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The dessert, Mediterranean

Tiramisu

Tiramisu is an Italian dessert made with mascarpone, coffee, and ladyfingers, here for 6 people. It takes 30 minutes of active work and is made entirely the day before, which makes it an easy dessert for entertaining without cooking on the day. Rated easy and costing €2.30 per person, its success comes down to an overnight rest in the fridge and dusting the cocoa at the last minute.

A real Roman style tiramisu, creamy mascarpone and coffee soaked ladyfingers, made the night before and even better after a night in the fridge.

Tiramisu
For
6 people
Work
30 min
Total time
7 h
Prep
Prepared the day before
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.30
Calories per person
520 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Tiramisu plays on the contrast between the smooth mascarpone cream and the coffee soaked ladyfingers, which still hold a bit of structure. The bitter cocoa balances the sweetness of the cream, and the amaretto adds a subtle almond note that sets it apart from a basic version.

It is the dessert you make when you want to host without thinking about dessert on the day, a dinner with friends, a Sunday family meal, or a holiday gathering where everyone already loves this comforting flavor. It pairs well with a simple Mediterranean menu, pasta or a braised dish as a starter, and ends the meal on a note that feels both indulgent and light.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before 5 steps, 6 h
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive Nothing to do
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

Everything happens the day before, the coffee, the cream, and assembling the dish, which then rests overnight in the fridge to set properly. On the day itself, there is nothing left to do until serving. Right before sitting down to eat, dust the cocoa through a small sieve so it stays crisp and doesn't make the cream soggy.

The ingredients

6 people

Dairy

  • Mascarpone 500 g
  • Eggs 5

Pantry

  • Sugaroften in the pantry 120 g
  • Strong cold coffee 40 cl
  • Amaretto 4 tbsp
  • Unsweetened cocoa powderoften in the pantry 3 tbsp

Bakery

  • Ladyfingers 300 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The day beforeWhat's better after resting overnight in the fridge.

  1. Brew the coffee, let it cool, then pour it into a shallow dish with the amaretto.

    Cooled coffee keeps the ladyfingers from getting soggy all at once.

  2. Separate the eggs, whisk the yolks with the sugar until pale and thick, then fold in the mascarpone with a spatula.

    Take the mascarpone out of the fridge fifteen minutes ahead, it blends smoothly without lumps.

  3. Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks and gently fold them into the cream.

    Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites, they whip up faster and firmer.

  4. Layer the soaked ladyfingers and the cream in a rectangular dish, finishing with a layer of cream.

    Smooth the final layer of cream with a spatula, the cocoa settles more evenly on top.

  5. Cover and let it set in the fridge overnight. 6 h

    The longer it rests, the more the flavors blend, twelve hours is ideal.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Dust with cocoa through a small sieve right before serving.

    Do this at the very last moment, the cocoa turns soggy if dusted the day before.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use very fresh eggs since they stay raw in the cream, which matters for both flavor and food safety.
  • Don't over soak the ladyfingers in the coffee, one second on each side is enough, they finish absorbing it overnight in the fridge.
  • Choose a dish that isn't too wide and deep enough to get clean, distinct layers, it looks better when you cut into it in front of guests.

The variations

  • Swap the amaretto for rum or Marsala if you prefer a different flavor, or skip the alcohol entirely for a non alcoholic version.
  • For a fruity version, add a layer of fresh raspberries between the ladyfingers and the cream, it lightens the dessert after a rich meal.
  • For kids, make a version without coffee or alcohol by dipping the ladyfingers in chocolate milk instead, the rest of the recipe stays the same.

What to serve it with

  • A strong espresso to echo the coffee
  • Fresh berries on the side
  • A sweet wine like Vin Santo after dinner

Storage

Tiramisu keeps for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, well covered or in a sealed container. It doesn't freeze well since the cream's texture changes once thawed. Always serve it cold, straight from the fridge.

Questions about this recipe

Can you make tiramisu without raw eggs?

Yes, you can replace the yolks with a light pastry cream or pasteurize the eggs over a water bath with the sugar before whisking. The flavor stays close, the texture is just slightly firmer.

What dish works best for serving tiramisu?

A rectangular glass dish lets you see the layers, which looks great for a dinner with friends. You can also assemble it in individual glasses for a more elegant presentation.

Can you make tiramisu for more than 6 people?

Yes, simply double the ingredients and use a larger dish or two dishes. The proportions and resting time stay the same.

Why does the mascarpone need to be at room temperature?

Cold mascarpone blends poorly and forms lumps in the cream. Left out for fifteen minutes, it mixes easily with the sweetened yolks.

Can a tiramisu be made ahead?

Yes, it's even recommended. The recipe needs 30 min of work in total, split up like this, the day before, 5 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a tiramisu?

Allow 7 h in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 30 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in a tiramisu?

About 520 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a tiramisu cost?

About €2.30 per person, that's €13.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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