Tiramisu Recipe | Tiramisu Cake

By Amy Dong
Updated Feb. 28, 2024

Rich and creamy, this easy tiramisu recipe is one of the best desserts we’ve ever had the privilege of devouring. A showstopping no-bake treat, Tiramisu Cake is guaranteed to impress your guests. We’re sharing our best tips and tricks to make sure your tiramisu turns out perfectly every time.

A tiramisu cake dusted with chocolate shavings on top. — Tiramisu Cake is a LOT easier to make than it appears; it’s an outstanding dessert for any celebration.

Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe

What is Tiramisu?

If you’ve never had a classic tiramisu cake, prepare to be blown away. We’ve traveled the globe taste-testing this scrumptious dessert, and our no-bake recipe still remains our favorite version to this day.

Truly indulgent, it is a type of Italian cake that is made with ladyfinger cookies that have been dipped in coffee and are often soaked in alcohol. They are then layered with a decadent whipped mixture consisting of eggs, sugar, mascarpone cheese, and cocoa. The end result is a beautiful fluffy cake with a rich coffee and chocolate taste.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

We’re convinced that once you’ve tried our tiramisu cake with ladyfingers recipe, you’ll never look at other desserts the same way again. Here’s why:

Simple: This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients. No need for fancy, hard-to-source items.
Flavor: The combination of coffee, cocoa, and mascarpone cheese is simply irresistible. The Kahlua takes this treat to the next level, just like it does in our Chocolate Kahlua Cake.
Texture: The fluffy mascarpone cream and the soft, coffee-soaked ladyfingers create a dreamy texture in every bite.
Make Ahead: This tiramisu cake recipe is even better when made a day ahead, making it one of our favorite holiday dessert recipes.
Versatile: It’s a crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s a dinner party, casual get-together, or even a birthday, this tiramisu is always a hit.
Easy: Despite its sophisticated taste, this tiramisu made with ladyfingers is surprisingly easy to make.
Delicious: This isn’t just a dessert, it’s an indulgence. Every bite is creamy, rich, and utterly satisfying, just like our Mini Cheesecakes.
Authentic: This recipe stays true to the classic Italian tiramisu, giving you an authentic taste experience.

Key Recipe Ingredients

The ingredients for tiramisu cake are shown on a marble table.

Very Strong Coffee – We use 3 cups of very strong coffee, which can be either regular or Decaf. This is a key ingredient that gives the Tiramisu its signature rich coffee taste.
Kahlua Liquor – 4 TB of Kahlua liquor is used to enhance the coffee flavor and add a hint of sweetness. It is what sets our Tiramisu Cake apart from others for extra depth in flavor.
Mascarpone Cheese – This Italian cheese is creamy and rich, making our Tiramisu incredibly tasty.
Ladyfingers (Savoiardi biscuits) – These delicate, sponge-like cookies are soaked in the coffee mixture and layered with the whipped mixture to create the classic Tiramisu structure.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Used for dusting, unsweetened cocoa powder adds a beautiful finish and a hint of chocolate flavor.
Semi Sweet Chocolate – You can use semi sweet chocolate for shaving over the top of the Tiramisu cake as well. It adds an extra touch of sweetness and makes the dessert even more delicious.

Substitutions And Variations

Tiramisu Cake is a classic Italian dessert that we absolutely adore. But, just because it is a classic doesn’t mean you can’t put your own spin on it. Here are some variations and substitutions we think you might enjoy:

Flavored Coffee: If you want to try a different flavor profile, consider substituting the coffee with a flavored coffee or even a coffee alternative like chicory.
Stevia: For those watching their sugar intake, swap the sugar out for a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol.
Amaretto: Not a fan of Kahlua or rum? Try substituting with a different liqueur like Amaretto or even a flavored syrup.
Sponge Cake: If you can’t find ladyfingers, you could substitute them with sponge cake or even a biscotti.
Different Chocolate Shavings: For a different flavor, try using a different type of chocolate for shaving on top such as white chocolate or dark chocolate like we do in our Thick ‘n Chewy Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Cookies.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

Coffee, sugar, Kahlua, and rum being mixed in a bowl.

Egg yolks, marsala, and sugar being whisked on top of a saucepan of simmering water.

Stir coffee, sugar, Kahlua, and rum until the sugar dissolves. Allow this mixture to cool.
In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, Marsala, and sugar. Place this bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.

An egg yolk mixture being whisked in a metal bowl.

Whipped heavy cream being folded into mascarpone mixture to make tiramisu cake.

Use a handheld electric mixer or a whisk to triple the volume of the egg yolk mixture. Remove from heat and blend in mascarpone until just combined.
Pour heavy cream into a chilled bowl and whip until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold this whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.

Mascarpone filling being poured over soaked ladyfingers to make tiramisu cake.

Cocoa powder being dusted on top of tiramisu cake.

Dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture and arrange them at the bottom of a Springform pan. Spread half of the mascarpone filling on top of the ladyfingers. Repeat the process of dipping and layering the ladyfingers, and then spread the remaining mascarpone filling on top.
Dust the top layer with cocoa and sprinkle with chocolate shavings. Refrigerate the dessert overnight in the Springform pan to set. Before serving, release the sides of the Springform pan carefully.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

This tiramisu recipe is not only a crowd-pleaser, but it is also a perfect make-ahead dessert. Take a look at our best prep-ahead tips for this recipe:

Prepare the Coffee Mixture: Stir the strong coffee, sugar, Kahlua, and rum until the sugar is dissolved. This mixture can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Just remember to bring it to room temperature before using it.
Entirely Make Ahead: You can also make this delicious tiramisu cake with ladyfingers up to 3 days in advance. Simply refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve.
Freeze: Need to prep for a party or holiday days in advance? No problem! Simply freeze the entire tiramisu cake for up to three months! Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge the day before serving it. It’s as simple as that!

A tiramisu recipe with ladyfingers wrapped in red ribbon. — Add a dusting of cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate shavings for the most indulgent cake.

Common Asked Questions

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