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Recipe For Tiramisu
5 from 84 votes

Recipe For Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a layered Italian dessert featuring a custard made from egg yolks, sugar, and milk blended with mascarpone cheese, combined with whipped cream, and layered with espresso-soaked ladyfingers. The dessert is finished with a dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder. The creamy filling contrasts with the coffee-flavored sponge for a rich yet airy treat.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Additional Time
5 hrs
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 523 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

For the filling:
  • 6 egg see note 1, yolk
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1 pound mascarpone cheese (see note 2)
For the whipped cream:
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cake:
  • 1/4 cup espresso or strongly brewed coffee, chilled (see note 3)
  • 2 tablespoons dark rum (see note 4)
  • 2 (3 ounce) packages lady fingers (see note 5)
  • cocoa powder for dusting (see note 6, unsweetened

Instructions

To make the filling:
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until well blended. Stir in milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly.
  2. Boil for 1 minute; remove from heat. Pour into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, placing wrap directly on the surface of the custard. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour. Remove mascarpone cheese from the refrigerator so it softens while the custard chills.
  3. In an electric mixer fit with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a spatula, blend chilled custard with softened mascarpone cheese until smooth. Set aside.
To assemble the cake:
  1. To make the whipped cream, in an electric mixer fit with the whisk attachment, or with an electric hand mixer, beat cream and vanilla until stiff peaks form. 
  2. In a small bowl, combine chilled espresso and rum. Separate the lady fingers horizontally and arrange a single layer in the bottom of an ungreased 11-inch by 7-inch baking dish (about 16 lady fingers).
  3. Brush with the espresso-rum mixture. Spread half of the custard mixture over the lady fingers, then top with half of the whipped cream.
  4. Repeat with remaining lady fingers brush with the espresso-rum mixture, remaining custard mixture, and remaining whipped cream. Sprinkle with cocoa as desired (1 tablespoon or up to ¼ cup). Refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. Store covered in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Store leftover tiramisu covered in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • Egg yolks are used exclusively for the custard; save egg whites for other uses like meringue or freeze for later.
  • If mascarpone is unavailable, mix softened cream cheese with heavy cream as a substitute.
  • Use strongly brewed espresso or coffee chilled for soaking ladyfingers; instant espresso powder diluted with hot water also works.
  • Dark rum can be replaced with light rum, coffee liqueur, brandy, cognac, or sweet Marsala wine; rum extract mixed with water is an alternative.
  • Choose Italian ladyfingers or similar dry sponge cookies for best texture in layering.
  • Use unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting to add bitterness that balances sweetness.
  • This recipe yields about eight generous slices depending on serving size.

Nutrition Information

Calories 523kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 44g (68%) Saturated Fat 26g (130%) Cholesterol 257mg (86%) Sodium 62mg (3%) Potassium 78mg (2%) Sugar 20g (40%) Vitamin A 1568IU (31%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 144mg (14%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 523

% Daily Value*

Calories 523kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 44g 68%
Saturated Fat 26g 130%
Cholesterol 257mg 86%
Sodium 62mg 3%
Potassium 78mg 2%
Sugar 20g 40%
Vitamin A 1568IU 31%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 144mg 14%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.