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Classic Tiramisu Recipe: 3 Tips for Making Tiramisu

Name: Classic Tiramisu Recipe: 3 Tips for Making Tiramisu
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 12 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 5 large egg yolks (egg whites reserved for another use); ⅔ cup sugar; 2 cups mascarpone cheese; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 16 fl oz heavy cream; 1 package ladyfinger cookies; 1 cup brewed espresso (or strong coffee); Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Sep 25, 2026 • 2 min read

In Italian, a “tiramisù” is a little “pick me up.” This popular dessert recipe is straightforward and pairs perfectly with a cup of java.

Learn From the Best

What Is Tiramisu?

Tiramisu is a no-bake Italian dessert. Classic tiramisu features alternating layers of ladyfinger (savoiardi) sponge cake biscuits dipped in espresso, and a thick, creamy blend of nutty mascarpone cheese with egg yolks, sugar, whipped cream, and, occasionally, liquor (like a coffee liqueur or marsala wine). The final layer is dusted with bittersweet cocoa powder or fine chocolate shavings.

What Is Mascarpone?

Mascarpone, also known as Italian cream cheese, is a rich, spreadable cow’s milk cheese with an especially high percentage of butterfat. The creamy cheese has a mildly sweet, almost nutty flavor.

Mascarpone is made by adding tartaric acid or citrus, like lemon juice, to full-fat heavy cream, which naturally separates the curds from the whey. The curds are then cooked further until they’ve taken on a smooth, creamy texture.

3 Tips for Making Tiramisu

If it’s your first time making tiramisu, rest assured that there are many iterations on the form, and many ways to achieve the same indulgent, layered result:

1. Swap the mascarpone. If you don’t have mascarpone, crème fraîche is the closest substitute, both in flavor and texture. Crème fraîche is more acidic than mascarpone and has a slightly pronounced tangy flavor, but works as an adequate substitute. If you have a little extra time, you can also make your own mascarpone.
2. Add liquor for a flavor boost. To give your tiramisu a little extra kick, add a few tablespoons of dark rum, marsala wine, or a liqueur, like Italian amaretto, to the coffee mixture.
3. Assemble in glassware. For neat, square slices, assemble tiramisu in a rectangular baking pan. To showcase the layers, you can assemble the dessert in a large glass bowl and serve it in scoops.