Name: Easy Classic Tiramisu Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 8 h 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 6 large egg yolks; 2/3 cup granulated sugar (135 grams); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 24 ounces cold mascarpone cheese (680 grams); 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (10 ml); 1 1/2 cups cold heavy whipping cream (360 ml); 2 cups cold espresso (480 ml); 1/4 cup Kahlua (60 ml) (optional); 40 to 45 ladyfingers; 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (22 grams)

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 24 reviews

I’ve got a treat for you if you’re craving that luscious, indulgent Italian dessert that always feels like a special occasion. This Easy Classic Tiramisu Recipe is my go-to when I want something elegant but surprisingly simple to pull together. Whether it’s for a family dinner or a laid-back weekend treat, this tiramisu hits all the right notes—silky mascarpone, strong espresso, and just the right touch of sweetness. Stick with me here, and I’ll show you exactly how to make it happen, step-by-step, with tips I’ve learned over many delicious tries.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance: The mascarpone mixture is creamy without being overly sweet, balanced by rich, cold espresso-soaked ladyfingers.
Simple Techniques: No fancy tools needed—just a whisk, mixing bowls, and a little patience while you gently heat the egg yolks.
Make Ahead Friendly: It chills overnight, so it’s ideal for dinner parties or prepping ahead of time.
Flexible Flavors: You can easily skip the Kahlua, add rum, or even try decaf espresso—making it your own!

Easy Classic Tiramisu, Italian dessert, homemade tiramisu, simple tiramisu recipe, creamy coffee dessert - The image shows a close-up of a piece of tiramisu on a white plate with a white marbled surface underneath. The tiramisu has three visible layers: a bottom layer of light brown soaked ladyfingers, a middle layer of creamy off-white mascarpone filling, and a top layer of cocoa powder dusted evenly in rich brown color. The texture of the ladyfingers is soft and sponge-like, while the mascarpone layer looks smooth and creamy. The top cocoa powder has a fine, powdery texture with slight indentations on the surface. Some cocoa powder is also scattered on the plate around the tiramisu, and the overall focus captures the dessert's soft and moist texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Easy Classic Tiramisu Recipe plays a vital role, from providing the signature creamy texture to that iconic coffee kick. Having quality, cold mascarpone and perfectly beaten egg yolks really makes the difference, so I always recommend shopping for fresh, high-quality products and keeping everything chilled until use.

Easy Classic Tiramisu, Italian dessert, homemade tiramisu, simple tiramisu recipe, creamy coffee dessert - Flat lay of six whole large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding a pinch of salt, a mound of cold mascarpone cheese on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl containing pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of thick cold heavy whipping cream, a small white ceramic bowl with cold dark espresso, a small white ceramic bowl with clear amber Kahlua liqueur, and a neat stack of fresh crunchy ladyfingers arranged beside a small white ceramic plate dusted lightly with unsweetened cocoa powder, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Large egg yolks: These create a rich, velvety base and help thicken the mascarpone filling when carefully heated.
Granulated sugar: Balances the bitterness of the espresso and unsweetened cocoa with the perfect level of sweetness.
Salt: Just a pinch enhance all the flavors and keeps the mascarpone from tasting bland.
Mascarpone cheese: The star of tiramisu—make sure it’s cold and fresh for a smooth, creamy dessert.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and a subtle depth to the sweet filling.
Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to medium-stiff peaks, it lightens up the mascarpone mixture for a luscious, airy texture.
Cold espresso: Strong and chilled, it brings the classic coffee flavor that tiramisu is famous for.
Kahlua (optional): A splash of coffee liqueur can add that adult twist — just remember it’s optional, depending on your preference.
Ladyfingers: Crunchy and sturdy, they absorb the coffee soak without falling apart, which means your layers will hold beautifully.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: The final dusting that gives tiramisu its iconic look and a touch of rich chocolate bitterness.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Easy Classic Tiramisu Recipe invites you to play around with it. Over the years, I’ve tried different spirits, added chocolate shavings, and even swapped the espresso for cold brew to shake things up—each variation brings something new to the table. Don’t hesitate to tweak it a bit to suit your taste, because ultimately, a tiramisu you personalize is a tiramisu you’ll savor even more.

Variation: Adding a bit more Kahlua or swapping it out with dark rum gives it a boozier kick, which my friends always appreciate at dinner parties.
Dietary modification: For a lighter version, try cutting down on sugar slightly and using decaf espresso for a dessert that won’t keep you up all night.
Seasonal twist: Mix in some fresh berries between layers or top with a drizzle of raspberry sauce for a pop of color and fruity brightness during summer.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Classic Tiramisu Recipe

Step 1: Gently Cook the Egg Yolks

Start by whisking together the egg yolks, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a large heat-proof bowl. I like to set this bowl over a simmering water bath, whisking constantly. It takes about 10-13 minutes for the mixture to thicken, lighten in color, and reach around 165°F to 170°F—that’s the sweet spot to cook it safely without scrambling. Don’t rush this step; patience here gives the custard its silky texture and sweetness.

Step 2: Fold in the Mascarpone and Vanilla

Once your egg mixture has cooled for about 5-10 minutes, whisk in the cold mascarpone and vanilla extract. I find it easiest to start folding gently to avoid lumps but be careful not to overmix since mascarpone can split if you go too far. This layer is what makes tiramisu so beautifully creamy and smooth.

Step 3: Whip and Fold the Cream

In a separate cold bowl with clean beaters, whip your heavy cream until you see medium-stiff peaks. This step is essential to lighten the mascarpone mixture so it’s fluffy without being heavy. I fold half the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture first to loosen it, then fold in the rest gently to keep that airy texture intact.

Step 4: Soak Those Ladyfingers

Mix your cold espresso and Kahlua (if using) in a shallow dish. One by one, quickly dip each ladyfinger into this coffee mixture—don’t soak them too long or they get soggy! Arrange half of the dipped ladyfingers in a single layer in a 9×13 inch pan to create the base.

Step 5: Layer and Chill

Spread half of your mascarpone filling evenly over the ladyfingers, then repeat the dipping and layering with the remaining ladyfingers. Finish by spreading the rest of the mascarpone mixture on top. Dust the entire surface with a generous layer of unsweetened cocoa powder. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, ideally overnight, to let all those flavors meld beautifully.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Keep Mascarpone Cold: I always use mascarpone straight from the fridge to avoid curdling and keep the texture smooth.
Don’t Oversoak Ladyfingers: A quick dip is enough—too long and they get mushy and ruin the texture of your layers.
Whip the Cream Just Right: Medium-stiff peaks give the perfect lightness; overwhipping can cause it to turn grainy.
Use a Water Bath for Egg Yolks: This gentle cooking method ensures safe, silky custard without any scrambled eggs disasters.

How to Serve Easy Classic Tiramisu Recipe

Easy Classic Tiramisu, Italian dessert, homemade tiramisu, simple tiramisu recipe, creamy coffee dessert - A close-up of a square piece of dessert with three distinct layers on a white plate with a white marbled background. The bottom layer is light brown soaked biscuit, the middle layer is creamy light yellow mascarpone cheese mixed with coffee-soaked biscuit, and the top layer is a smooth, creamy light yellow mascarpone cheese dusted heavily with fine dark brown cocoa powder that slightly spills onto the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love a generous dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder just before serving—that bitter chocolate note complements the sweet coffee-soaked layers perfectly. Sometimes if I’m feeling fancy, I sprinkle shaved dark chocolate or chocolate curls on top for a little texture and extra wow factor. Fresh mint leaves can add a refreshing touch if you want something a bit unexpected but still elegant.

Side Dishes

Tiramisu is rich enough to stand on its own, but I often serve it after a light meal—something like an arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or grilled vegetables. If you want a drink pairing, an espresso or a glass of chilled dessert wine like Vin Santo pairs beautifully without overpowering the dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this tiramisu in individual glasses or small jars—so pretty with alternating layers and a sprinkle of cocoa on top. It’s also super fun to make mini tiramisus using ladyfingers in ramekins for a party. Just add a little fresh berry or edible flower garnish for a wow-worthy presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your tiramisu will keep beautifully in the fridge tightly covered with plastic wrap for up to 4 days. The flavors only deepen, so leftovers taste just as amazing—if not better! Just make sure to dust with fresh cocoa powder again before serving leftover portions.

Freezing

I’ve frozen tiramisu a couple of times by wrapping it tightly in plastic and foil. It freezes okay but the texture changes a bit—the ladyfingers get softer, and the creamy filling is less fluffy after thawing. So, freezing works in a pinch, but I prefer fresh or refrigerated for the best experience.

Reheating

Since tiramisu is best served chilled, I don’t recommend reheating it. Instead, just let leftovers come to room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften slightly before serving. This way, the flavors open up nicely without sacrificing that cool, creamy texture.

FAQs

Can I make this Easy Classic Tiramisu Recipe without raw eggs?

This recipe cooks the egg yolks gently over a water bath to make a safe, silky custard; however, if you’re uncomfortable using eggs altogether, you could try a no-egg tiramisu recipe that uses whipped cream and mascarpone only, but the texture and flavor will be different.
Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso?

Absolutely! Strongly brewed coffee works just fine if you don’t have espresso on hand. Just make sure it’s cooled completely before dipping your ladyfingers to avoid sogginess or melting the mascarpone.
How long should I soak the ladyfingers?

Dipping each ladyfinger quickly—just 1 to 2 seconds—prevents them from becoming soggy and falling apart. They should be moist but still retain some firmness to hold your layers nicely.
Is there an alcohol-free option for this tiramisu?

Yes! You can simply omit the Kahlua or any rum. The dessert will still be delicious thanks to the espresso and rich mascarpone filling. For more flavor, add a splash of vanilla extract or a coffee-flavored syrup instead.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Classic Tiramisu Recipe has become a favorite in my kitchen because it feels fancy yet is genuinely easy to make. The flavors—velvety mascarpone, robust espresso, and that cocoa-kissed topping—combine into a dessert that always brings a smile. I’m confident that if you give this a shot, you’ll feel just as proud sharing it with your friends and family. Trust me, once you master this, tiramisu will become your new secret weapon for every special occasion (or whenever you’re simply craving great dessert!).