Tiramisu is probably the most loved Italian dessert in the world — and one of the easiest to get right, provided you follow a few rules. Here is the real recipe, no baking, just as it's made in Italy.
The ingredients (for 6 people)
- 500 g of mascarpone
- 4 very fresh eggs (yolks and whites separated)
- 100 g of sugar
- 300 g of ladyfingers (savoiardi)
- 300 ml of strong coffee, cooled
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
The preparation, step by step
- Prepare the coffee and let it cool completely.
- Whisk the yolks with the sugar until the mixture turns pale. Add the mascarpone and mix until you have a smooth cream.
- Whip the whites to stiff peaks, then fold them gently into the cream, from bottom to top, so as not to knock them back.
- Quickly dip each ladyfinger in the coffee — one dip in and out, no more, otherwise it soaks up and collapses.
- Lay a layer of ladyfingers, cover with cream, and repeat. Finish with a layer of cream.
- Chill for at least 4 hours (ideally overnight).
- Dust with unsweetened cocoa just before serving.
The mistakes to avoid
- Soaking the ladyfingers too long: they should stay moist, not soggy.
- Skipping the chilling time: it's what gives the creamy texture and hold.
- Adding the cocoa too early: it absorbs moisture and turns dull. Always at the last moment.
Variations
No coffee for the children? Replace it with cooled hot chocolate. Fancy fruit? A strawberry version (ladyfingers soaked in a light syrup) is delicious in summer. Purists, though, swear only by the classic coffee-and-cocoa recipe.
The secret: the quality of the ingredients
A tiramisu has only a few ingredients: each one counts. A good mascarpone, quality biscuits and a strong coffee make all the difference. Discover our selection of Italian sweets to make it properly.