Description
This BEST Classic Italian Tiramisu recipe delivers a creamy, light dessert with the perfect balance of sweetness and rich coffee flavor. Made with mascarpone cheese, egg yolks, and whipped cream or egg whites, it uses coffee-soaked ladyfingers and is finished with a dusting of cocoa powder. Ideal for impressing guests with an authentic Italian treat that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Cream Mixture
- 16 oz Mascarpone cheese (450g), cold from the fridge
- 4 egg yolks
- 2/3 cup granulated or caster sugar (133g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled (360g) OR 4 egg whites
Assembly
- 30-36 ladyfingers
- 1 1/2 cup strong black coffee, room temperature (360g)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Coffee: Brew a strong black coffee and let it cool to room temperature. This will be used to soak the ladyfingers, imparting rich flavor to the tiramisu.
- Mix Egg Yolks and Sugar: In a large bowl, whisk together the 4 egg yolks and 2/3 cup sugar until the mixture becomes pale and creamy. This step ensures that the yolks are smooth and sweetened effectively.
- Add Mascarpone and Vanilla: Gently fold the cold mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract, and salt into the egg yolk mixture until smooth with no lumps.
- Whip Cream or Egg Whites: In a separate chilled bowl, whip the 1 1/2 cups heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Alternatively, whip 4 egg whites to stiff peaks if you prefer a lighter texture. If using egg whites, divide the sugar into two halves, adding half during whipping and the rest later.
- Combine Mixtures: Carefully fold the whipped cream or egg whites into the mascarpone mixture to maintain airiness and create a light, creamy filling.
- Dip Ladyfingers: Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the cooled coffee—do not soak—to prevent them from becoming soggy. Arrange a layer of soaked ladyfingers in the bottom of your serving dish.
- Layer the Cream: Spread half of the mascarpone cream mixture evenly over the ladyfingers.
- Repeat Layers: Add another layer of dipped ladyfingers, then spread the remaining mascarpone cream mixture on top, smoothing it out evenly.
- Chill: Cover the tiramisu and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set properly.
- Dust with Cocoa Powder: Just before serving, dust the top generously with 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to add a rich, bittersweet finish.
Notes
- This recipe provides a complete guide to classic Italian tiramisu that is creamy, light, and perfectly sweetened to highlight the coffee flavor.
- Using cold mascarpone cheese helps maintain the creamy texture without graininess.
- Quickly dipping ladyfingers in coffee prevents sogginess for the ideal texture.
- Chilling the dessert for several hours or overnight is crucial for best flavor and texture development.
- You can substitute whipped egg whites for heavy cream for a lighter tiramisu, adjusting sugar accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10 of recipe)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
