Traditional Italian Tiramisu: Authentic Recipe

Experience the taste of Italy with this wonderful recipe for traditional Italian tiramisu. This classic dessert is known and loved worldwide for its delicious layers infused with espresso, velvety mascarpone cheese, and a dusting of cocoa powder. Indulge in the perfect mix of rich flavors that make this hearty tiramisu a timeless treat that you’ll just love as much as I do.

This recipe is created with simple but premium ingredients such as espresso, Italian savoiardi, mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, and cocoa powder, staying true to the authentic flavors of Italian cuisine. A big advantage is the quality of the ingredients used, which you can influence with this homemade tiramisu, so definitely don’t skimp on quality because you can tell. Follow this easy recipe to create an excellent dessert that will become a favorite in your collection of dessert recipes!

Recipe

Ingredients in this recipe

• 6 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups strong brewed espresso, cooled to room temperature
• 1/2 cup coffee liqueur
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or a few drops of vanilla essence
• 2 packages (about 7 ounces each) ladyfinger biscuits (savoiardi)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder for sprinkling

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1

• In a heatproof bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar until well combined.

Step 2

• Place the bowl over the pot of boiling water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Cook the yolk mixture, whisking constantly, for about 6 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly and turns a pale color.

Step 3

• Remove the bowl from the heat and let it cool slightly. Then beat in the mascarpone cheese until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4

• In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Then gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until completely combined and set aside for now.

Step 5

• In a shallow bowl, combine the chilled espresso and coffee liqueur. Dip each savoiardi into the espresso for about 2 seconds, but be careful not to oversaturate them and keep them firm enough.

Step 6

• Arrange a layer of soaked ladyfingers in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch dish or any similarly sized serving dish. You can also use, for example, 4 smaller serving bowls, ideally made of glass.

Step 7

• Spread half of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the savoiardi layer. Repeat with another layer of soaked savoiardi and then the remaining mascarpone mixture.

Step 8

• Cover the finished homemade tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight, so that the flavors combine and the dessert hardens sufficiently.

Step 9

• Before serving, dust the top of the tiramisu with a generous amount of unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine sieve.

Step 10

• Cut and serve the chilled Italian tiramisu dusted with cocoa powder. Enjoy the taste of Italy with every bite!