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Giovanna’s Family Secret Tiramisu Recipe

February 18, 2013

Tiramisu is possibly the best food in the world.

Sweet, cold, creamy, with the bite of coffee and liquor. But I rarely have it, and almost never make it. I’ve found that restaurants in the U.S. get something wrong (not sure what it is—too bready? flavor’s off?) and while actually making tiramisu isn’t difficult, finding the right ingredients IS.

Giovanna's Homemade Tiramisu | Easy, authentic tiramisu recipe from my Italian host mom...not as hard as you think, & feels so fancy. Perfect to make ahead of time too. #tiramisu #dessert

My host mom from when I studied abroad, Giovanna, was the best cook and gave me her family’s recipes for her pasta con pesto and homemade tiramisu. And all of the sudden last Saturday night, I got it in my head that I HAD to make it for dinner the next evening. However, none of the stores had lady fingers (I called around), so I made my own homemade ladyfingers. It was surprisingly easy. Or you could substitute madeleines or pound cake or angel food cake (the first would be better than the other two).

Giovanna's Homemade Tiramisu | Easy, authentic tiramisu recipe from my Italian host mom...not as hard as you think, & feels so fancy. Perfect to make ahead of time too. #tiramisu #dessert

tiramisu finished2

I even made myself my own little personal-size serving in a cute little ramekin that I could eat that night! 

Separate the egg yolks and whites VERY carefully. If you get any yolk in the egg whites, they won’t set up when beaten.

tiramisu eggs separated

Place the 5 egg yolks in a food processor with 5 large spoonfuls of sugar.

tiramisu eggs sugar

Add the mascarpone and a little lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy.

tiramisu mascarpone

tiramisu mascarpone creamy mixture

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with a tiny bit of salt with a hand mixer until stiff and glossy, like you would for a meringue or souffle.

tiramisu egg white whipped

In another bowl, GENTLY fold together the creamy mixture with the whipped egg whites until combined. I use a rubber spatula and just slowly scoop down under the mixture, then fold back over it.

In a small bowl or flat dish, pour hot, strong coffee (or espresso) and some liquor, preferably flavored. I use kahlua most often, but you could use whatever you want (Grand Marnier, amaretto, etc.). Add a tiny bit more sugar as well. Take the ladyfingers and briefly dip them in the coffee mixture, then lay them down in the dish you’re using for the tiramisu. Set down a layer of soaked ladyfingers to begin with.

tiramisu ladyfingers coffee pan

Next, scoop a layer of the creamy mixture all over the ladyfingers and smooth it out. Then another layer of ladyfingers, and then another layer of cream.

tiramisu first layer complete

tiramisu second layer complete

If you’re serving your homemade tiramisu right away, sprinkle some cocoa powder on top (I sprinkle it through a sieve to get that nice even spread). If you’re not serving right away (which I recommend), put in the fridge for however long you need, a couple hours are best. Don’t sprinkle the cocoa until you’re ready to serve (it gets really dark and soaked in otherwise).

Giovanna's Homemade Tiramisu | Easy, authentic tiramisu recipe from my Italian host mom...not as hard as you think, & feels so fancy. Perfect to make ahead of time too. #tiramisu #dessert

The next part’s the easiest—DEVOUR. I love this stuff so much, might be my favorite food ever.

tiramisu finished4

This homemade tiramisu is perfect to make for a dinner party because it’s actually better if you make it ahead of time…giving it time to set makes the texture better and I like it best fairly cold.

Other Italian classics you’ll love:

  • Giovanna’s Pasta con Pesto
  • Traditional Authentic Tiramisu
  • Traditional Tuscan Pasta with Walnut Sauce & Rocket
  • Grilled Naples-Style Margherita Pizza
  • The Best, Simple Burrata Caprese Salad

Giovanna’s Homemade Tiramisu

  • 500 grams of mascarpone (two of the small containers)
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 5 big spoonfuls (like serving spoon, not teaspoon) of sugar
  • Strong coffee or espresso
  • A little dessert wine or liqueur (like a shot’s worth; I used kahlua)
  • 1 or 2 packages of ladyfingers (or biscotti in a pinch, but it’s much harder); recipe here if you need it
  • A tiny bit of lemon juice
  • A tiny bit more sugar

Separate the egg yolks and whites. Put the 5 yolks and the 5 big spoonfuls of sugar in a mixer (or food processor) and blend. Add the mascarpone and a tiny bit of lemon juice, and blend well. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with a little salt with a hand mixer until stiff (like you would for a meringue or souffle). Gently and slowly fold the egg whites into the cream mixture with a rubber spatula (do it gently so you don’t deflate the egg whites).

In a flat bowl, mix the espresso/coffee, liqueur/dessert wine, and a little sugar.  Dip the ladyfingers into this mixture and layer in a pan (this makes the equivalent of an 8×8 pan. Spread some cream mixture on top. Layer more soaked ladyfingers on top, more cream, etc. Top layer should be cream, and you can sprinkle/sift some cocoa on top. If necessary, refrigerate overnight (in this case I wouldn’t put the cocoa on until you’re ready to serve. Serve cold.

Giovanna's Homemade Tiramisu | Easy, authentic tiramisu recipe from my Italian host mom...not as hard as you think, & feels so fancy. Perfect to make ahead of time too. #tiramisu #dessert

12 Comments CATEGORIES // Desserts, Family Secret Recipes, Foods I'm Obsessed With

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Comments

  1. nutsfortreasure says

    February 18, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    Chowder then dessert! YUM Thanks

    Reply
  2. nutsfortreasure says

    February 18, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    Reblogged this on Living and Lovin.

    Reply
  3. Stephen G. Hipperson says

    February 18, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    Tiramisu is one of my favourites, unfortunately nobody else in the family is that keen on it, so I usually only have it if I go out for something to eat.

    Reply
  4. coastalcrone says

    February 18, 2013 at 4:14 pm

    Looks perfect! Thanks for the recipe! I make a shortcut version but I am sure this is better!

    Reply
  5. soonie2 says

    February 18, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    Mmm, my favorite! I’m definitely going to try this version!

    Reply
  6. petit4chocolatier says

    February 18, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    One of my favorites and this looks scrumptious!!

    Reply
  7. The Wanderlust Gene says

    February 19, 2013 at 12:37 am

    Now, that’ looks like the tiramisu I like – no wonder it never tastes right ‘out’ – they always drown it in chocolate!

    Reply
    • starshy926 says

      February 19, 2013 at 7:23 am

      I know, Wanderlust Gene! I’ve never understood why they do that, it just makes it taste way too sweet and kind of boring to me.

      Reply
  8. Amy says

    November 24, 2015 at 9:42 pm

    Do you soak the second layer of ladyfingers as well?

    Reply
    • starshy926 says

      November 24, 2015 at 11:05 pm

      Yep! Always want to soak the ladyfingers so they are dry and crumbly. Hope it turns out well!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Giovanna’s Pasta con Pesto – finding time for cooking says:
    April 20, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    […] I mentioned back in my tiramisu post a few months ago, I studied in Italy during college on a language immersion program, and I […]

    Reply
  2. Drunken Cheesy Bread – finding time for cooking says:
    January 2, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    […]  what should one serve at a girls’ night with wine, tiramisu, and Magic Mike […]

    Reply

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