Tiramisu is one of those desserts that perfectly concludes a five-star Italian dinner either in our favorite restaurants or even at the table with family. It's a classic recipe that has been a staple in households for generations, making it something that not only gets our tastebuds dancing but also holds a special place in our hearts. Even though many have certainly indulged in more than one serving over our lives, the time comes when we need to step up to the plate and make some of our own. We're here to give you an easy tiramisu recipe that will be just like Nonna used to make!
Tiramisu Recipe
What You'll Need For The Filling:
- 6 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 1 1/4 cup of mascarpone cheese
- 4 - 5 tablespoons of Marsala wine
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 24 Savoiardi ladyfinger biscuits
What You'll Need For The Coffee Syrup:
- 1 cup of brewed espresso
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons Marsala wine
What You'll Need For The Topping:
- 3 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder OR
- Shaved bittersweet chocolate
Steps:
- Place the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and Marsala in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. The bowl should not touch the water.
- Whisk vigorously for about 5-6 minutes until the mixture becomes pale in color and thicker in texture.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for a minute or two. Once cooled, mix in the mascarpone
- In a separate bowl, mix the heavy cream until a stiff peak forms.
- Carefully fold the cream into the mascarpone mix and set aside.
- Mix the espresso, granulated sugar, and Marsala in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves.
- Quickly dip individual ladyfingers into the espresso mixture and line them in two rows of 12 on a baking sheet.
- Spread half of the mascarpone filling onto the ladyfingers and smooth.
- Repeat the process with another 12 dipped ladyfingers and place them onto the first layer.
- Add the rest of the filling onto the ladyfingers and smooth.
- To top, dust with cocoa powder or shaved bittersweet chocolate.
- Cover and refrigerate for 6-8 hours before serving.
Additional Methods
Some people enjoy topping their tiramisu with whipped cream as opposed to chocolate shavings so it's really up to you and your personal tastes. Traditional recipes call for a cocoa powder dusting to really add to the finished product, but feel free to make it your own!
If you don't particularly like the taste of espresso (it can be really strong for many people) then you can sub it out for hot chocolate. Additionally, some people don't enjoy the taste of mascarpone, in which case you can substitute with cream cheese or whipped cream. Some people even like mixing the two and using it that way!
Putting together a tiramisu doesn't need to be a difficult process. Gone are the days of trying to impress family members or live up to the recipe you indulged in as a kid. Make it your own and live life to your tastes, swapping out whatever ingredients don't work for you with something you know you'll enjoy. Bringing homemade tiramisu to the table for dessert is enough to get people to love you!