Skip to content

A little adventure for your everyday table

Italy · Homemade, your way

Classic Tiramisu

Layer coffee-dipped ladyfingers with a light mascarpone cream for an egg-free filling in this chilled, cocoa-dusted tiramisu.

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 0 min
Total time: 6 hr 25 min
Servings: 8

↓ Jump to recipe

VegetarianMake Ahead

An individual serving of tiramisu with cocoa. — Photo: Anna.Massini · Source · CC BY 4.0. Serving suggestion.

This version keeps the familiar coffee, cocoa, and mascarpone flavors while using whipped cream instead of eggs in the filling. Traditional ladyfingers usually contain eggs, so the entire dessert is not egg-free unless you choose an egg-free brand. Brief dipping prevents soggy layers, and six hours in the refrigerator gives the filling time to firm.

Let’s make it

Classic Tiramisu

Serves 8 · Prep 25 min · Cook 0 min · Rest 6 hr · Total 6 hr 25 min

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled
1 cup cold heavy cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 container (8 oz) mascarpone, cool but spreadable
24 crisp ladyfinger cookies
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Step-by-step instructions

Pour cooled coffee into a shallow dish. Beat cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to medium peaks that hold their shape but still bend at the tips.
Stir mascarpone briefly to loosen it. Fold in one-third of the whipped cream, then gently fold in the remainder until evenly combined.
Dip twelve ladyfingers into coffee for about 1 second per side. Arrange in an 8-inch (20 cm) square dish, breaking cookies to fit. Spread half the cream over them.
Repeat dipping and layering with remaining cookies and cream. Cover without touching the surface and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
Sift cocoa over the top just before cutting into eight portions.

A few kitchen notes

Stop whipping mascarpone as soon as it is smooth; overworking can split it.

Ingredient substitutions

Use decaffeinated coffee in the same amount.

Storage & reheating

Keep covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Return to the refrigerator promptly after serving.

What to serve with it

Serve with espresso or a handful of fresh raspberries.

A conversation around the table

Comments & kitchen questions

Have a question, a useful substitution, or a result to share? Your feedback helps us make this recipe clearer and more useful.

Loading the kitchen conversation…

Questions from the kitchen

Can I make Classic Tiramisu ahead?

Keep covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Return to the refrigerator promptly after serving.

What if I can’t find an ingredient?

Use decaffeinated coffee in the same amount.