This classic Italian coffee-flavored TIRAMISU is a creamy flavorful no-bake dessert. It comes in two versions – the classic one using eggs AND a 20-minute quick version. Truly one of the best desserts you can make in your entire life!

I’ve never been this excited during this whole quarantine stay. But now I get to finally share with you this iconic Italian coffee-flavored dessert that I’ve been shamelessly eating for the past few weeks. This Tiramisu has made its way to my breakfast table, and boy what a joy it has been. 

Yep, I’m not going to lie. I ate Tiramisu for breakfast, and not just once.🤫😉

And since I want you to experience the same ecstatic joy that I felt with this homemade tiramisu dessert, I’m bringing you right here on the blog T-W-O versions – the classic one (coz it’s really gooood) and the quicker 20-minute version (coz the quicker, the better..right?).

So buckle up and get ready for this drool-worthy classy, easy, tasty dessert!

What is Tiramisu?

Tiramisu, which literally means “pick me up” or “cheer me up” (hey…what a name!), is an iconic Italian dessert known for its coffee flavor and wonderful layers of ladyfingers, creamy sweetened mascarpone mixture and cocoa.

This dessert was said to be invented in the 1960s at a restaurant in Italy. Over the years, the short list of ingredients (finger biscuits, egg yolks, cocoa powder, sugar, coffee, mascarpone cheese, and sometimes liquor) has evolved into many variations with various notable shapes. Tiramisu is usually eaten cold.

What are Ladyfingers?

Ladyfinger is also known as savoiardi in Italian, sponge fingers in British English and Boudoir in French. It is a low-density, dry, sweet, and finger-shaped sponge cookie or cake. They’re perfect for this tiramisu dessert as they absorb the coffee mixture (or any syrup at all) without getting soggy. That’s why they’re mostly used as a base for no-bake desserts with a lovely creamy-cake texture. You can buy them in Italian markets, large grocery stores (Trader Joes, Walmart, and etc), or on Amazon.com.

Classic Tiramisu 

There are actually 3 layers to the classic version of tiramisu. As always, if you’re kinda hesitant with the egg version, you can always make the quick version that I included in this recipe.

But for those who love to try the traditional one, here are the layers that make this sinfully good dessert.

• Ladyfingers drizzled with espresso mixture
• Creamy mascarpone cheese mixture
• And just a thin layer of Homemade Whipped Cream to hold everything together.
• Of course, cocoa for dusting and topping

As you can see, it has loads of flavors in it without overpowering each other. You get to taste the earthy, nutty, and aromatic charm of coffee, then a lightly sweetened creamy mascarpone cheese, and cocoa as a topping.

It may look and sound quite daunting to make for others. So here I also made the 20-minute version of it which surprisingly taste waaay decent than I thought it would.

20-Minute Easy Tiramisu

For this quick version, instead of making that fantastic mascarpone mixture as the creamy layer, I leaned on the Homemade Whipped Cream instead. It has that same melt-in-your-mouth taste but with a much more defined espresso flavor from the espresso-dipped ladyfingers and espresso drizzle.

Honestly, a 20-minute dessert sounds incredibly good for a dessert-lover like me.

Recipe Substitutions

With our current situation now, not all ingredients may be easily available for most of us.

Ladyfingers. If you can’t find any ladyfingers in your area, you can swap it with commercially produced cookies (like I used in this Banana Pudding). Another good substitute would be a plain sponge or an angel cake.

Rum. As for the rum, you can swap it with brandy, amaretto or Grand Marnier. Rum extract is a good substitute, too, if you want it alcohol-free. Or you can OMIT it completely, especially when serving it to kids.

Mascarpone Cheese. And for the mascarpone cheese, feel free to switch it to cream cheese since it has as much fat as the mascarpone cheese.

Can You Make Tiramisu without Using Eggs?

Yes, you certainly can. So instead of making the mascarpone egg mixture in the classic version, feel free to try the quicker version which is just mainly mascarpone cheese, sugar, cream, and vanilla and more whipped cream in between layers. 

Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions

Tiramisu is a fantastic make-ahead dessert. Just make the recipe as directed until step #8 or right before layering it with the last batch of ladyfingers and whipped cream. Tightly cover it with a plastic wrap, then with an aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, proceed with the topping process, thaw it overnight in the fridge, and serve the following day.

This Italian dessert can also be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, THAT is if you have any leftovers. Coz honestly, I doubt if there’ll be. Enjoy!

More Crowd-Pleasing Specialty Dessert

• New York Cheesecake
• Watergate Salad
• Crème Brûlée
• Flan Recipe

 

How To Make Tiramisu

 

Classic Tiramisu with Eggs

In a medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until combined. Whisk in milk and cook over medium/low heat stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. 

Whisk mascarpone cheese into yolk mixture until smooth. In a small mixing bowl, mix espresso, rum, vanilla, and coffee liqueur. For alcohol-free, mix together espresso and vanilla. Set aside. 

Assembling

Dust the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder. Lay ladyfingers across the bottom of baking dish round side up covering the entire bottom. Ladyfingers can be cut in order to fill any gaps. Drizzle with espresso mixture. Using a rubber spatula, spread half of the mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers. Follow with a thin layer of homemade whipped cream. Add another layer of ladyfingers, drizzle with espresso mixture, follow with mascarpone mixture.

Finish with a thicker layer of homemade whipped cream. Dust with remaining cocoa powder. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 24 hours is ideal. Slice or scoop to serve.

Quick Tiramisu

To start place medium mixing bowl and beaters in the fridge, until ready to use. Remove beaters and bowl from the fridge add cream, sugar, vanilla and start mixing the cream on low using beaters – (alternatively these can be made in a stand mixer too). As soon as bubbles form, switch to medium speed. Mix until soft peaks form About. Add Mascarpone cheese and continue whipping to medium peaks. Set aside.

Assembling

 

Dust the bottom of a 8 x 8 dishpan with cocoa powder. Set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, mix espresso, sweet wine, and rum or brandy. Set aside. Then dip each side of a ladyfinger for about 1-2 seconds into the coffee and place in the pan in a single layer. It’s very important that you lightly dip in the coffee. If you let it dip longer, it will fall apart. Repeat until you have an even layer of ladyfingers on the bottom. Cut fingers in half or as needed to fill any space. Drizzle espresso mixture over ladyfingers. Using a rubber spatula, spread a layer whipped cream. Add another layer of ladyfinger, drizzle with more espresso mixture, follow whipped cream. Dust with remaining cocoa powder. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 24 hours is ideal. Slice or scoop to serve.

 

Watch How To Make It

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