How To Make Tiramisu

The best tiramisu you will ever make. A layer of chocolate in the middle not only adds more chocolate flavor but a fabulous crunch against the soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone filling. Easily made a day ahead of your party, this is a great make-ahead dessert recipe!

Tiramisu. Heaven on a plate.

When I was 15 I started working at an Italian restaurant and I believe it was there that I fell in love with Tiramisu. Although, I can't really remember their tiramisu that well, I can remember the tiramisu from another Italian restaurant. I started ordering this tiramisu around 19, so its been 10 years of their glorious tiramisu.

You see there are good and bad tiramisus, it can be soo good but then sooo wrong. The worst is when you order tiramisu and get a whipped cream filling. Hello, where is the mascarpone?! I legit stop eating it, not worth the calories!

Another thing I don't like about tiramisu is when the ladyfingers are a. too dry or b. too wet. You have to find the right balance, I definitely lean towards the more soaked side of tiramisu but I don't want them drenched.

I first made my own tiramisu about 6 years ago, I remember that day so vividly my friend was over and we were baking together. Then we had to wait for the tiramisu to chill. That was hard.

Nowadays though most of my favorite/ frequently made recipes are made ahead. Whether it is preparing cookie dough or cheesecake, I love a recipe I can make over a couple of days.

Jump to:

• What are the ingredients
• How do you make traditional tiramisu
• How do you make chocolate layer pieces
• What alcohol can I put in tiramisu
• How do you assemble tiramisu
• How early can you make tiramisu
• Fancy another make-ahead dessert? Try one of these recipes: 
• Recipe Card
• Recipe Ratings & Comments

What are the ingredients

You are going to need a coffee mixture- spiked with liqueur. Some ladyfingers- Savoiardi. And a large amount of the cream filling, made mainly of mascarpone. Mascarpone is the best and I also love a thick filling, there's a time and a place for soft and fluffy filling, this ain't it.

I have made tiramisu with both the soft and hard ladyfingers. I prefer the hard for my tiramisu recipe.

You will also need cocoa powder for dusting, and since I am a chocoholic I also include some layers of pure chocolate

How do you make traditional tiramisu

In a large bowl or in the bowl of your stand mixer whisk the egg yolks and granulated sugar. You want them to become very pale in color and fluffy- this can take anywhere between 3-5 minutes.

Then add the Kahlua or Marsala Wine and salt, whisking for another 3 minutes until everything is fully combined.

Add the mascarpone cream and whisk together until combined. The mixture will be nice and thick.

In a separate bowl beat the heavy cream until medium-stiff peaks are formed.

Gently fold half of the whipped cream and then fold in the remaining whipped cream. Set the bowl aside.

How do you make chocolate layer pieces

Melt chocolate in a bowl over a pot of simmering water or in the microwave for 20-second increments. Use a spoon or squeeze bottle to draw lines of chocolate on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Place the sheet in the fridge for the chocolate to harden.

What alcohol can I put in tiramisu

My preference for Tiramisu is Kahlua or Marsala Wine, you can use Rum also or if you don't want alcohol, feel free to leave it out.

In a small bowl combine the coffee, Kahlua, and espresso powder.

How do you assemble tiramisu

Place each ladyfinger biscuit in the coffee mixture for 10-15 seconds* Place the biscuits in an 8" X 11" ish size dish, make sure to make an even layer- you may want to break the biscuits to fit. Place half of the mascarpone cream on top of ladyfinger layer.

Add chocolate pieces, then more soaked ladyfingers and the remaining cream. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours- 8 is preferred, or up to 2 days.

Sieve cocoa powder on top of the tiramisu before serving.

How early can you make tiramisu

I prefer to make this tiramisu recipe a day in advance, you can make it up to 2 days in advance.

Another dessert I love to make that is soaked in wine is my Crack Cake!

Fancy another make-ahead dessert? Try one of these recipes: 

• Chai Cheesecake Recipe
• Salted Caramel Tres Leches Cake
• Apple Pie with Cloves
• New York Cheesecake Recipe
• Chocolate Tres Leches Cake

★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

Make sure to join our Newsletter and follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

Print

Recipe Card