This Easy Tiramisu Recipe delivers the creamy, coffee-infused decadence of the classic Italian dessert — all without complicated steps or baking. Each layer features espresso-soaked ladyfingers nestled between smooth mascarpone cream, creating a luxurious and balanced sweetness that melts in your mouth. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for dinner parties, holidays, or anytime you want something special yet effortless.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Tiramisu Recipe is creamy, rich, and perfectly balanced with the right amount of sweetness and coffee flavor. The combination of whipped mascarpone, fluffy eggs, and espresso creates that authentic Italian texture — light, velvety, and indulgent. It’s a no-bake dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, yet it comes together quickly with simple ingredients. Plus, it only gets better after chilling, making it the ultimate prepare-ahead treat.

Easy Tiramisu Recipe

There’s a reason Tiramisu is one of the world’s most beloved desserts. It’s elegant yet comforting, indulgent yet surprisingly light, and it requires no baking — just a little layering magic. This Easy Tiramisu Recipe captures the essence of the traditional Italian classic while keeping things simple enough for anyone to make at home.

The heart of tiramisu lies in its creamy filling — a smooth blend of mascarpone cheese, egg yolks, and sugar, whipped to a silky consistency that feels luxurious on the tongue. Adding a touch of vanilla extract enhances the aroma, creating a dessert that’s both refined and irresistible.

Then comes the espresso. Strong, freshly brewed coffee gives the dessert its signature flavor and depth. The ladyfingers — known as savoiardi biscuits — soak just long enough to absorb the coffee without becoming soggy. Each bite is a perfect harmony of cream and coffee, soft and firm, rich and airy.

While traditional recipes often include liqueur, this version keeps the spirit of the dish intact with optional flavor additions. A splash of Kahlúa or Frangelico (or your favorite coffee liqueur) adds warmth and complexity, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the mascarpone cream. But even without alcohol, the result is deeply flavorful and satisfying.

One of the best things about tiramisu is how it improves with time. As it chills, the flavors meld beautifully, and the texture becomes even creamier. Making it a day ahead not only simplifies your preparation but enhances the overall taste and presentation.

This homemade tiramisu doesn’t need any fancy equipment or techniques — just good-quality ingredients and a little patience. It’s a dessert that feels special enough for celebrations but simple enough to enjoy on a cozy weekend night.

Every spoonful is a balance of bold espresso, light mascarpone cream, and the gentle bitterness of cocoa dusting. It’s the kind of dessert that never fails to impress, whether you’re serving it to guests or enjoying it quietly with your coffee.

So grab your whisk, brew some espresso, and let’s make a creamy, dreamy Tiramisu that rivals any Italian café.

Servings & Time

Servings: 8–10
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 4–6 hours (or overnight)
Total Time: 30 minutes active + chilling

Ingredients

• 8 oz (250g) mascarpone cheese

• 3 large eggs, separated

• ½ cup caster sugar (superfine sugar)

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1¼ cups strong hot espresso coffee

• 2 tablespoons liqueur of choice (optional – Kahlúa or Frangelico recommended)

• 6.5 oz (200g) ladyfingers (savoiardi biscuits, about 24–30 pieces)

• Cocoa powder, for dusting

Instructions

1. Prepare the espresso: Brew strong espresso and pour it into a shallow dish. Stir in the liqueur (if using) and set aside to cool slightly.

2. Make the mascarpone cream: In a mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks and half the sugar together until pale and creamy. Add the mascarpone cheese and vanilla extract, then whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.

3. Whip the egg whites: In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining sugar until stiff peaks form.

4. Combine the mixtures: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the mascarpone mixture in two additions, being careful not to deflate the airy texture.

5. Assemble the tiramisu: Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the espresso (1 second per side) and arrange in a single layer at the bottom of your serving dish.

6. Spread half of the mascarpone cream evenly over the first layer of soaked biscuits.

7. Repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers, then top with the remaining mascarpone cream.

8. Smooth the top and refrigerate for at least 4–6 hours, or overnight for best results.

9. Before serving, dust generously with unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine sieve.

Tips

• Do not over-soak the ladyfingers — a quick dip keeps them firm and prevents sogginess.

• Chill overnight for the best flavor and texture.

• For a non-alcoholic version, replace liqueur with additional espresso or vanilla extract.

• Use freshly brewed espresso for the most authentic taste.