Description
Discover the BEST Classic Italian Tiramisu recipe, a luscious and creamy dessert that masterfully balances the rich flavors of mascarpone cheese, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, and cocoa powder. This authentic Italian dessert is light, velvety, and perfectly sweetened to highlight the bold coffee notes, making it the ultimate indulgence for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Mixture
- 16 oz Mascarpone cheese (450g), cold from the fridge (recommend Galbani)
- 4 egg yolks
- 2/3 cup granulated or caster sugar (133g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled (360g) OR 4 egg whites
Assembly
- 30-36 ladyfingers
- 1 1/2 cup strong black coffee, room temperature (360g)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and pale in color, indicating that the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has thickened. Then gently fold in the mascarpone cheese until smooth and velvety.
- Whip the Cream or Egg Whites: In a separate bowl, if using heavy cream, whip it until stiff peaks form. If opting for egg whites, whisk them until firm peaks develop. Carefully fold the whipped cream or egg whites into the mascarpone mixture, maintaining a light and airy texture without deflating the mixture.
- Prepare the Coffee Soak: Brew strong black coffee and allow it to cool to room temperature to avoid soggy ladyfingers when dipped. This coffee soak is essential for infusing the ladyfingers with rich flavor.
- Assemble the Tiramisu: Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee, ensuring they are soaked but not soggy, and layer them evenly on the base of your serving dish. Spread half of the mascarpone cream mixture over the ladyfingers. Add another layer of dipped ladyfingers on top, then cover with the remaining cream mixture.
- Chill and Set: Cover the tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the dessert to set properly.
- Serve: Before serving, generously dust the top of the tiramisu with cocoa powder using a fine sieve for a beautiful, classic finish.
Notes
- This tiramisu recipe provides a comprehensive guide to creating the classic Italian dessert with a creamy, light texture and a perfect balance of sweetness.
- If using egg whites, divide the sugar into two portions of 1/3 cup each to beat separately with yolks and whites for optimal texture.
- Use a strong black coffee for authentic flavor; espresso works best but a robust brewed coffee is suitable.
- For food safety, if using raw eggs, consider using pasteurized eggs or alternatives like whipped cream.
- Chilling the tiramisu for at least 4 hours is crucial to develop the flavors fully and achieve the right consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/10th of recipe)
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg
