Description
An authentic, no-bake Italian dessert featuring layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and a rich, airy mascarpone cream. This easy-to-make treat is best when chilled overnight, allowing the flavors to meld into a complex, elegant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (450g) mascarpone cheese, cold
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream, cold
- 6 large egg yolks
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (480ml) strong espresso or very strong coffee, cooled
- 24–30 ladyfingers (dry, crisp type)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
- 2–3 tablespoons Marsala wine or rum (optional)
Instructions
- Brew strong espresso or coffee and stir in Marsala wine or rum if using. Pour into a shallow bowl and let cool completely to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar on medium-high speed for 4-5 minutes until pale, thick, and fluffy.
- Reduce mixer speed to low and add mascarpone cheese. Beat gently until just combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- In a separate cold bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Add one-third of the whipped cream to the mascarpone mixture and stir gently to lighten. Fold in the remaining cream using a rubber spatula with a cutting motion until no white streaks remain.
- Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the cooled coffee mixture (1-2 seconds per side) and place in a single layer at the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spread half of the cream mixture over the first layer of ladyfingers. Repeat with a second layer of dipped ladyfingers and the remaining cream.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.
- Before serving, dust the top generously with unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine-mesh sieve. Slice with a sharp knife and serve cold.
Notes
Keep all ingredients cold for best results. Dip ladyfingers quickly to avoid sogginess. Do not freeze, as the cream will separate upon thawing. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free ladyfingers. For a vegan version, substitute mascarpone with cashew cream and heavy cream with coconut cream.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 22
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
Keywords: tiramisu, italian dessert, no bake dessert, mascarpone, coffee dessert, make ahead dessert, classic tiramisu, easy dessert