The Best Classic Tiramisu (video)
Creamy, fluffy, aromatic and delicious – this is the best classic tiramisu recipe you’ll ever have! My easy tiramisu is made with a creamy vanilla custard filling, combined with sponge cake or ladyfingers, soaked with coffee and Kahlua. Use this Italian dessert recipe to make a traditional tiramisu casserole, or make individual parfait cups, which are perfect for parties! I made this dessert for my sister’s wedding last year and they were the biggest hit at the wedding reception! Homemade tiramisu is easier to make than you think!
My Classic Tiramisu Video Tutorial
Watch my step-by-step YouTube video tutorial to see how I make the best-ever tiramisu recipe! Want to stay up to date on new recipes? Make sure to subscribe to my website emailing list and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications!
Ingredients for Tiramisu Recipe
You’ll love how easy this delicious, classic Italian dessert is to make at home! Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make it:
- Whole Milk: for making the creamy custard or pastry cream, which is the base for the tiramisu filling.
- Egg Yolks, Sugar & Vanilla: for making the filling.
- Cornstarch & All-Purpose Flour: both of these act as thickeners for the pastry cream. Using a combination of these two makes the recipe more fail proof!
- Mascarpone Cheese: soften the cheese for about 15 minutes at room temperature before using in the recipe. Don’t let it soften too much, as that can cause the cheese to separate. Regular cream cheese will also work for this recipe.
- Heavy Cream: use very well chilled heavy cream for making the filling.
- Strong Coffee: use strong brewed coffee or espresso for dipping the sponge cake or ladyfinger cookies.
- Kahlua Coffee Liqueur: this ingredient is optional but it will add lots of great flavor to the dessert! You can also use Amaretto, an almond liqueur, for a more traditional flavor.
- Lady Fingers: you can make my classic sponge cake recipe, or use store-bought lady fingers to assemble the dessert.
Sponge Cake or Lady Fingers?
For my easy tiramisu video tutorial, I decided to make individual parfait cups and to go with a classic sponge cake instead of using lady fingers. I have a hard time finding lady fingers sometimes and using sponge cake has actually turned out to be a better tasting option, too! I prepare the sponge cake in a jelly roll pan, then cut the cake into smaller squares – super easy and the cake is much fluffier and softer than cookies.
- If you want to go with lady fingers, I recommend using the hard, crispy variety. I found these on Amazon (affiliate link).
How To Make Classic Tiramisu
The creamy custard filling in tiramisu is the most important part of the dessert! It’s all about making a creamy, smooth and sweet custard that complements the coffee-soaked cookies or cake. I make my tiramisu filling with a made-from-scratch custard, a bit of cream cheese and whipped cream. This filling is super easy to make but it can break if the instructions are not followed. Here are a few tips for making the filling:
- Cook the custard over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. High heat will cause the cornstarch to break apart, causing the custard to separate. If this does happen, remove the custard from the heat and add the cornstarch slurry again.
- Allow the custard to cool completely before combining with the whipped cream. The custard can be prepared even a few days ahead of time and kept refrigerated.
- Whisk the chilled heavy cream first, then add the cooled custard. Mix just until combined, about 30 seconds. DO NOT overmix the filling.
- To assemble the dessert, either spoon or pipe a bit of the custard filling into the bottom of your parfait cups. Top with several pieces of cake, pressing the cake into the custard. Repeat the process, layering the custard with the soaked sponge cake pieces and finishing the dessert cups with custard filling on top. Garnish the top with a dusting of cocoa powder and a chocolate espresso bean. The dessert can be enjoyed immediately, or refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Assembling Tiramisu Parfaits or a Casserole
This incredible easy, classic tiramisu recipe can be prepared in parfait glasses or the more traditional way in a casserole dish.
- For parties and special events, I recommend making the parfait cups. They are so elegant and the individual servings means guests can help themselves to dessert.
- For family settings, preparing the tiramisu in a large casserole dish or trifle bowl is a great idea. Just include a large spoon for serving!
More Recipes!
Enjoyed this classic dessert recipe? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!
- Pumpkin Tiramisu – this easy pumpkin spice tiramisu is so perfect for fall and Thanksgiving!
- Strawberry Tiramisu Cake – this no-bake strawberry cake is always a huge hit with everyone!
- Tiramisu Crepe Cake Recipe – 40 layers of delicate crepes and tiramisu filling!
- Tiramisu Cheesecake Recipe – rich and fluffy cheesecake with tiramisu flavors!
- Raspberry Tiramisu Cake – The most delicious raspberry cake ever, with creamy tiramisu filling, raspberry liqueur and fresh raspberries!
Share it on Pinterest!
Supplies/Tools
Need some supplies to make this recipe? You can get them here (Amazon affiliate links):
- If you’re making these tiramisu parfaits for a party, use these plastic parfait cups for serving – perfect size and disposable!
- If you’re making these for a special occasion, use these fancy brandy glasses!
- My classic KitchenAid stand mixer is a must for every kitchen, and this smaller handheld mixer will work great, too!
- I love my aluminum half-sheet pans for baking the sponge cake.
The Best Classic Tiramisu Recipe (video)
Ingredients
- 64 lady finger cookies, hard, crispy type
- OR prepare sponge cake
For Sponge Cake:
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
For Custard Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 tbsp flour
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 8 oz mascarpone or cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy cream, chilled
For Assembling:
- 1 cup strong coffee
- 1/3 cup Kahlua, optional
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder, for dusting
Instructions
- This recipe can be prepared using store-bought lady finger cookies, or with my sponge cake recipe. The sponge cake will be softer in texture and require less syrup.
For the Sponge Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper; do not grease the sides. Prepare the sponge cake batter: place the eggs and sugar into a stand mixer bowl. Whisk on high speed for 7 to 8 minutes until the eggs are thick, fluffy and pale in color. Add the vanilla and mix again for 30 seconds. Combine the flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Sift the flour into the eggs in small batches, folding gently but thoroughly after each addition.
- Spread the sponge cake batter onto the prepared pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until the top is a golden brown color. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it cool completely in the pan.
For the Custard:
- Meanwhile, prepare the custard. Pour the milk into a medium-size saucepan and whisk in the flour. Cook the milk over medium heat until steaming hot but not boiling. In a separate bowl, combine the egg yolks and sugar. Mix together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry, then add to the egg yolks. Whisk the egg, sugar and cornstarch mixture for 3 to 4 minutes, until the mixture is thick and pale. (see more tips above in my post)
- Slowly temper the hot milk into the egg yolks, whisking well after each addition. Once all the milk has been added, pour the mixture into the saucepan. Cook the custard over medium heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, for 4 to 5 minutes, until the custard thickens and holds its shape. Remove the custard from heat and add the vanilla, butter and cream cheese. Let the butter and cheese soften for a few minutes, then whisk for a few minutes until the custard is smooth and lump free. Cover the custard with a lid and let cool completely before using.
- Once the custard has cooled, pour the chilled heavy cream into a mixing bowl. Whisk on medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Add the cooled custard and whisk again for 30 seconds, just until the custard is incorporated. Do not overmix!
Assembling the Tiramisu:
- Invert the cooled sponge cake and remove the parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, cut the cooled sponge cake into 1 1/2-inch squares in the pan. Combine teh coffee and Kahlua coffee liqueur in a measuring cup, then slowly pour the coffee over the sponge cake, evenly soaking all the pieces.
- To assemble the dessert, either spoon or pipe a bit of the custard filling into the bottom of your parfait cups. Top with several pieces of cake, pressing the cake into the custard. Repeat the process, layering the custard with the soaked sponge cake pieces and finishing the dessert cups with custard filling on top. Garnish the top with a dusting of cocoa powder and a chocolate espresso bean. The dessert can be enjoyed immediately, or refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Hi Tatyana,
I want to make this for a party. How many servings will the recipe yield if I use the 3oz disposable parfait cups you suggested?
I have tried several of your recipes and they are superb ?