How to Make the Best Ever Classic Tiramisù
A Finger-Licking Delicious Italian Dessert
I had the idea to make a classic Tiramisù after reading this book: Every Day Is A Holiday by George Mahood.
The author, a family man, had an epiphany that people invented or created many holidays connected to something meaningful. The entire calendar, all 360 days of it, consists of something significant enough that deserves recognition. So, Mahood celebrated something every day for a whole year.
Anything is worth revelling, from Zombie Day on the first of January to Oopsie Daisy Day, Awkward Moments Day, Work Naked Day, No Diet Day and everything in between. The book is hilarious; by the time I finished reading it, I felt a lot happier than before I started it.
How is a book connected with our classic Tiramisù, you might ask? I don’t think it is. But, you probably guessed, there is a Tiramisù day in the calendar, established by Italians after Mahood published his book.
To be precise, each year we should celebrate this luscious Italian dessert on the twenty-first of March. We should also celebrate it every day before and after if you ask me!
I recommend you read this book; it will lift your spirits. As will do this finger-licking delicious Italian dessert that literary translates to “pick me up” or “lift me up”.
Tiramisù is easy to make and never fails to impress. Everyone who had it at my house asked for seconds. I’ve seen people getting happier by the minute as they eat this cake. Possibly, by the time your Tiramisù is ready, you’ll be in much higher spirits than you are at this moment!
As Italians are highly creative people, there is a legend related to Tiramisù’s origin. It is a bit raunchy; hopefully, you are an adult reading this post to yourself while any kids on the premises are happily and undisturbedly playing video games.
About two centuries ago, in the city of Treviso, not far from Venice, a brothel madam started to offer an alcohol-containing desert to the establishment’s guests. The purpose of the cake was to help the customers replenish their powers before they’d leave the pleasure house and return to their wives.
In Treviso dialect, the name madam chose for her aphrodisiac was “Tireme su”. This phrase later became the one Italian word that the entire global population is fluent in – Tiramisù.
Fast forward to 2020, it appears the world is actually crazy for a boozy nineteen century Viagra! The conundrum is: pharmacy or supermarket?
If you choose the latter, your shopping list must contain a few specific ingredients for this classic Tiramisù recipe.
Disclaimer: If you are old enough to drink, you should always drink responsibly!
Ingredients for Classic Tiramisù
Savoiardi biscuits (ladyfingers). The quantity is relative as you can assemble it in anything from a couple of glasses to a large tray. I usually make more because I know it vanishes in minutes, so I use about twenty ladyfingers per level (x3 levels).
Coffee (ground or instant; decaf if shared with children)
Coconut sugar
Vanilla pods
Mascarpone cheese
Cacao powder
Liquor (I prefer Amaretto). Of course, forget about it for the child-friendly version of Tiramisù.
Optional (if you choose to make the cream from scratch) egg yolks, almond milk, corn/potato starch.
Classic Tiramisù
Ingredients
- 60 pcs Savoiardi biscuits (ladyfingers)
- 4-5 tbsp instant coffee (decaf if shared with children)
- 5 tbsp coconut sugar
- 2 pods vanilla
- 2 pcs Mascarpone cheese (about 500g)
- 5 pcs egg yolk
- 6 tbsp Amaretto (skip for the child-friendly version)
- 3-4 tbsp organic cacao powder
- unsweetend almond milk (optional, according to the filling method you choose)
- corn starch (optional, according to the filling method you choose)
Instructions
- Start by preparing the coffee. Boil circa half a litre of water with a spoon of sugar for a couple of minutes. Turn the hob off, add the coffee and stir until it dissolves completely. Let it cool down.
- Open a small bottle of Amaretto and pour a glass. Drink half and keep the rest for later. Add the required quantity to the coffee.
- There are two ways to prepare the cream: either use raw eggs or boil them, based on who is eating the cake. You should probably cook the eggs for young children, pregnant ladies, or persons with certain medical conditions.
The cooking method for the filling
- If you choose the cooking method, you will need to add 500ml milk and 2-3 tablespoons of corn starch.
- In a bowl, mix the sugar with egg yolks, corn starch and a few tablespoons of cold milk. Add the vanilla seeds to the remainder of the milk and boil it in a pan. Add the hot milk to the egg yolk mix spoon by spoon, stirring well after each one. You will have to balance the temperature patiently!
- When the composition is evenly mixed, pour it back into the pan and boil at low heat for 3-5 minutes or until it hardens, stirring continuously. Allow it to cool off before adding the mascarpone cheese.
The cold/raw version for the filling
- For the cold version, whisk the sugar and egg yolks until the volume doubles. The consistency should be that of soft cream. Scrape the vanilla pods and whisk. Add the mascarpone cheese gradually and mix until incorporated.
- At your discretion, you can add the egg whites whipped until stiff. Mix it slowly, careful not to spoil the entire thing. Have a sip of Amaretto.
Assembling the Tiramisù
- Dip each ladyfinger in the coffee mix (for no longer than a second; you want the biscuits moist, not soggy) and place them in the glass or on the platter/tray. Continue until the level is complete. Have a sip of Amaretto. Even two!
- Divide the filling cream into three parts. Spread one part evenly over the first layer of ladyfingers.
- At this point, you won’t need more Amaretto in the coffee so you can pour another glass to yourself.
- Build the second layer of ladyfingers and spread the cream over it. Lift the glass. And drink the Amaretto. Continue with the third and last layer. Empty what’s left in the bottle into the glass. Drink!
- After you’ve spread the remainder of the cream, lick the bowl. Check how much Amaretto is left. Then, sprinkle the cocoa evenly over the entire surface. Good luck with that!
- Leave the Tiramisù in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to set before serving.
- Before you tidy up, empty the glass. Preferably by drinking it. Not the glass! The content.
The hard to do part 🤣
- Ask the kitchen to stop spinning. Mix the bowl in the washing machine and add shampoo in the dishwasher. Soap! If you can see the button that says On/Off, press on it. If not, it’s OK. Don’t call your optician yet!
- Presto, your Tiramisù is somehow complete and looking lofty. Lifting!
- Cheers! I possibly meant buon appetitito! Appetissimo! Buon Appetizing! I told you to read the damn book! Hiccup! Pardon you!
This tiramisu recipe is perfection!
Lovely recipe
This is one of my favorite desserts! So good!
Will be making this again and again!
I love tiramisu but have never tried to make it myself! This gives me the confidence to try.
Tiramisu is one of my fav desserts!
Yum! I love this tiramisu! It is my favorite dessert and I could eat it all the time!
OMG this looks SO GOOD, I love tiramisu!
OH, wow… this looks super delicious. I will definitely give your recipe a try.
Tiramisu is our favorite dessert! No need to go to a restaurant to get it now!
Thanks for giving both versions!
So good, my family loved it!
This looks so perfect!
Looks enchanting!:) I can’t wait to try this recipe over the weekend.:) Thanks!
I once made Tiramisu for an adult family dinner and it was way too boozy! Gotta try this recipe instead!
As an Italian born in Italy I never made (nor used) instant coffee, coconut sugar or vanilla in Tiramisu’, however I have to say this recipe tastes delicious!
Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts, especially in summer. These steps are easy to follow and I will definitely be giving these a try!
I love a tiramisu. That creaminess mixed with rich bitter coffee liqueur, yum! This recipe sounds amazing
This tiramisu is wonderful! Made it yesterday and it was amazing! Thanks for sharing!
This is one of my favorite desserts and that story of it’s origin is hilarious!!! Plus that book sounds like a must have for having fun in the kitchen.
I totally agree:))))))))
Tiramisu looks so tempting! Had this in restaurants but never tried myself! You have beautifully explained! I am saving this.
Your pictures and recipe make this tiramisu look amazing! I can’t wait to try it out.
OMG I need this book! I reckon I would love it too and what a great way to de-stress. 21st March is my birthday week so now I’ll have another excuse to eat tiramisu. I tried your recipe and it was fab. My friends thought so too and how popular was I? LOL! Will definitely make it again.
By far my favorite dessert!
An all-time favorite, I love tiramisu. When I go on vacation in Italy this is the dessert I’m going to order. And now I’m going to prepare it in my own kitchen. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, this looks delicious. I have never looked into what making tiramisu looks like. You make it look irresistibly good! I can’t wait to make this one for the family! Pretty sure step 2 will be my favorite! 😉
Can you make me one, please?
Haha, why not have fun yourself?:))
Looks absolutely delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
divine! Love how you made it so simple… I havent eaten this for a long time. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Sharing this recipe to fam.
Great! Watch the booze if children included:)))
Tiramisu is the best!
One of my all time favorite desserts during the 90’s while working at this cafe that made the yummiest Tiramisu. I am inspired!
I’m sure you can successfully make one!:)
This looks really amazing. Honestly, this is one of the best-looking tiramisus I’ve seen, your photography is incredible. And the recipe is delicious.
Tiramisu is one of my favourite desserts, but I’ve yet to make it. Partly because my SO is Italian and his late father used to make the BEST ever!
Precisely because it is so easy to make, even your first try should be successful! Let me know how it goes:)
Yes, please! This is an awesome dessert and looks amazing! I have never made this at home but should. 🙂
Tiramisu is one of my absolute favorites! I did not have amaretto so I used Galliano, a sweet herbal liquor. Oh my, that was a great substitute (although I perfectly like amaretto, too). Thanks for the yummy recipe.
I’m so glad you gave it a go! Any liquor goes for the boozy version; I used Kahlua once and it was perfect:))
Gosh, I love tiramisu but only get it at restaurants. I guess that needs to change now…thanks for the awesome recipe!
Tiramisu is one of my favourite desserts. I never made it before, but you might have just encouraged me to. Thanks for the recipe
I’ve always wanted to try tiramisu but thought it’d bf too challenging. Your recipe makes it seem a lot easier to tackle and I’m excited to try it out!
I love this recipe! Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts!
Love tiramisu! I haven’t had it in such a long time. I may have to try this out because this looks amazing!
Sounds delicious! Must read to the end! lol. Cheers!
Yep, definitely! Must make it to the hilarious part:))
I am a huge fan of tiramisu and this looks so good, thanks for sharing ~
I am not the biggest fan of tiramisu, but I like to think it is because I just have not had the right recipe. This looks like it could be it because this tiramisu looks delicious! My boyfriend loves it, so I will have to make it. Thank you for sharing!
I love tiramisu! I’m going to try and make it this weekend! 😍😍
I love tiramisu! Never tried making it but will surely try this recipe. Thank you for sharing😁
Looks lovely! I don’t remember the last time I had tiramisu. I might have to give this a try :). Thanks for sharing!
Tiramisu is amazing! Coffee and chocolate together are always a fabulous combo! I’m going to have to try making this now! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tiramisu is definitely one of the best desserts ever! Thank you for the recipe and the beautiful photos, I would try to make one for sure…let’s see how it turns out!
Yes, please, let me know!
Tiramisu is one of my favorites, especially as I live in Italy! This is a great recipe and easy to follow too.
Thank you! I lived in Italy and so wish to move back one day! Gorgeous country! As I said in my Capri post, everything that is good in this world comes from Italy, starting with the food!