Tiramisu is one of the world’s most famous Italian desserts that comes from Treviso (near Venice). It’s a delicious dessert that only contains 6 ingredients, and is easy to make at home.
The dessert is made of savoiardi biscuits dipped in coffee, and layers of a cream made of sugar, egg yolks and mascarpone. There are many different versions of Tiramisu, but this is a traditional recipe from Italy.
Traditional Tiramisu
Ingredients
- 4 cold egg yolks
- 2 dl 0,8 cup icing sugar (120 grams / 4,2 oz)
- 500 grams 17,5 oz of mascarpone
- 25-30 savoiardi biscuits
- 1.2 dl 0,5 cup espresso or strong coffee
- Cocoa to powder on top
Instructions
- Whisk egg yolks and icing sugar in a large bowl with an electric whisk on medium / high speed. Whisk 2-3 minutes until it gets a white / light yellow color and creamy texture (the color depends on how colorful the egg yolks are).
- Add mascarpone and mix until it becomes smooth and creamy. Whisk for 2-3 minutes.
- Quickly dip both sides of the savoiardi biscuits in coffee and place in the bottom of a pan. Dipping the biscuits quickly is very important so they don't absorb too much coffee, which can make the cake watery.
- Spread a third of the mascarpone cream over the biscuits.
- Make two more layers with biscuits and mascarpone cream (there should be 3 layers where the last one has cream on top).
- Wrap the pan tightly with plastic wrap so no air and smells from the fridge enter the tiramisu.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.
- Powder the dessert with cocoa before serving.
Notes
Frequently asked questions about tiramisu
Can you make tiramisu without raw egg yolks?
If you don’t want raw egg yolks in your tiramisu, you can exclude it. Then mix the mascarpone cheese until it becomes creamy for about 1-2 minutes and then add the icing sugar and whisk until it gets a creamy consistency.
Without the egg yolks, you get less cream, so I can recommend making two layers instead of three.
Can you make the recipe without coffee?
If you don’t like the taste of coffee, you can exclude it from the recipe. Dip the biscuits in a tasty hot chocolate instead – something that’s also appreciated by kids.
Can tiramisu be made with alcohol?
Tiramisu can also be made with alcohol in the recipe. Marsala wine, amaretto, brandy and dark rum are common to add in Tiramisu recipes.
Add 2 tablespoons to the coffee before dipping the savoiardi biscuits or 1 tablespoon to the mascarpone cream.
How long does a homemade tiramisu last?
A homemade tiramisu lasts about 2-3 days in the fridge.
More about Tiramisu
This dessert is believed to date back to the 1960s when it was created by Roberto Linguanotto, who owned Le Beccherie – one of the oldest restaurants in Treviso. However, there are many other theories on how tiramisu was created.
It’s a simple but delicious dessert made from savoiardi biscuits, egg yolks, sugar, coffee, mascarpone cheese, cocoa and sometimes liqueur that’s added to the recipe. The original is served in a round glass, but since the Savoyard biscuits are oblong, it’s easier to make the cake in an oblong pan.
A traditional tiramisu dessert does not have egg whites in the recipe, but is something that many modern recipes include today, as well as whipped cream.
The word tiramisu comes from the Italian language and means “cheer me up” in English.
Have you tried my tiramisu recipe? Let me know what you think in the comments below!