Tiramisu, so much has been said about this favourite Italian dessert, that I don’t think any introduction is needed whatsoever. But we’ll do it anyway!
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
History of Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a fairly recent invention, coming into being sometime in the mid 20th century. Who invented it is a bit of a contentious issue, but many credit it to an accidental recipe created by Ado Campeol, owner of La Beccherie.
The first known printed recipe of tiramisu was in the Spring 1981 issue of Vin Veneto magazine.
Is Tiramisu Difficult to Make?
Tiramisu isn’t a difficult dessert to put together, but amazingly, it is so often a terrible experience: soggy sponges (or cakes) combined with a sickly sweet filling is just not something I want to think about! So how do we make the perfect tiramisu? Let’s take a look, shall we?
How to Make the Perfect Tiramisu
The Coffee
You have to use fresh coffee, espresso is great, if not, strong fresh black coffee, made in your carafe or coffee machine. No instant, please, instant coffee has no place in desserts!
Make it strong, for a real coffee hit, as your tiramisu should have. Make it decaf, if you are afraid of not being able to go to bed after!
The Biscuits
These are savoiardi biscuits, or ladyfingers, as they are also known. They have a dry texture, and will soak up your coffee without getting soggy. The trick is not to let them drown in the coffee. Dip them for 3 seconds, shake off excess, and place in the dish. This way, they’ll have just the right amount of moisture.
Incidentally, we make our own eggless savoiardi biscuits to make eggless tiramisu, as my girls can’t eat eggs. You’ll find the recipe for eggless savoiardi biscuits here.
The Creamy Filling
This is achieved with an egg and mascarpone mix. Playing with the number of egg yolks will affect the creaminess of the filling. The more the egg yolks, the creamier the filling.
Le Beccherie’s recipe only used egg yolks, resulting in a very rich and creamy filling; delicious, but perhaps a little too heavy for what is popularly an after dinner dessert. Adding whole eggs, that is the egg whites too, lightens the cream filling, and therefore the whole dessert.
The Alcohol in Tiramisu
La Beccherie didn’t use any alcohol in theirs. However, adding alcohol does take your tiramisu to another level. Marsala is traditional, rum is popular and kahlua is always a great choice.
BUT, I am a lover of Baileys, the Irish cream liqueur, and I have, for many, many years now, used only Baileys when making tiramisu, unless the clients specifically ask for, otherwise. And that’s how we’re swinging it today!
The Chocolate in Tiramisu
The chocolate must have at least 70% cocoa content, and be good of quality. You want it dark to contrast with the creamy filling, both will enhance each other.
Grate the chocolate straight onto the tiramisu, if you can. Because, touching the grated chocolate will soften and melt it, unless you have very, very cold hands! If you can’t stand the mess that makes, then, transfer he grated chocolate over with a metal spoon, sprinkling it evenly over the tiramisu.
Tiramisu Must Be Made Ahead
No two ways about it. A minimum of 4 hours, but overnight is best. This is so the flavours can develop and a certain amount of osmosis can take place!
And now, shall we get our aprons on?
If you enjoy the recipe, drop me a comment and let me know. And if you are feeling like a star, don’t forget that 5-star rating! Thank you!
If you make this recipe, post it on Instagram and tag me @linsfood
Lin xx
More Dessert Recipes
If you fancy more delectable desserts, head on over to the Desserts and Cakes pages, for yummies like:
Baileys Tiramisu, a delightful twist on an Italian Classic
Equipment
- You will need a square baking dish measuring about 23cm (9") or something similar. Or 8-10 serving glasses.
Ingredients
Egg and Mascarpone Custard Filling
- 500 g tub mascarpone
- 3 large eggs
- 60 g caster sugar
Everything Else
- 24 Savoiardi biscuits depends on the size of your dish
- 125 ml Baileys
- 125 ml strong espresso, at room temperature
- 60 g 70% dark chocolate
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
Instructions
Eggs and Mascarpone
- Beat the egg whites on high until stiff. Set aside.
- Now place the egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl and beat with the same electric beaters (no need to clean) on high for about 2 minutes, until the mixture is pale and almost mousse like in appearance.
- Tip the mascarpone in, and beat on low to thoroughly mix it in. Add 3 Tbsp of the Bailey’s, and fold it in.
- Now, gently fold the egg whites into the mascarpone and egg yolk mixture, slowly and gradually. Set aside.
Assembling the Tiramisu
- Pour the coffee and the rest of the Bailey’s into a shallow dish.
- Dip the biscuits into the coffee mix for 3 seconds, no more, shake off excess, and arrange on the base of your chosen dish in a single layer. Or in glasses as in the image here. If using glasses, you’ll have to break the biscuits to fit, and push them down, especially for the conical the martini glasses.
- Top the damp biscuits with half the mascarpone mixture.
- Grate half the chocolate all over the mascarpone layer.
- Repeat this with another layer of the coffee dipped savoiardi biscuits, the mascarpone mix and the second half of the grated chocolate.
- Cover with clingfilm and place in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours to set, even overnight, for the ideal party dessert.
- Just before you serve, top the grated chocolate with a fine layer of cocoa powder using a sieve.
Hi, I tried your recipe and it turned out amazingly! But how do I go about making a smaller portion just for two people?
Hi Tasha, I’m pleased to hear that you like the recipe.
If you hover on the serving size in the recipe card, you’ll be able to glide the number down to whatever you wish. That ought to give you the amounts you need. Round it off as you see fit.
It says 0.6 large egg, I’d just use 1 egg, small, if you can get it, but don’t worry too much.
12 g caster sugar is just about 1 Tbsp.
0.4 Tbsp of cocoa powder, just use 1/2 Tbsp.
I’m so glad you replied and thank you so much for such a helpful response. Love the recipe btw! My bad I must have missed that gliding option. Can’t wait to go make a smaller batch now ❤️
My pleasure. That gliding thing isn’t the most obvious when I think about it. I’ll see if I can change it so one doesn’t miss it. Eat an extra portion for me!
Hello! I would like to make tiramisu without raw eggs. I looked at your eggless tiramisu recipe and compared with this one, this has a higher proportion of baileys which i would prefer. Is it alright to use 125ml of espresso + 125ml of baileys and switch out the 3 large eggs with 500g of heavy cream to get the eggless version? Would this fit 8 servings and use a 23cm dish?
Hi Joanne, yes, that would absolutely work, and will feed 8-10, and yes, 23cm dish.
Really good recipe. Anyone who likes Baileys will love this Bailey’s Tiramisu. I had to feed 18 people, otherwise I would have tried it in the martini glasses. Looks wonderful. Thanks for a great recipe.
I’m really pleased to hear that, Pauline. Always a hot with my friends and clients too. Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment.
Hi Azlin, many thanks for always posting such wonderful recipes. Will be making the Tiramisu. Happy Easter, Good Health and God Bless.
Hi Maria,thank you so much for your lovely comment. Let me know how it goes, and a Happy easter to you too!
And my goodness, this sounds great too, just came from your cake page. I think this will go perfectly for the guests on Sunday. Thank you again.
A pleasure, Mandy. Let me know how it goes!
Simply amazing, I love the Baileys in it. Making this for Easter Sunday, thank you.
Awesome, thanks Judith. Let me know what you think.
Wow this looks like my kind of dessert! I love this presentation, never thought of that before!
Thank you, Sandra.
How can you possibly go wrong with cheese, coffee & chocolate! These are very classy, love them!
Thank you, Melanie.
A++++! Amazing presentation, I’ve never seen individual portions of tiramisu before. What a great idea!
Thank you John!
I love the idea of making them in individual servings, they really make a statement. Do you have a recipe for eggless tiramisu?
Hi May, I certainly do. Hoping to get it published soon, will send you a message when I do.
Oh my word, this must be the classiest tiramisu I’ve ever seen! And Baileys in there too! I’m definitely making these for Easter, thank you Chef!
A pleasure, let me know how it goes!