Name: Easy Traditional Tiramisu Dessert Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 6 h 30 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 20 lady fingers; 2 cup coffee, brewed; 1 tablespoon rum; 1/2 cup sugar; 1.5 lb mascarpone; 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

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This easy tiramisu dessert recipe is sure to become your go-to recipe when serving guests. Loaded with rich creamy flavor and just a hint of coffee and rum, it's a decadent dish that never fails to impress everyone at your table. Simple ingredients combine together to create a decadent dessert that is perfect in every single bite.

Easy Tiramisu Dessert

If you've never had tiramisu, imagine a soft moist cake combined with your favorite cheesecake and a hint of coffee. While that may not be the best description, it is the one that rings true with me the most. Layers of coffee and rum softened lady finger cakes are covered in a decadent mascarpone filling. A light dusting of cocoa powder on top is the perfect accent to what might otherwise feel almost too rich to eat.

This dessert is a perfect choice for serving to guests or special events. It's just special enough to be a little extra but isn't terribly difficult to make. The hardest part is waiting for the mixture to chill completely before serving. If you like this, then you will probably love this New York style cheesecake or Fanny's roasted blueberry cheesecake with candied meyer lemon. They are so creamy and delicious!

Is Tiramisu a Cake or Dessert?

It is a chilled dessert that includes the cakelike lady fingers. Some have referred to it as a no bake cake. I have often heard it called a refrigerator dessert or an icebox cake. In general, it is just a truly delicious dessert and that's the important part!

Can Kids Have Tiramisu?

Despite the addition of rum in the dipping mixture for the lady fingers, this is a safe recipe for children to eat. There is only 1 tablespoon of rum in the entire batch, so the amount of alcohol is practically undetectable in the recipe. If you prefer, you can also leave out the rum and use rum extract instead. It gives the same flavor without the alcohol.

What All Can I Use for the Cake Portion in Tiramisu?

The traditional tiramisu dessert includes lady fingers. These little cake bites are long and shaped like a finger, thus the unusual name. Sense they are fairly dense, they soak up the coffee and rum mixture perfectly to keep a nice moist cake with great flavor. Other items I've used with success are below.

Pound cake
Sponge cake
Biscotti (tends to be harder than I prefer but can work)
Panettone or Stollen
Shortbread

How Long is Tiramisu Good For?

Tiramisu is best eaten within 3-4 days of preparation. You can make ahead of time and store for 1-2 days before serving. If you want to make it a significant time in advance, it can be frozen with great results. Simply wrap and label well and use within 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best results and flavor for serving.

Are the Raw Eggs Safe to Eat in Tiramisu?

While raw eggs in any dish are a bit of concern, it is very rare to see a case of salmonella. Since most eggs purchased in grocery stores are cleaned and pasteurized, it is much safer to consume raw than it was in previous times. When combined with other ingredients, it creates a rich filling that is delightful and traditional to tiramisu.

If you are immune compromised or are unable to find pasteurized eggs, you may prefer to use a different mascarpone filling that is not based on using whipped eggs. The combination of mascarpone, cream cheese, heavy cream, and sugar can also create a delicious creamy filling that is ideal for this recipe.

Ingredients

Lady fingers
Coffee
Eggs
Rum
Sugar
Mascarpone
Heavy cream
Cocoa powder

Suggested Kitchen Tools

How to Make Easy Tiramisu Dessert

In a double boiler, add egg yolks and ¼ cup sugar and whisk constantly over medium heat until it turns a light pale color and the sugar is completely dissolved, approximately 8-10 minutes.

Set the egg mixture aside to cool.

In a large bowl, add the egg whites and whisk until foamy.

Add the remaining sugar into the egg whites and beat until stiff peaks form, approximately 5 minutes, then set aside.

In a large bowl, add heavy cream and whip on high speed until stiff peaks form, approximately 5 minutes, then set aside.

Fold the egg yolks into the mascarpone.

To the mascarpone mixture, fold in the whipped cream and egg whites until just incorporated.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the coffee and rum, then dip lady fingers, one at a time, on both sides into the liquid.

Layer into a single layer in the bottom of the baking dish.

Spread 2 cups of the mascarpone mixture over the lady fingers.

Repeat this process creating a total of three layers - lady fingers, mascarpone, lady fingers, mascarpone, lady fingers, and finally mascarpone.

Chill the tiramisu for at least six hours.

Before serving, dust the top of the tiramisu with cocoa powder.

Serve with fresh mint or fresh sliced berries.

More Decadent Dessert Recipes

Dessert is definitely my favorite course of any meal. Decadent desserts are more satisfying to me. I find that they are something I can eat a smaller portion of and feel less guilt over. So, sharing my favorites with you just makes sense. Below are some decadent desserts that are delicious and easy enough for you to whip up at home.

Chef's Tips

When dipping lady fingers into the coffee and rum mixture, do not let them linger. You want them just moistened with flavor, not soaked and falling apart. Simply drop them in, roll to cover all sides and lay directly into the waiting baking dish.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 12