Tiramisu

Home / Recipes / Desserts / Tiramisu

Tiramisu dusted with cocoa powder
Desserts

Tiramisu

This tiramisu layers coffee-soaked ladyfingers with a light mascarpone cream and a dusting of cocoa. There is no baking, but it needs to chill at least 4 hours so the layers set and the flavors meld. This recipe fills an 8-inch dish and serves nine. It uses a cooked egg yolk base for a safe, silky cream.

Prep30 min
Cook0 min
Total30 min
Serves9
Makes1 dish
LevelIntermediate

Ingredients

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 16 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled
  • 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur (optional)
  • 24 ladyfinger cookies
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

  1. Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until it thickens slightly and coats a spoon, about 5 minutes. Cool completely.
  2. Whisk the mascarpone into the cooled yolk mixture until smooth.
  3. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks, then fold it into the mascarpone mixture.
  4. Stir the coffee and liqueur together in a shallow dish. Dip each ladyfinger briefly, just a second per side, and layer half in an 8-inch dish.
  5. Spread half the cream over the ladyfingers. Add a second layer of dipped ladyfingers and the rest of the cream.
  6. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight. Dust with cocoa just before serving.

Tips and variations

  • Dip the ladyfingers quickly. Soaking them too long makes the tiramisu soggy.
  • Cooking the yolks makes the cream safe to eat and still silky.
  • Chill at least 4 hours so the layers firm up and slice cleanly.
  • Dust with cocoa right before serving so it stays dry and even.

Save it to your Recipe Box

Copy this one onto a 4x6 card. Title across the top, the ingredients down the left, the six steps down the right, and Serves 9, Prep 30, Chill 4 hours along the header. File it behind the Desserts divider. Built to outlast the screenshot.

Get the Recipe Box
Albino Monkey wooden Recipe Box with cards and dividers

Common questions

Is tiramisu safe with raw eggs
This version cooks the egg yolks into a custard base, so there are no raw eggs. It stays silky and safe to serve.
How long should tiramisu chill
At least 4 hours, and overnight is better. Chilling lets the ladyfingers soften and the flavors blend so it slices neatly.
Can I make tiramisu without alcohol
Yes. Leave out the coffee liqueur and use strong coffee alone. The flavor is still rich and classic.
How long does tiramisu keep
Covered in the fridge, it keeps about 3 days. The texture is best in the first two days.

More dessert recipes

Keep the ones that work

When a recipe earns a repeat, it deserves a card. The Albino Monkey Recipe Box keeps your handwritten favorites on real wooden dividers, Breakfast through Favorites.

See the Recipe Box
Albino Monkey wooden Recipe Box with cards and nine wooden dividers