Easy Tiramisu Recipe

Nothing says Buongiorno, Bella! like a sweet, delectable slice of Tiramisu. Loosely translated to “Lift me up” or “Pick me up”, this classic, but easy tiramisu cake recipe will do exactly this for you. The question is: Will you dare to share with any other sweet dessert lovers?

The best part? All ingredients in this recipe are handy in your Kitchen, or easy to acquire at any neighborhood grocery. The preparation is SO simple and straightforward, I nickname this recipe “Tira-mi-Simple”. Yes, even my 6-year-old helps me with this easy tiramisu “cake” recipe. It’s true!

I hope you’ll make this tasty treat today or this evening. If you sneak aside a portion to save for a special pairing with your early morning coffee, know I’ll keep your secret. 😉

Bon App?tit, my friends!

Ready in 15 minutes – Serves 8 people

Ingredients

Ladyfingers : 1 package – enough for two single layers in whichever pan you use – 8×12 inch (21-31 cm) suggested.
2 cups (16 oz/450 mL) instant espresso or strong brew coffee, cooled to room temp
3 T (45 mL) – optional – liquor : Kahlua, Amaretto or Brandy
2 T (30 mL) granulated sugar
1 cup (8 oz/225 mL) heavy whipping cream, room temperature
1 T (15 mL) powdered sugar
1 cup (8 oz/225 g) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup (60 mL) granulated sugar
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
1 T (15 mL) cocoa powder, for dusting on top

Preparation Method

It’s important to recognize Tiramisu is a layered dish. Think of it as a “dessert lasagna”, if you will. The first steps are creating the mixtures for each layer. The following steps are assembling the layers of mixtures. The final step is garnishing your dessert.

Brew instant espresso or other strong coffee. Cool to room temperature. Add 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar per 2 cups of coffee. Stir well to dissolve. *Optional: Add in liquor of choice (Kahlua, Amaretto or Brandy) and stir well.

Easy Tiramisu Cake Recipe image by Amy Guides. White whipped cream beaten until they show stiff peaks.

Prepare heavy whipping cream mixture. Add in powdered sugar to heavy whipping cream. Beat using a stand mixer or electric mixer at medium speed, whipping until peaks form.

Easy Tiramisu Cake Recipe image by Amy Guides. Clear bowl containing off white mascarpone cheese, brown 1 tsp vanilla extract and off white granulated sugar.

In a small bowl, combine ingredients to make mascarpone cheese mixture. Add granulated sugar and vanilla extract to the room temperature mascarpone cheese. Stir well to incorporate.

Easy Tiramisu Cake Recipe image by Amy Guides. Clear, rectangular baking dish containing light brown and yellow ladyfingers, arranged side-by-side to form a single layer on the bottom of the dish.

Arrange ladyfingers in a single layer on the bottom of a selected serving pan.

Easy Tiramisu Cake Recipe image by Amy Guides. Clear, rectangular baking dish at the top of the image. In the center of the image, there are two light brown and yellow ladyfingers dipped in espresso and laid in the baking dish. In the bottom of the image, there is a white dish holding brown espresso. To the left are dry yellow and light brown ladyfingers, awaiting being dipped into the espresso liquid.

Dip ladyfingers into room temperature sweetened espresso/coffee. Being careful to avoid over soaking, dip each ladyfinger on both sides into the prepared coffee mixture, then place back into the bottom of the pan.

Easy Tiramisu Cake Recipe image by Amy Guides. Background has a clear rectangular baking dish containing a layered cake topped with off-white mascarpone cheese mixture. The foreground of the image has a green spatula spooning off-white mascarpone cheese mixture from a small clear bowl.

Spread only half of total mascarpone/vanilla/sugar mixture on top of ladyfingers.

Easy Tiramisu Cake Recipe image by Amy Guides. Green spatula spreading whipped cream over a dessert lain in a clear rectangular baking dish. Small clear bowl of whipped cream in the foreground of the image.

Spread half of total whipped cream/powdered sugar mixture on top of ladyfingers.

Easy Tiramisu Cake Recipe image by Amy Guides. Clear rectangular baking dish with layers of off white whipped cream and topped with a layer of light brown/yellow ladyfingers arranged in a single layer.

Repeat process of dipping ladyfingers into coffee to create a new layer. Dip another layer of ladyfingers into the room temperature sweetened espresso/coffee and carefully place on top of the whipped cream layer.

Spread the other half of the mascarpone/vanilla/sugar mixture on top of ladyfingers.

Spread the other half of the whipped cream mixture on top of the mascarpone/vanilla/sugar mixture layer.

Easy Tiramisu Cake Recipe image by Amy Guides. Small clear round bowl containing brown raw cocoa powder. Yellow and light brown ladyfingers blurred in background behind the bowl of cocoa.

Garnish the moment before serving. When ready to serve your delectable dessert, use a sifter to lightly dust cocoa powder over the top of the prepared Tiramisu dessert.