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A classic holiday or anytime dessert, this Easy Tiramisu Recipe layers soaked ladyfingers with a cream filling, topped off with cocoa powder and chocolate shavings.
Authentic tiramisu has always been and will always be one of my favorite desserts ever. There is something about the flavor that really draws me in. Anyone can make this Easy Tiramisu Recipe.
The combination of the ladyfingers, Kahlua, coffee, cream, and chocolate just make such a great pairing that you will want to go back bite after bite.
This is one dessert that we always bring to all the holiday parties, no matter what. It is the one dessert that I have and always will bring.
It is loved by so many people, and for my own selfish reasons, I love making it. I would make this all year long if I could; it’s just that good.
It’s a classic for a reason. And this is a great recipe to get you started if you’ve never made one. Bring on the ladyfinger cookies!
The hardest part about this recipe is waiting for it to set up! When I make desserts, I really want to eat them right away but trust me; Tiramisu is always worth the wait.
If you have never tried this Easy Tiramisu Recipe, then I urge you to go and make it now! You will fall in love with it, just like everyone who can’t stop making it, like myself.
Some of my other favorite holiday desserts include: Christmas Tree Cookies, Reindeer Chow Muddy Buddies and Chocolate Peppermint Cake.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE EASY TIRAMISU RECIPE:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- DO I HAVE TO USE KAHLUA?
- CAN I USE OTHER ALCOHOL?
- WHAT IS MASCARPONE?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Easy Tiramisu Recipe
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- With fun and flavorful ingredients, this is a great holiday dessert or an easy weeknight recipe.
- The layering of this is super easy! That is the fun part about this no bake dessert.
- You can control your coffee to alcohol ratio by adding more or less of one to get your favorite flavor.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Egg yolks
- Granulated sugar
- Whole milk
- Heavy whipping cream
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Mascarpone cheese
- Coffee
- Kahlua
- Lady fingers
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate shavings, optional
HOW TO MAKE EASY TIRAMISU RECIPE:
- In a small saucepan whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until smooth.
- Whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once at a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Take off the heat and place it on the counter to cool for 30 minutes. Stir it every few minutes so it cools faster. Pour this mixture into a bowl and place it in the fridge for 1 hour. Stir it a couple of times to make sure it cools down.
- While cooling, make the whipped cream by adding the heavy cream to a large bowl with the powdered sugar and vanilla. Using an electric hand mixer, whip until it just forms stiff peaks, do not over mix. Place in the fridge until ready to assemble.
- Place the mascarpone to a large bowl and stir it with a fork just to break it up. Add the first custard mixture to the bowl and whisk them together until combined.
- Add the whipped cream to the bowl and fold it in gently until there are no streaks left.
- Place the coffee and kahlua in a small bowl, stir together.
- Take the ladyfingers one at a time and dip them into the coffee mixture on both sides quickly, do not let them absorb too much liquid.
- Place them into the bottom of an 11×7 baking dish. Form one layer, you may need to break some of the ladyfingers to fit.
- Top with half of the cream, smooth it out.
- Add another layer of ladyfingers, pressing them in gently.
- Top with the remaining cream and smooth it out.
- Dust with the cocoa powder. Cover and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set. I prefer to let it set up overnight.
- Add chocolate shavings if using, slice, and serve.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
DO I HAVE TO USE KAHLUA?
If you do not want to use alcohol in your recipe, you can easily leave the Kahlua out and just use the coffee itself.
We like to use a strong coffee flavor since that is what the recipe is all about.
The coffee flavor needs to play a big role, but the alcohol does not, so feel free to leave it out.
CAN I USE OTHER ALCOHOL?
Yes! If you are not a huge fan of Kahlua, you can swap it out easily.
Some other alcohols that pair well with this classic Italian dessert include:
- Marsala Wine
- Dark Rum
- Amaretto
- Coffee liqueur (any kind)
WHAT IS MASCARPONE?
Mascarpone is the Italian version of cream cheese.
It is made from heavy cream and citric or tartaric acid.
Mascarpone cheese has a higher fat content than cream cheese because the ingredients used are different.
However, it is also easily spreadable because it is silky and smooth.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Next time you’re at the grocery store, get a few of these.
The best tiramisu recipe is the easy one!
- Chocolate Chips: Add a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips between the layers for extra texture and chocolate flavor.
- Espresso Powder: Mix a teaspoon of espresso powder into the creamy filling for a stronger coffee taste.
- Cinnamon: Dust a little bit of ground cinnamon on top of each layer for a warm, spicy note.
- Nutella: Drizzle some Nutella between the layers for a delicious hazelnut twist.
- Berries: Add fresh raspberries or strawberries on top for a fruity contrast.
- Almond Extract: Mix a few drops of almond extract into the mascarpone mixture for a nutty hint.
- Amaretto: Substitute Kahlua with Amaretto for a different type of alcohol.
- White Chocolate Shavings: Sprinkle white chocolate shavings on top for a beautiful and creamy addition.
- Toasted Coconut: Add a layer of toasted coconut flakes on top for a tropical touch.
- Mint Leaves: Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a refreshing finish and a pop of color.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
This doesn’t have to be for special occasions.
This tiramisu dessert can be for any cozy night in!
- Cream Cheese: Use cream cheese instead of mascarpone for a slightly tangier flavor.
- Sponge Cake: Substitute ladyfingers with slices of pound cake or sponge cake for a different texture.
- Decaf Coffee: Use decaf coffee instead of regular coffee if you want to avoid caffeine.
- Non-Alcoholic: Skip the Kahlua and use a coffee-flavored syrup or a splash of vanilla extract for a non-alcoholic version.
- Stevia: Use stevia or another sugar substitute instead of granulated sugar to reduce the sugar content.
HOW TO STORE:
This Easiest Tiramisu Recipe can be stored, covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
After that, the layers will start to separate and the ladyfingers will become soggy.
This can also be frozen!
To do this, prepare your tiramisu as directed (leave off the cocoa powder) then wrap the pan in plastic wrap and then foil.
Place in the freezer where it will keep for up to 3 months.
Remove to the refrigerator to defrost overnight, cut, and serve.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Make sure that your mascarpone is at room temperature, this makes it easier to work with.
- This tiramisu cake does need to chill, so do not forget that.
- You can use alcohol in dipping your ladyfingers or omit it.
- Different kind of alcohol can be used, see some suggestions above. The best thing is the one you like best.
- This classic tiramisu recipe can be frozen, see my tips above.
Want that classic dessert that everyone falls in love with?
You absolutely must make my Easy Tiramisu Recipe!
It’s one of those dessert recipes that you’ll just keep coming back for.
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this EASY TIRAMISU RECIPE let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Easy Tiramisu Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 egg yolks
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cups whole milk
- 1 ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pound mascarpone cheese room temp
- 1 ¼ cups strong coffee
- ½ cup kahlua
- 28-30 lady fingers
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- chocolate shavings optional
Instructions
- In a small saucepan whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until smooth.6 egg yolks, 1 cup granulated sugar
- Whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once at a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Take off the heat and place it on the counter to cool for 30 minutes. Stir it every few minutes so it cools faster. Pour this mixture into a bowl and place it in the fridge for 1 hour. Stir it a couple of times to make sure it cools down.⅔ cups whole milk
- While cooling, make the whipped cream by adding the heavy cream to a large bowl with the powdered sugar and vanilla. Using an electric hand mixer, whip until it just forms stiff peaks, do not over mix. Place in the fridge until ready to assemble.1 ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the mascarpone to a large bowl and stir it with a fork just to break it up. Add the first custard mixture to the bowl and whisk them together until combined.1 pound mascarpone cheese
- Add the whipped cream to the bowl and fold it in gently until there are no streaks left.
- Place the coffee and kahlua in a small bowl, stir together.1 ¼ cups strong coffee, ½ cup kahlua
- Take the ladyfingers one at a time and dip them into the coffee mixture on both sides quickly, do not let them absorb too much liquid.28-30 lady fingers
- Place them into the bottom of an 11×7 baking dish. Form one layer, you may need to break some of the ladyfingers to fit.
- Top with half of the cream, smooth it out.
- Add another layer of ladyfingers, pressing them in gently.
- Top with the remaining cream and smooth it out.
- Dust with the cocoa powder. Cover and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set. I prefer to let it set up overnight.2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- Add chocolate shavings if using, slice, and serve.chocolate shavings
Notes
- Make sure that your mascarpone is at room temperature, this makes it easier to work with.
- This tiramisu cake does need to chill, so do not forget that.
- You can use alcohol in dipping your ladyfingers or omit it.
- Different kind of alcohol can be used, see some suggestions above. The best thing is the one you like best.
- This classic tiramisu recipe can be frozen, see my tips above.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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