For those not familiar, Maida Heatter is an icon, especially in the baking world. Dubbed the Queen of Cake, her expansive culinary career included 9 cookbooks, recipes for the Times, a restaurant, and three James Beard Awards. Baker and author Dorie Greenspan once said “Whenever someone tells me they want to learn to bake, I tell them to start with Maida Heatter’s books. That’s what I did.” This latest cookbook is a testament to Maida’s legacy.
She passed away at the age of 102 last week, only 2 months after this book was published. She leaves behind an incalculable amount of inspiration to bakers and cooks all over the world. I’m truly honored to share this cookbook and her tiramisu recipe with you today.
Tiramisu is a classic no-bake Italian dessert combining espresso-dipped ladyfingers and a creamy lightly sweetened mascarpone cream. Now if you’re going to make tiramisu, you have to use the QUEEN OF CAKE’s recipe! It’s an important dessert for an important event. With the inclusion of espresso and alcohol, tiramisu is an adult dessert.
I prepared Maida’s tiramisu recipe a few times, serving it to our neighbors one night and halving the recipe for just us the week prior. Nothing triumphant comes for free, so expect a good amount of prep work. This recipe requires several bowls and a couple mixing techniques, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. In fact, let’s watch the entire dessert come together in a short video tutorial:
There are 2 components and 4 layers in tiramisu. Each component is layered twice.
It goes: espresso-dipped ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, remaining espresso-dipped ladyfingers, and remaining mascarpone cream. Dust the whole thing with a dense layer of unsweetened cocoa to finish. Maida’s recipe calls for homemade chocolate ladyfingers and if you own this cookbook, I highly recommend using her chocolate ladyfinger recipe included. Most Italian bakeries make fresh ladyfingers as well. However if you’re desiring a simpler and more convenient approach, use a store-bought variety.
Before beginning this recipe, I encourage you to have all of your ingredients ready. You need strong espresso, Grand Marnier (optional– see below), ladyfingers, mascarpone, rum, eggs, sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, salt, and unsweetened cocoa powder.
As with most layered desserts, you can’t be nervous to just dive right in and start serving! Serve square portions. Make even cuts with a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between each cut. A small metal serving spatula to remove the slices is massively helpful.
Though this isn’t my first time preparing tiramisu, I will say that this is one of the best homemade tiramisu recipes that I’ve had– and I definitely encourage you to try it! Here are 4 FAQs and answers that will help you get started:
.tasty-recipes-image {
float: right; }
.tasty-recipes-yield-scale {
border: 1px solid #979599;
border-radius: 2px;
color: #979599;
margin-left: 3px;
padding: 0 4px;
font-size: 0.7rem; }
.tasty-recipes-scale-container {
float: right;
padding: 0 0 1rem; }
.tasty-recipes-scale-container .tasty-recipes-scale-label {
text-transform: uppercase;
font-size: 0.6rem;
color: #979599; }
.tasty-recipes-scale-container button {
background: transparent;
border: 1px solid #979599;
border-radius: 2px;
color: #979599;
margin-left: 5px;
padding: 2px 4px; }
.tasty-recipes-scale-container button.tasty-recipes-scale-button-active {
color: #353547;
border-color: #353547; }
.tasty-recipes-scale-container button:focus {
outline: none; }
.tasty-recipes-print-button {
background-color: #666677;
display: inline-block;
padding-left: 1em;
padding-right: 1em;
padding-top: 0.5em;
padding-bottom: 0.5em;
text-decoration: none; }
a.tasty-recipes-print-button {
color: #fff; }
a.tasty-recipes-print-button:hover {
color: #fff; }
.tasty-recipes-equipment {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
justify-content: space-evenly; }
.tasty-recipes-equipment > h3 {
flex: 0 0 100%; }
.tasty-recipes-equipment .tasty-link-card {
flex: 0 0 50%;
padding: 1.5rem 1rem;
text-align: center; }
@media screen and (min-width: 500px) {
.tasty-recipes-equipment .tasty-link-card {
flex: 0 0 33%; } }
.tasty-recipes-equipment .tasty-link-card p {
font-weight: bold;
font-size: 1em;
margin-bottom: 0; }
.tasty-recipes-equipment .tasty-link-card p a {
color: initial; }
.tasty-recipes-equipment .tasty-link-card span {
font-size: 0.9em; }
.tasty-recipes-rating.tasty-recipes-clip-10 {
-webkit-clip-path: polygon(0 0, 10% 0%, 10% 100%, 0% 100%);
clip-path: polygon(0 0, 10% 0%, 10% 100%, 0% 100%); }
.tasty-recipes-rating.tasty-recipes-clip-20 {
-webkit-clip-path: polygon(0 0, 20% 0%, 20% 100%, 0% 100%);
clip-path: polygon(0 0, 20% 0%, 20% 100%, 0% 100%); }
.tasty-recipes-rating.tasty-recipes-clip-30 {
-webkit-clip-path: polygon(0 0, 30% 0%, 30% 100%, 0% 100%);
clip-path: polygon(0 0, 30% 0%, 30% 100%, 0% 100%); }
.tasty-recipes-rating.tasty-recipes-clip-40 {
-webkit-clip-path: polygon(0 0, 40% 0%, 40% 100%, 0% 100%);
clip-path: polygon(0 0, 40% 0%, 40% 100%, 0% 100%); }
.tasty-recipes-rating.tasty-recipes-clip-50 {
-webkit-clip-path: polygon(0 0, 50% 0%, 50% 100%, 0% 100%);
clip-path: polygon(0 0, 50% 0%, 50% 100%, 0% 100%); }
.tasty-recipes-rating.tasty-recipes-clip-60 {
-webkit-clip-path: polygon(0 0, 60% 0%, 60% 100%, 0% 100%);
clip-path: polygon(0 0, 60% 0%, 60% 100%, 0% 100%); }
.tasty-recipes-rating.tasty-recipes-clip-70 {
-webkit-clip-path: polygon(0 0, 70% 0%, 70% 100%, 0% 100%);
clip-path: polygon(0 0, 70% 0%, 70% 100%, 0% 100%); }
.tasty-recipes-rating.tasty-recipes-clip-80 {
-webkit-clip-path: polygon(0 0, 80% 0%, 80% 100%, 0% 100%);
clip-path: polygon(0 0, 80% 0%, 80% 100%, 0% 100%); }
.tasty-recipes-rating.tasty-recipes-clip-90 {
-webkit-clip-path: polygon(0 0, 90% 0%, 90% 100%, 0% 100%);
clip-path: polygon(0 0, 90% 0%, 90% 100%, 0% 100%); }
.tasty-recipes-nutrition ul {
list-style-type: none;
margin: 0;
padding: 0; }
.tasty-recipes-nutrition ul:after {
display: block;
content: ‘ ‘;
clear: both; }
.tasty-recipes-nutrition li {
float: left;
margin-right: 1em; }
.tasty-recipes-plug {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 1em;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center; }
.tasty-recipes-plug a {
text-decoration: none;
box-shadow: none; }
.tasty-recipes-plug a img {
width: 150px;
height: auto;
margin: 5px 0 0 8px;
display: inline-block; }
@media print {
.tasty-recipes-no-print,
.tasty-recipes-no-print * {
display: none !important; } }
.tasty-recipes {
margin-bottom: 4em;
max-width: 700px;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
}
.tasty-recipes.tasty-recipes-has-plug {
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
.tasty-recipes-plug {
margin-bottom: 4em;
}
.tasty-recipes-print-button {
display: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-image-shim {
height: 69.5px;
clear: both;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header {
background-color: #f9f9f9;
padding-top: 2em;
padding-left: 2em;
padding-right: 2em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header.tasty-recipes-has-image {
padding-top: 0px;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-image {
float: none;
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
@media only screen and (min-width: 730px) {
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-image {
float: left;
margin-right: 16px;
}
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-image img {
float: none;
height: 150px;
width: 150px;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-header-content {
min-height: 215px;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header h2 {
margin-bottom: 0;
margin-top: 0;
padding-top: 0;
padding-bottom: 0;
clear: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header hr {
border: 1px solid #eee;
background-color: #eee;
margin-bottom: 0;
margin-top: 1em;
margin-right: -2em;
margin-left: -2em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating-outer {
width: 100%;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating-outer a {
text-decoration: none;
border: none;
display: inherit;
box-shadow: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating-outer a:hover {
text-decoration: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating-stars {
font-size: 18px;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating-stars span {
margin-right: 2px;
margin-left: 2px;
color: #aaaaaa;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating-stars span:first-child {
margin-left: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating-label {
color: #B7BBC6;
font-size: .6875em;
margin-top: 1em;
position: absolute;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating-stars .post-ratings {
font-size: 10px;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating-stars .post-ratings .tasty-recipes-cf-ratings-label {
margin-top: 0;
line-height: 1;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details {
margin-top: 1.5em;
color: #606060;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul {
list-style-type: none;
margin: 0;
padding-left: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul li {
display: inline-block;
margin-left: 0;
padding-left: 0;
margin-right: .5em;
margin-bottom: 0;
font-size: 1em;
line-height: 1.8em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .detail-icon {
height: 1em;
margin-top: .4em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul li {
font-size: 1em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .tasty-recipes-label {
margin-right: .125em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .detail-icon {
vertical-align: top;
margin-right: .2em;
}
@media only screen and (min-width: 730px) {
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details {
padding-left: 166px;
}
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content {
padding-top: 0.1em;
background: #f9f9f9;
color: #606060;
clear: both;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-buttons {
margin-top: 1.25em;
margin-bottom: 1.25em;
width: 100%;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-buttons:after {
content: ” “;
display: block;
clear: both;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-button-wrap {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-buttons a {
text-transform: uppercase;
text-align: center;
display: block;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
font-size: 1em;
line-height: 1.375em;
font-weight: bold;
padding-top: 7px;
padding-bottom: 7px;
margin-top: 0;
border: 1px solid #aaaaaa;;
border-radius: 0;
text-decoration: none;
color: #aaaaaa;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-buttons .button:hover {
background-color: #f9f9f9;
border: 3px solid #aaaaaa;
color: #aaaaaa;
opacity: 1;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content a img {
box-shadow: none;
-webkit-box-shadow: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-buttons a:hover {
background-color: #979599;
text-decoration: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-buttons img {
vertical-align: top;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-buttons img.svg-print,
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-buttons img.svg-pinterest {
height: 1.25em;
margin-right: .375em;
margin-bottom: 0;
background: none;
display: inline-block;
box-shadow: none;
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 730px) {
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-button-wrap {
width: 100%;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-button-wrap:nth-child(2) {
padding-top: 1em;
}
}
@media only screen and (min-width: 450px) {
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-buttons {
width: 100%;
float: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-button-wrap:first-child {
width: 50%;
padding-right: 5px;
float: left;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-button-wrap:last-child {
width: 50%;
padding-left: 5px;
float: right;
padding-top: 0;
}
}
@media only screen and (min-width: 730px) {
.tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-buttons {
padding-left: 166px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.tasty-recipes-header-content {
position: relative;
}
.tasty-recipes-header-content .tasty-recipes-rating-outer {
position: absolute;
top: 155px;
width: 150px;
text-align: center;
}
.tasty-recipes-header-content .tasty-recipes-rating-label {
display: block;
position: static;
margin-top: 0;
}
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content h3 {
color: initial;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content h4 {
font-size: 1em;
padding-top: 0;
margin-bottom: 1.5em;
margin-top: 1.5em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content hr {
background-color: #eee;
border: 1px solid #eee;
margin-top: 1em;
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-description,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-keywords {
padding-left: 2em;
padding-right: 2em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-description p {
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ul,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ul {
list-style-type: none;
margin-left: 0;
margin-bottom: 1.5em;
padding: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ul li,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ul li {
margin-bottom: .625em;
list-style-type: none;
position: relative;
margin-left: 2.5em;
line-height: 1.46;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ul li:before,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ul li:before {
background-color: #aaaaaa;
-webkit-border-radius: 50%;
-moz-border-radius: 50%;
border-radius: 50%;
height: .5em;
width: .5em;
display: block;
content: ” “;
left: -1.25em;
top: .375em;
position: absolute;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ol,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ol {
counter-reset:li;
margin-left: 0;
padding: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ol li,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ol li {
list-style-type: none;
position: relative;
margin-bottom: 1em;
margin-left: 2.5em;
line-height: 1.46;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ol li:before,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ol li:before {
content:counter(li);
counter-increment: li;
position: absolute;
background-color: #aaaaaa;
-webkit-border-radius: 50%;
-moz-border-radius: 50%;
border-radius: 50%;
height: 1.45em;
width: 1.45em;
color: #FFF;
left: -1.25em;
transform: translateX(-50%);
line-height: 1.5em;
font-size: .6875em;
text-align: center;
top: .1875em;
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 520px) {
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ol,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ol {
margin-left: 0;
}
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-equipment {
padding-left: 2em;
padding-right: 2em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipe-video-embed ~ .tasty-recipes-equipment {
padding-top: 1em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-nutrition {
padding-bottom: 1.25em;
padding-left: 2em;
padding-right: 2em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol {
counter-reset:li;
margin-left: 0;
padding: 0;
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul {
margin-left: 0;
padding: 0;
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes p,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul li,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol li {
padding-left: 1.5625em;
padding-right: 1.5625em;
padding-top: 1.25em;
padding-bottom: 1.25em;
position: relative;
margin-bottom: 1.5em;
list-style-type: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes p,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul li,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol li {
padding-left: 2.5em;
margin-left: 0;
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes p:before,
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul li:before {
content: “i”;
display: block;
background-color: #aaaaaa;
-webkit-border-radius: 50%;
-moz-border-radius: 50%;
border-radius: 50%;
height: 1.3em;
width: 1.3em;
font-size: .75em;
line-height: 1.3em;
text-align: center;
color: #FFF;
position: absolute;
left: 1.167em;
top: 2.1em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol li:before {
content:counter(li);
counter-increment: li;
position: absolute;
background-color: #aaaaaa;
-webkit-border-radius: 50%;
-moz-border-radius: 50%;
border-radius: 50%;
height: 1.45em;
width: 1.45em;
color: #FFF;
left: 2em;
transform: translateX(-50%);
line-height: 1.5em;
font-size: .6875em;
text-align: center;
top: 2.3em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes p:last-child {
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-keywords {
margin-top: 1em;
margin-bottom: 1em;
color: #aaaaaa;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-keywords p {
margin-bottom: 0;
font-size: 0.7em;
}
.tasty-recipes-nutrifox {
text-align: center;
margin: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-nutrifox iframe {
width: 100%;
display: block;
margin: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-nutrition ul li {
float: none;
line-height: 2em;
list-style-type: none;
margin-left: 0;
padding-left: 0.833em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer {
background-color: #fff;
padding-top: 1.5625em;
padding-bottom: 1.25em;
padding-left: 2.5em;
padding-right: 2.5em;
text-align: center;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer .tasty-recipes-footer-content {
display: inline-block;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer img {
width: 65px;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer h3 {
font-size: 1.25em;
line-height: 2.25em;
margin-top: .5em;
margin-bottom: .125em;
padding: 0;
line-height: 1em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer p {
margin-bottom: 0;
font-size: .75em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer p a {
text-decoration: underline;
box-shadow: none;
border-bottom: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer:after {
content: ” “;
display: block;
clear:both;
}
@media only screen and (max-width: 520px) {
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer h3 {
margin-top: .5em;
margin-bottom: .5em;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer {
text-align: center;
}
}
@media only screen and (min-width: 520px) {
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer img {
float: left;
}
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer h3,
.tasty-recipes-entry-footer p {
margin-left: 90px;
clear: none;
text-align: left;
}
}
.clearfix:after {
clear: both;
content: ” “;
display: table;
}
/* Print view styles */
.tasty-recipes-print-view {
font-size: 11px;
}
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-print-button {
display: inline-block;
}
.tasty-recipes-print {
padding:0;
}
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes,
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-content {
background: #fff;
}
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes {
margin-top: 1em;
}
.tasty-recipes-print .tasty-recipes-entry-header {
background-color: inherit;
color: inherit;
padding-bottom: 0;
padding-left: 1em;
padding-right: 1em;
}
.tasty-recipes-print .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-image {
transform: none;
float: left;
margin-right: 16px;
}
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-header-content {
min-height: 150px;
}
.tasty-recipes-print.tasty-recipes-has-image .tasty-recipes-entry-header h2 {
margin-top: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-print .tasty-recipes-entry-header h2 {
color: inherit;
margin-bottom: .5em;
}
.tasty-recipes-print .tasty-recipes-entry-header hr {
display: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-print .tasty-recipes-header-content .tasty-recipes-rating-outer {
position: initial;
text-align: left;
width: unset;
top: unset;
}
.tasty-recipes-print .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-rating-stars span {
color: #000;
}
.tasty-recipes-print .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul {
padding: 0;
clear: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-print .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details ul li {
line-height: 1.8em;
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-print .tasty-recipes-entry-header .tasty-recipes-details .detail-icon {
display: none;
}
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-source-link {
text-align: center;
}
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ul li,
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ul li,
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-ingredients ol li,
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-instructions ol li {
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes p,
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul li,
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ol li {
margin-top: 1rem;
padding-top: 0;
padding-bottom: 0;
}
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes p:before,
.tasty-recipes-print-view .tasty-recipes-entry-content .tasty-recipes-notes ul li:before {
top: 0.1em;
}
Description
This recipe is from the late Maida Heatter and is easily the best homemade tiramisu recipe that I’ve ever tried. Review the recipe notes and video tutorial before starting. Tiramisu tastes best when chilled overnight, so this is a wonderful make-ahead dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cups (300ml) very strongly prepared espresso, warm or room temperature
- 6 Tablespoons (90ml) Grand Marnier*
- 40–45 ladyfingers*
- 16 ounces (about 2 cups; 450g) mascarpone, cold or at room temperature
- 1/4 cup (60ml) dark rum
- 4 large eggs, separated*
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar, divided*
- 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- unsweetened natural or dutch-process cocoa powder
Instructions
- You need a large 9×13 inch baking pan/dish with at least a 12-14 cup capacity. Set aside and have ready to go!
- Dip half of the ladyfingers: You will form 2 layers each of dipped ladyfingers and mascarpone cream. Let’s begin with the 1st layer of ladyfingers. Whisk the espresso and Grand Marnier together in a shallow bowl. One at a time, quickly dip each side of the ladyfinger into the espresso mixture. You don’t want to over-saturate the ladyfinger with liquid because then the ladyfingers will taste soggy. Just a quick dip on each side. Arrange the dipped ladyfingers in the baking pan to make one solid layer. If needed, cut some ladyfingers to fill in any empty spaces. Reserve remaining espresso mixture and ladyfingers for another layer.
- Begin the mascarpone cream: With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the mascarpone and rum together on medium speed in a large bowl until smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare a double boiler for the egg yolks: If you have a double boiler, use it in this step. If you don’t, place a heat-proof bowl over a small pot of simmering water over medium-low heat. Don’t let the water touch the bottom of the bowl. Using a whisk or eggbeater (I simply use a whisk), whisk the egg yolks and 1/4 cup (50g) of granulated sugar together until light and foamy, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately pour into the mascarpone mixture. Beat on medium speed until combined.
- Whip the heavy cream: With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream and vanilla extract together on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Medium peaks are between soft/loose peaks and stiff peaks– and are the perfect consistency for the tiramisu cream. Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.
- Beat the egg whites: With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a *clean* whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and salt together on medium-high speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase to high speed and slowly pour in the remaining 1/4 cup (50g) of sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form, about 4-5 minutes. (Do not over-beat as the egg whites will become dry.) Fold into the mascarpone cream.
- Spread half of the mascarpone cream evenly over bottom layer of ladyfingers. An offset spatula helps spread it neatly and evenly.
- Dip remaining ladyfingers: Dip remaining ladyfingers into remaining espresso mixture and arrange one-by-one on top of the mascarpone layer. Gently press each down so they are nice and compact. Using an offset spatula, spread remaining mascarpone mixture evenly on top. If you’re using a large enough pan, it should all fit (but it will definitely tower high!). Refrigerate uncovered for 2-3 hours.
- Add cocoa layer, then chill: After a couple hours in the refrigerator, sift or strain a dense layer of cocoa powder all over the top. Wipe the rim of the baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then refrigerate for at least 8-9 more hours and up to 1 day.
- Using a sharp knife, slice chilled tiramisu into servings. Wipe knife clean between cuts. A small metal serving spatula is helpful for removing the slices.
- Cover leftover tiramisu and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Freezing Instructions: Prepare tiramisu through step 8. Tightly cover and freeze for up to 3 months. Remove from the freezer, evenly dust the top with cocoa, then thaw in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. (Can thaw covered or uncovered.)
- Special Tools: KitchenAid Stand Mixer, KitchenAid Hand Mixer, 9×13 inch Baking Dish or 4-Quart Dish, Sieve, Offset Spatula, Metal Serving Spatula
- Smaller Recipe: Halve this recipe for a 9×9 inch or 10×10 inch square baking pan.
- Espresso: For the espresso, combine 5 Tablespoons instant espresso powder in 1 and 1/4 cups hot water. This is stronger than brewed espresso and perfect for tiramisu. In a pinch, use super super super strong black coffee.
- Grand Marnier: This addition makes this a boozier version of tiramisu because you have alcohol in both the coffee soak mixture and the mascarpone cream. Grand Marnier’s flavor is lovely in this dessert, but you can skip it and stick with just the dark rum.
- Ladyfingers: Ladyfingers (savoiardi in Italian) are a sweet, pretty dry, and finger-shaped sponge cookie/cake. They’re found in most large grocery stores, Italian markets, or you can purchase them online. You can also make them from scratch– there are many recipes online! Store-bought is most convenient. I use 2 standard packages of ladyfingers for this recipe.
- Eggs: Maida Heatter’s recipe calls for 5 large eggs, but in hopes to slightly reduce the volume of mascarpone cream, I reduced down to 4 large eggs. Both the egg whites and egg yolks are used in the mascarpone cream. An egg separator is helpful. The egg yolks are gently cooked, but if you’re concerned with eating raw eggs, purchase pasteurized eggs because they are safe to consume raw.
- Sugar: I increased the sugar by 2 Tablespoons for a VERY slightly sweeter cream. This is still not an overly sweet dessert.
Recipe reprinted in partnership with Little, Brown and Company. Recipe from Happiness is Baking by Maida Heatter, foreword by Dorie Greenspan
Keywords: Italian dessert