A slice of tiramisu on a plate with a mug of coffee.

Tiramisu is a surprisingly easy, classic Italian, no-bake dessert. It contains layers of espresso soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone custard, whipped cream, and cocoa powder. Buon appetito!

We are extremely picky about tiramisu. It’s one of those desserts we love to order, with our hopes high, but end up disappointed because it’s never as good as we hope. We really should stop trying, especially when we love this recipe so much, and it’s so easy to make! We have been lucky enough to taste the best of the best tiramisu, and that helped us in developing this recipe. The layers are simply perfection, and you absolutely must make this the next chance you get! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make tiramisu without eggs?

Absolutely! You can simply skip the first step with the eggs and sugar, and only use the homemade whipped cream. Make sure to use the full 1/2 cup of sugar when whipping the heavy cream if you omit the eggs.  

Is there a mascarpone substitute?

Traditional tiramisu must use mascarpone, but if you have trouble finding it you can substitute with cream cheese. The flavor and consistency will be affected if you do this. Whichever you use, make sure that it is full-fat. Using a low-fat mascarpone or cream cheese can result in a runnier custard.

What if I don’t drink coffee?

If you are not a regular coffee drinker and don’t already have any in your home, you can always grab an espresso at your local coffee shop! If you are avoiding caffeine, you can always use decaf. 

Can I add alcohol?

We are making our tiramisu alcohol-free, but you can add up to 3 tablespoons of dark rum to the cream mixture, and 3 tablespoons of rum to the espresso mixture. 

A Note on Ladyfingers

You should be able to find ladyfingers in most grocery stores, but we have come across a few stores that don’t keep them in stock. If you can’t find them, you can always order them online. Substitution options include sponge cake, pound cake, or biscotti. 

Overhead view of a slice of tiramisu.

Make Ahead Instructions

Tiramisu can be made 2-3 days in advance. Simply keep it in your fridge until you’re ready to eat!

Storage Instructions

Store your tiramisu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Eat all the Desserts!

Watch the video below where Caytlin will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.