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A square of classic tiramisu with a forkful removed.
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5 from 2 votes

Classic Italian Tiramisu

This Classic Italian Tiramisu is always a hit! Made with a creamy mascarpone mixture, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of dark cocoa powder, it's heaven in a baking dish! There are no raw eggs in this recipe!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
8 hours
Total Time8 hours 40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 468kcal

Ingredients

  • 9 egg yolks 160 grams
  • ½ cup sugar 99 grams
  • cup Amaretto liqueur 74 grams
  • 16 ounces mascarpone, softened to room temperature 460 grams
  • cups heavy whipping cream 511 grams
  • 2 Tablespoons confectioners’ sugar 22 grams
  • 2 cups freshly brewed espresso or strong coffee 454 grams
  • 1 ounce dark chocolate 28 grams
  • cup dutch-process cocoa powder 28 grams, plus more for dusting
  • ¼ cup Kahlua liqueur 68 grams
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 48 hard ladyfingers

Instructions

  • Place a large heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, ensuring the bowl fits snugly on top of the pan and that the bottom isn't touching the simmering water. Add the egg yolks and sugar into the bowl and cream with a whisk. Add the amaretto and whisk until the mixture is thick and almost double in volume, about 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the mascarpone, a little bit at a time, until the mixture is smooth and the cheese is thoroughly combined. Set aside.
  • In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream and confectioners’ sugar with a handheld electric mixer on medium speed until medium-soft peaks form. Then, fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture and stir well to combine.
  • Combine the hot coffee, chocolate, and cocoa powder in a small saucepan. Whisk well to melt the chocolate and evenly combine the ingredients. Then, stir in the Kahlua and vanilla. Allow mixture to cool for about 5 minutes.
  • Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture and arrange in a single layer on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Do not soak the ladyfingers too long, or they will yield a soggy tiramisu.
  • Spread half of the mascarpone cream mixture on top of the ladyfingers and smooth the top with a spatula.
  • Repeat this with a second layer of coffee-dipped ladyfingers, then top it with the remaining mascarpone cream.
  • Refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving. Or up to 24 hours. Dust with cocoa powder before serving!

Notes

Substitutions: 
  • Coffee—Espresso is traditionally used because of its strong flavor. Whether you're using regular or decaf coffee, make sure it's strong to maintain the coffee flavors in the Tiramisu. 
  • Mascarpone cheese -- While mascarpone cheese is a key ingredient in traditional Tiramisu, you can substitute it with cream cheese if necessary. Keep in mind that this will slightly alter the taste and texture of your Tiramisu. 
  • Alcohol—You can make the recipe without alcohol. While some traditional Tiramisu recipes include a splash of liquor, such as Marsala wine, rum, or brandy, it's not essential. You can simply omit it from the recipe. 
Storage: 
Tiramisu can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure to cover it well to prevent it from absorbing other flavors in the fridge. 

Nutrition

Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 249mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1219IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 2mg