Best Easy Tiramisu Recipe

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5 from 1 vote

Tiramisu made with cuban coffee

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Cooling Time4

Total Time4 15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Servings:

Calories: 535kcal

Author: Cari

Ingredients

4 large egg yolks
¾ cup sugar
12 oz mascarpone cheese at room temperature
1 ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
24 lady finger cookies
1 cup of sweetened cuban espresso 2 teaspoon of sugar per 1 cup of cuban coffee at room temperature
½ cup coffee flavored liqueur
1 ounce unsweetened cocoa for dusting

Instructions

Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler, over boiling water using a whisk to mix. Reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Remove from the heat and continue to whip yolks until thick and lemon-colored. Allow to cool briefly before mixing in mascarpone and salt. Mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, add the heavy cream and vanilla exctract. Using an electric mixer whip cream to stiff peaks.
Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone sabayon mixture and set aside in the refrigerator while you work on the coffee.
Make your cuban coffee, you can use my recipe. If you don't use my recipe, it's 8 ounces of espresso with 2 teaspoons of white sugar.
Mix the Cuban espresso with the coffee liquor in a shallow bowl. Lightly dip the ladyfingers (savoiardi biscuits) into the mixture, do not soak them! This way the lady fingers still have a bit of cookie texture, retain their shape and don't turn into mush.
Arrange ladyfingers along the entire bottom of a 9x9 baking dish. Then spoon half the mascarpone cream filling over the ladyfingers. Repeat process with another layer of ladyfingers. Finish the tiramisu with the last of the cream filling and cover with plastic wrap
Refrigerate for 4 hours, overnight for best results. Once you're ready to serve the tiramisu, it'll be firm. Remove the plastic wrap and dust the top of the tiramisu with cocoa powder.

Notes

Easy Tiramisu Recipe variations/substitutions

Don't have access to Cuban coffee? Opt for your favorite espresso coffee instead.

Don't have coffee liqueur? Opt instead for your favorite brandy, rum or marsala wine.

Want an alcohol free tiramisu? Leave it out completely and double up on the Cuban espresso.

What can you use instead of ladyfingers in tiramisu?

If you don't have ladyfingers for tiramisu, there are several substitutes you can use:

1. Sponge Cake:

Use slices of sponge cake or pound cake as a substitute. Cut the cake into strips or squares and dip them in coffee, just as you would with ladyfingers.

2. Madeleines:

These small, buttery French cakes have a slightly different texture but can be a great substitute, especially when soaked in coffee.

3. Graham Crackers or Digestive Biscuits:

For a more accessible option, graham crackers or digestive biscuits can be layered between the mascarpone cream. Though they won’t provide the same spongy texture, they’ll absorb the coffee well.

4. Pizzelle Cookies:

These thin Italian waffle cookies can be soaked in coffee and used for a unique twist on tiramisu.

What is a substitute for mascarpone in tiramisu?

If you need a substitute for mascarpone in tiramisu, there are several alternatives that can give you a similar creamy texture and rich flavor:

1. Cream Cheese and Heavy Cream:

Best substitute: Mix equal parts cream cheese and heavy cream (or milk) to soften the cream cheese's dense texture. This will mimic the smoothness of mascarpone, though it will be slightly tangier.

2. Ricotta Cheese:

Blend ricotta until smooth, and mix with a bit of cream or milk to reach the desired consistency. This gives a lighter texture, though it has a grainier feel and a mild flavor compared to mascarpone.

Best Easy Tiramisu Recipe storage

Refrigerator Storage
After assembling the tiramisu, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or store slices in an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below. Tiramisu will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Avoid Leaving at Room Temperature
Since the dessert contains eggs and dairy, tiramisu should not sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Freezing Tiramisu (Optional)
Tiramisu can be frozen if needed. Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and foil or store slices in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Serving After Storage
Serve tiramisu cold or slightly chilled straight from the refrigerator, and dust with fresh cocoa powder if needed

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