Tiramisu gets a bad rap
I recently made tiramisu. And I’m shocked to tell you, but it was way easier than I anticipated.
Italian desserts get a bad rap for being complicated because a lot of them have to chill for several hours, however the steps are actually fairly easy. The difficulty of this recipe is probably a 3/10 for someone with decent baking experience. If you’re a newbie, maybe a 7, but still totally doable, so without further ado.
How to make tiramisu
This recipe really has two steps. The cream step and the lady finger step. Thinking about the recipe in two steps makes it all a little more attainable and shows how easy it really is. Alternatively, you could make the lady fingers from scratch which would of course make this recipe more involved. However, I am using store bought lady fingers.
Cream step.
• 1.5 cups cream
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 8 oz mascarpone cheese
Here’s the cream step in photos.
Lady finger step.
• 1- 8 oz package of lady fingers (find them in the bakery)
• 1.5 cup espresso or coffee (chilled) – I used cold brew concentrate and water so it was already cold, but espresso is classically what you use.
• 2 Tbs liquor of choice (Kahula, brandy or similar) or skip if desired -add the liquor to your coffee.
Here’s the lady finger step in photos
Ingredients for easy tiramisu
- 1.5 cups cream
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese
- 1 – 8 oz package of lady fingers (find them in the bakery)
- 1.5 cup espresso or coffee (chilled) – I used cold brew concentrate and water so it was already cold.
- 2 Tbs liquor of choice (Kahula, brandy or similar) or skip if desired
- Cocoa powder or espresso powder for sprinkling on top
- 8×8 glass pan
- Bowls for mixing, mixer or stand mixer, spatula
Recipe
For the cream:
Blend the cream, sugar & vanilla with a mixer til you make whipped cream, with stiff(ish) peaks that can hold their shape.
Next add 8oz mascarpone cheese. Mascarpone can be subbed for cream cheese, (but don’t do it), classic tiramisu uses mascarpone.
The cheese will blend in quickly and easily to the whipped cream. Set the cream aside. Later, the tiramisu cream will go on top of the soaked lady fingers in the next step.
For the ladyfinger step:
Add preferred liquor to your coffee (if desired, or skip).
Separate the lady fingers into individual cookies. They should make 2 layers in an 8×8 pan.
Lightly dunk each lady finger into the coffee mixture. Don’t let them soak, you want them to keep their shape.
Set in the pan, until one row is complete.
After that, take your cream mixture and spread half of it, on the bottom layer of the lady fingers.
Then repeat both steps again for a second row, using up the rest of the lady fingers and cream.
Lastly, top with a sprinkle of cocoa or espresso powder. Let the tiramisu chill for at least 3-4 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator.
Now, you’re done and it’s time to enjoy the fruit of your labor! If you love fancy desserts, check out my tutorial for Creme Brulee or my super easy cake idea just in time for Easter.