The Italian classic and global favorite, tiramisu is a king among desserts. It has layer upon layer of goodness that dissolves easily on the tongue, coating it with a creaminess and lightness that is unparalleled. The slight hint of liquor, the richness of mascarpone cream, and gooey ladyfingers, and the dusting of cocoa power on top offer a bitter contrast, making this a perfectly balanced dessert. From intimate dinners to large gatherings, tiramisu will be appreciated everywhere. So follow this detailed guide so you can make the perfect tiramisu every time.
Ingredients:
- 300 ml espresso, warm or room temperature
- 90 ml liquor
- 40–45 ladyfingers
- 450 gms mascarpone, cold
- 30 ml dark rum
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 100 gms granulated sugar
- 480 ml heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- unsweetened cocoa powder
Directions:
- Whisk the espresso and liquor together in a bowl. One at a time, dip each ladyfinger in the mixture, thoroughly immersing it, and then arrange it in a baking pan to create a bottom layer. If needed, cut up some ladyfingers to appropriate sizes to fill the sides and other gaps.
- In a handheld mixture or blender, beat the mascarpone and rum on medium speed. The idea is just to combine the two. Do not overmix. Set aside.
- For the egg yolks, you’ll need to prepare a double boiler. Place a heatproof bowl over a small pot with water that’s being heated over medium heat. Keep the bowl elevated. It shouldn't touch the water in the pot below. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar until it forms a light and foamy texture. Then remove from heat and immediately pour it into the mascarpone mixture. Then beat on medium speed until well combined. Set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk or beat the heavy cream and vanilla extract together. Keep mixing until stiff peaks form, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Now, gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture. Do not mix roughly or whisk. Just calmly fold the two together. Set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk the egg whites and salt for about one minute, until the mixture becomes foamy. As you keep whisking, add in the sugar. Keep beating till stiff peaks form. Make sure not to overbeat or else the whites become dry.
- Now fold this mixture into the mascarpone cream.
- Spread half the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfinger layer in the pan. Use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly and level it.
- Now dip the remaining ladyfingers in the espresso mixture and place over the mascarpone layer. Then add another layer of the mascarpone mixture. Now refrigerate this pan for about 4-6 hours.
- Bring it out and then use a sieve to dust a generous layer of cocoa powder on top. Wipe the powder off the rim of the dish. Now, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate again, for about 10-12 hours.
- Use a knife to slice into squares and serve cool.
- Tiramisu can be covered and stored in the fridge for about 3 days.
Notes, tips and tricks:
- If you want to make a nonalcoholic version, substitute the liquor with milk.
- Depending on how sweet you want your dessert to be, you can increase or decrease the amount of sugar you add to the recipe.
- For the tiramisu, you want to create an espresso that’s stronger than normal. Or if you don't have that, use very dark coffee.
- Make sure you go out and find ladyfingers before you get to cooking. You should be able to find it online or at any specialty Italian store.
- Be careful when separating the eggs and egg yolks, since the recipe ultimately uses both. Use pasturised eggs if you're worried about consuming almost raw eggs, although it is slightly cooked.
- Once the tiramisu is ready, instead of popping it in the fridge for a few hours, you can also put it in the freezer instead. Tightly cover it with plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. When you want to use it, remove it from the freezer, sprinkle cocoa powder on top and then let it sit in the fridge for at least 24 hours so it can thaw. It is then ready to serve.