Description
A classic, no-bake Italian dessert featuring layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and a rich, creamy mascarpone filling. This recipe is approachable, make-ahead friendly, and delivers restaurant-quality texture with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (450g) full-fat mascarpone cheese, cold
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream, cold
- 6 large egg yolks
- ½ cup (100g) granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 1½ cups (360ml) freshly brewed espresso, cooled completely
- 2 tablespoons dark rum or Marsala wine (optional)
- 24–26 ladyfingers (savoiardi)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
- Dark chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions
- Brew the espresso and let it cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator until completely cold.
- In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks and sugar together with an electric mixer until pale yellow, thick, and ribbon-like (about 3-4 minutes).
- In a separate clean, dry bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Add the cold mascarpone to the yolk mixture and beat on low speed until just combined and smooth.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture in two or three additions using a spatula until uniform.
- Combine the cooled espresso and optional rum/Marsala in a shallow bowl.
- Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture (half a second per side) and arrange in a single layer at the bottom of a 9×13 inch dish.
- Spread half of the cream mixture over the ladyfingers.
- Repeat with a second layer of dipped ladyfingers and the remaining cream, smoothing the top.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Before serving, dust generously with unsweetened cocoa powder using a sieve and add chocolate shavings if desired.
Notes
Keep all dairy ingredients cold to prevent separation. Do not soak ladyfingers too long or they will become soggy. For safety, use pasteurized eggs if concerned about raw yolks. The dessert tastes best after chilling overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 80
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
Keywords: tiramisu, italian dessert, no-bake, mascarpone, espresso, ladyfingers, make-ahead dessert, classic tiramisu