How long does this tiramisu recipe keep for?
As it contains raw eggs (in the form of raw egg yolks and egg whites, separated) and dairy (including the whipping cream and mascarpone mixture), this tiramisu needs to be refrigerated and consumed within three days. Because of the raw egg yolks (we use three egg yolks in our egg yolk mixture and whip the egg whites separately) and the inclusion of marsala wine, often those who are pregnant prefer to avoid tiramisu and choose not to eat raw eggs. If you're in doubt about whether eating raw eggs is safe during pregnancy, consult your GP.
Can I freeze tiramisu?
You can freeze this tiramisu recipe for up to three months. Cover the top mascarpone mixture and whipped cream layer with several layers of plastic wrap and place in the freezer. Defrost in the fridge (for food safety reasons, we don't want raw eggs, both egg yolks and egg whites, sitting at room temperature) before serving.
What alcohol is tiramisu made of?
Just like in our tiramisu recipe, tiramisu is traditionally made by dipping finger biscuits in a mixture of strong coffee (espresso mixture) and marsala (fortified wine). However, you could swap marsala with amaretto or any coffee-based liqueur like Kahlua or Tia Maria. For an alcohol-free version, replace marsala with orange juice or leave out the alcohol altogether if that's your preference. Some recipes suggest using dark as an alternative. All of these options are a great contrast to the cream layer with its stiff peaks.
What does tiramisu literally mean?
Tiramisu means "pull me up" or "pick me up" in Italian. It's certainly a dessert that will lift your mood whenever you eat it! And, this easy tiramisu recipe is absolutely delicious. Who's mood isn't lifted by a great recipe with a creamy mascarpone mixture and indulgent whipped cream filling and strong coffee kick? If you have leftover marsala wine, you can have a sip of it while enjoying this dessert.
What ingredients are almost always in a tiramisu?
A tiramisu recipe, for the uninitiated, almost always contains whipped cream in its mascarpone mixture (that includes fresh mascarpone cheese or sometimes cream cheese), raw eggs, egg yolks, coffee soaked ladyfingers (or sponge cake in place of lady fingers), cocoa powder, vanilla extract and sugar. The combination of these key items is absolutely delicious.
Don't be put off by the separated eggs (the egg yolk mixture and egg whites), they're put to good use with sugar and there's no 'eggy' flavour in this classic tiramisu recipe. In fact, the strong coffee espresso mixture is the key flavour here. Eating raw eggs is safe to do so in a homemade tiramisu if you follow the recipe (and seek medical advice, if you're pregnant). Our easy tiramisu is a no-bake dessert, just like authentic tiramisu.
What else can I make tiramisu with?
We love a good twist on the traditional tiramisu recipe and have made many in the past. 'Mangomisu' (think Wiess Bar flavours with mango and whipped cream!) would have to be our most famous fruity version, while this Tiramisu cheesecake combines two of our favourite desserts into one. For more tiramisu-inspired recipes take a look at this gallery of best tiramisu recipes of all time. Who could resist a slice of tiramisu?
How can I make tiramisu healthier?
For a healthier version of homemade tiramisu, consider our Rawmisu recipe where we've swapped refined sugar and cream for better-for-you ingredients like chia seeds, prunes and cacao.
While we use mascarpone cheese in this recipe, some recipes call for cream cheese. And, while we dust with cocoa powder for a classic tiramisu recipe look and taste, you can opt to omit this topping too or ensure you choose unsweetened cocoa powder. Some recipes call for vanilla extract in the whipped cream mixture, but we've opted for a traditional tiramisu recipe.
Is tiramisu trifle?
Yes! Tiramisu can be considered a type of trifle as it has sponge layers that have been soaked in coffee (it's the coffee soaked lady fingers that make tiramisu a memorable masterpiece) and layered with delicious, sweet whipped cream and mascarpone mixture. It should be noted that a traditional trifle is made with sponge cake dipped in brandy and custard, rather than sponge biscuits (or lady fingers, as they're often called) dipped in coffee and mascarpone (but the concept remains the same). Instead of custard, egg yolks and sugar form an egg mixture that imparts a custard-like quality.
What’s the history of tiramisu?
Tiramisu is historically said to have been born in 1800 Treviso, a city in northeastern Italy. Later, the wife of a restaurant owner and the head chef began to popularise the dessert in the latter half of the 20th century. The northern Italian origins become obvious when you think about how the original recipes called for “sbatudin” - a mixture that combines egg yolks and sugar, which was commonly used by Treviso farmers as a restorative for newlyweds.
How much alcohol is in tiramisu?
There are rumours that two portions of tiramisu have enough alcohol in them to have an effect on an individual. As the alcohol isn’t cooked down, your blood alcohol may spike slightly, but you would need to eat a lot of our best tiramisu recipe in one sitting to get yourself in any trouble!
What can I substitute for lady finger biscuits?
There are many fantastic substitutes if you can’t find any lady fingers. For instance, you could try using the typical trifle ingredient: sponge cake. This soft texture will soak up the flavours perfectly. To be more in keeping with tiramisu’s Italian heritage, I recommend trying Margherita cookies or Panettone. Margherita cookies are a sweet Italian biscuit with a vanilla flavour that will add more depth to the dessert and compliment the sugar mixture and coffee flavour. Alternatively, Panettone cut into small, ladyfinger-sized pieces will be effective too! This rich Italian bread is a dome-shaped Christmas dessert that is filled with candied fruits - another sweet addition to offset the deliciously bitter coffee flavour.
