't be simpler to make. If you've tasted it at fancy places or always wanted to whip one up yourself, our straightforward approach gives you that genuine Italian flavor without any hassle. We use coffee-drenched ladyfingers and smooth mascarpone to create a treat that's just as good as anything you'd pay for at a restaurant.

Benefits Of This Homemade Tiramisu

This version beats other methods because it's so darn easy yet incredibly tasty. We've skipped raw eggs but kept all the authentic flavor you're looking for. Whether it's for a birthday celebration or just because you want something sweet, you'll get amazing results every time. Even if you've never made desserts before, you can nail this one by following our simple instructions.

Ingredients For Delicious Tiramisu

  • Heavy Whipping Cream: The foundation of any proper tiramisu
  • Mascarpone Cheese: What gives this Italian treat its signature creaminess
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance everything out
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings out the lovely background notes
  • Cold Espresso: The unmistakable flavor that makes it authentic
  • Coffee Liqueur: You can skip it, but it adds wonderful depth
  • Ladyfingers: Soft cookies that soak up all the goodness
  • Cocoa Powder: For that classic dusting on top

How To Make Tiramisu

Whip Your Cream:
Beat the heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks and holds its shape.
Work The Mascarpone:
Carefully fold it into your whipped cream for that restaurant-quality texture.
Get Your Coffee Ready:
Mix the espresso with liqueur for that characteristic coffee kick.
Bottom Layer:
Quickly dip your ladyfingers and arrange them at the bottom.
Spread The Creamy Mix:
Cover those ladyfingers with your mascarpone mixture.
Stack It Up:
Do another round of dipped cookies and cream to build it higher.
Dust The Top:
Sprinkle cocoa powder generously over everything.
Patience Pays Off:
Let it sit in the fridge so all those flavors can mingle together.

The Essence Of Italian Tiramisu

Tiramisu is all about those beautiful layers working together. Unlike baked desserts, this one gets better after sitting in your fridge. Our approach shows you don't need fancy equipment or a professional kitchen to make something truly special - just good stuff and a bit of waiting.

Mastering The Creamy Texture

The magic happens with good mascarpone. Our method gives you that velvety smoothness you'd pay good money for, without any complicated steps. The trick is getting the right consistency when you mix your cream and cheese - that's how you get those dreamy, cloud-like layers.

Balancing The Flavors

That coffee kick is what makes tiramisu special. We've worked out the perfect balance between coffee and booze. You can always adjust how strong you want these flavors, making this dessert truly yours to customize.

A rectangular dish of tiramisu with a layer of cocoa powder on top, showing a sliced portion revealing creamy layers underneath. Pin it
A rectangular dish of tiramisu with a layer of cocoa powder on top, showing a sliced portion revealing creamy layers underneath. | zestplate.com

Secrets For Amazing Results

Getting tiramisu right comes down to letting it rest. This works best when you make it a day ahead and leave it overnight in the fridge. The waiting part is what brings all those flavors together, just like they do in fancy Italian restaurants.

Add Your Personal Touch

The best thing about making tiramisu at home is you can tweak it however you want. While keeping true to what makes it authentic, feel free to adjust things to match your preferences. Maybe you want it boozier or less sweet - whatever version makes you happiest is the right one.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Skip the booze?

More vanilla works good. Just use strong coffee. Maybe add bit cream. Still tastes rich. Kids can eat it.

→ How long to chill?

Four hours works fine. All night's better though. Lets flavors mix good. Don't rush the cold. Worth the wait.

→ Can you freeze it?

Skip cocoa powder first. Wrap it real tight. Good three months cold. Thaw slow in fridge. Dust top fresh.

→ No strong coffee?

Dark brew works fine. Double up regular. Use instant maybe. Need good coffee taste. Don't make it weak.

→ Good for veggies?

Sure is - no meat stuff! Check your cream cheese. Most kinds work fine. Just dairy and eggs. Real simple stuff.

→ Getting too wet?

Dip cookies quick. Just one-two dips. Don't soak too long. Layer right away. Firm cream helps hold.

→ Taking it places?

Keep it cold boxed. Pack cocoa separate. Dust there maybe. Take backup cream. Watch the bumps.

→ Need it faster?

Buy ready cookies. Have coffee cold. Mix cream quick. Skip long chill. Still tastes good.

→ Making big batch?

Double works fine. Need bigger pan. More layers okay. Watch cream amount. Takes longer cold.

→ Want more coffee kick?

Use espresso shots. Add coffee powder. Make brew stronger. Even mocha works. Don't make too wet.

→ Cream not thick?

Beat it longer. Keep stuff cold. Check dates good. Fresh cream works best. Maybe strain it.

→ Layers falling?

Press gentle like. Keep cream thick. Don't stack high. Chill between layers. Square pan helps.

Conclusion

Love this? Try rich egg cream version next. Or make chocolate coffee layers. Both fancy but quick.

Easy Tiramisu

Quick Italian coffee treat.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 9 Servings (1 dish)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream.
02 8 ounce container mascarpone cheese, room temperature.
03 1/3 cup granulated sugar.
04 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
05 1 1/2 cups cold espresso.
06 3 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur, optional (Kahlua or DaVinci brands).
07 1 package Lady Fingers, Savoiardi brand.
08 Cocoa powder for dusting the top.

Instructions

Step 01

Add the heavy whipping cream to a mixing bowl and beat it on medium speed using electric mixers or a stand mixer. Slowly incorporate the sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until you achieve stiff peaks.

Step 02

Gently fold the room temperature mascarpone cheese into the cream mixture until well combined. Set this luscious mixture aside.

Step 03

Pour the cold espresso and optional coffee liqueur into a shallow bowl. Quickly dip the ladyfingers in this coffee mixture, ensuring they are wet but not soaked.

Step 04

Arrange the dipped ladyfingers in a single layer at the bottom of an 8x8-inch or similar sized dish.

Step 05

Spread half of the mascarpone mixture smoothly over the ladyfingers.

Step 06

Add another layer of the coffee-dipped ladyfingers on top followed by the remaining mascarpone cream.

Step 07

Dust the top generously with cocoa powder using a fine mesh strainer to achieve a beautiful finish. Refrigerate the tiramisu for at least 3 to 4 hours, or overnight, to meld the flavors before serving.

Notes

  1. You can prepare tiramisu with or without alcohol. Coffee flavored liqueur enhances the coffee's richness, but alternatives such as Marsala wine or brandy work beautifully too.
  2. For optimal flavor, consider making tiramisu a day ahead. The dessert keeps well in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days, allowing the flavors to blend wonderfully.
  3. To freeze, prepare the tiramisu completely but skip the cocoa powder dusting. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and dust with cocoa before serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • 8x8 dish.
  • Hand mixer.
  • Fine mesh strainer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 297
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 26 g
  • Protein: 5 g