Tiramisu – Proper Italian Recipe!

Let’s talk Tiramisu.
The name sounds fancy, but the recipe? Shockingly simple.

It’s creamy.
It’s dreamy.
It’s got that bold hit of coffee, that soft sponge, that chill cocoa dust on top. And guess what? You don’t even need to bake it.

I used to think Tiramisu was for pros only. Like, the kind of dessert you'd only get at a candlelit Italian place with a violin playing in the background. But nah — turns out, you can totally whip this up in your kitchen in about 10 minutes.

No stress. Just layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, rich mascarpone cream, and a good dusting of cocoa. That’s it.

What Even Is Tiramisu?

Alright, so Tiramisu is one of those desserts that feels fancy but is secretly pretty chill to make. It’s a layered Italian dessert made of coffee-dipped ladyfingers (aka spongey cookies), creamy mascarpone filling, and a dusting of cocoa powder. It’s got that perfect combo of sweet and bold — and it somehow gets better the longer it sits in the fridge.

Name literally means “pick me up” in Italian. And yeah… after one bite, you’ll get why.

Why You’re Gonna Love This Version

This isn’t the version that takes hours or requires whipping egg yolks over a double boiler. Nope. We’re skipping the eggs, keeping the mascarpone, and going heavy on the flavor.

Why this recipe rocks:

• No eggs — so it's safer and quicker.
• No baking — keep your oven off.
• Simple ingredients — most of them are probably in your kitchen already.
• Tastes just like the real deal — creamy, rich, and coffee-forward.
• It chills in the fridge while you chill on the couch

What Goes in Tiramisu (Ingredients)

Here’s what you’ll need — nothing weird, promise:

• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
• 8 oz mascarpone cheese (room temp — don’t skip this)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups cold espresso (or strong brewed coffee)
• 3 tbsp coffee liqueur (optional, but yum — think Kahlua)
• 1 pack of Ladyfingers (Savoiardi is the OG brand)
• Cocoa powder (for that lovely top layer)

That’s it. No eggs, no fuss.

Do I Have to Use Alcohol?

Nope. Totally optional. But let’s talk about it.

Adding coffee liqueur (like Kahlua) or Marsala wine adds depth to the flavor — makes it feel a little more grown-up. But you can leave it out and still have a delicious Tiramisu.

Kid-friendly? Skip the booze.
Want to impress your dinner guests? Splash it in.

And just a note: it’s not gonna get you drunk. We’re talkin’ like 1–2 tablespoons over the whole dessert.

How to Make Tiramisu

1. Whip the Cream

Grab your electric mixer (or your biceps, but good luck).
Beat the whipping cream until soft peaks form. While it's going, slowly add the sugar and vanilla.

2. Fold in Mascarpone

Gently fold the mascarpone into the whipped cream. Don’t overmix — just blend it all until smooth and dreamy.

3. Dip the Ladyfingers

Mix your coffee + liqueur in a shallow dish.
Quickly dip each ladyfinger — like super quick, no soggy fingers, okay? Just a second on each side.

Layering Up!

Time to stack:

• First layer: Dip ladyfingers → lay them flat in an 8x8 dish.
• Next: Spread half of the mascarpone cream on top. Smooth it out.
• Then: Another layer of dipped ladyfingers.
• Finally: The rest of the cream — go all out, smooth that top beautifully.

Dust the whole thing with cocoa powder using a fine mesh strainer. Looks pro. Tastes even better.

Now chill it in the fridge for 4 hours minimum. Overnight? Even better.

If You’re Thinking About an Italian Dinner Party…

Tiramisu is the mic drop.
You can prep it way ahead. Pull it out after a pasta feast, and bam — everyone’s impressed.

It’s also cold, which is nice after hot spaghetti and garlic bread.