Tiramisu Recipe from Scratch:

Ingredients:

For the Mascarpone Cream:

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (8 oz) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled

For the Coffee Soaking Syrup:

  • 1 1/2 cups strong brewed coffee, cooled
  • 1/4 cup coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa) or dark rum (optional)

For the Assembly:

  • 24-30 Italian ladyfinger cookies (savoiardi)
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the mascarpone cream: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture is pale and creamy.
  2. Add the mascarpone cheese to the egg yolk mixture and whisk until smooth and well combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whip the chilled heavy whipping cream until it forms stiff peaks.
  4. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream. Set aside.
  5. Prepare the coffee soaking syrup: In a shallow dish, combine the cooled brewed coffee and coffee liqueur or dark rum (if using). Set aside.
  6. Assemble the tiramisu: Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee soaking syrup (do not soak them, just a quick dip) and arrange them in a single layer in the bottom of an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch square dish. You may need to break some ladyfingers to fit the dish.
  7. Spread half of the mascarpone cream evenly over the layer of ladyfingers.
  8. Repeat the process by dipping the remaining ladyfingers in the coffee soaking syrup and arranging them in a second layer on top of the mascarpone cream.
  9. Spread the remaining mascarpone cream over the second layer of ladyfingers, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  10. Cover the tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the mascarpone cream to set.
  11. Before serving, remove the plastic wrap and dust the top of the tiramisu with unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine-mesh sieve.
  12. Use a sharp knife to cut the tiramisu into squares or rectangles, and serve chilled.

Enjoy your homemade tiramisu! This classic Italian dessert is best enjoyed within a couple of days of making it, and its flavor will continue to develop as it sits in the refrigerator.