- Home
- Our Recipes
- Tiramisu Recipe
Join A Secret Italy
Not sure if this recipe is made for you? Try our quiz for the answer.
Last time I had tiramisu in Italy, it was after dinner at my friend Rita’s. There were eight of us, and we had just enjoyed a delicious meal. While we were all savouring our dessert, there were thirty seconds of silence, soon followed by comments from everybody on how scrumptious it was.
I noticed how light and fluffy the texture of Rita’s tiramisu was, while she remarked that she loved my own version with a chocolate mousse layer in it. Laura’s eyes lit up when she heard about a chocolate layer in my tiramisu, and while I explained how I made it, Gina remarked that she didn’t use any egg whites in hers. "No egg whites?" asked Rita. "But they’re important, because they give volume to the mousse."
Gina believed that the egg whites weren’t necessary and she wanted to stick to the original recipe which didn’t have any egg whites in it. I asked Rita how her mascarpone mousse had achieved such fluffy texture and she explained that she had used a little whipping cream as well.
The guys didn’t seem that interested in our conversation, they were more interested in having seconds, but we carried on talking and I smiled at the idea that four ladies, who all made tiramisu regularly, managed to prepare it in different ways.
Some used cream, others didn’t, some used egg whites, others didn’t, some used coffee, others used alcohol, some used sponge fingers/lady fingers, others preferred sponge cake instead. And I’m only talking about the classic, the traditional tiramisu. Don’t even get me started on the other variations of tiramisus. Because then our conversation moved on.
Rita, for example, revealed that she made a mean orange tiramisu, and also a pineapple one. Laura, while we were at it, told us about her wonderful banana tiramisu, Gina mentioned trying a fantastic limoncello one at a restaurant.
While I was listening with my mouth open, I remembered how at some children’s parties I had noticed tiramisus for children without coffee or alcohol, or some really cute tiramisu cakes, or when once my sister-in-law during a hot summer evening, after coming back from the beach, offered me a slice of strawberry tiramisu.
So, one day, when back home I was making my chocolate tiramisu, I thought again about all these ways in which we make tiramisu in Italy, and I realized that I could gather all these recipes in a book and share them with others. That's howTiramisu Recipes from Italian Friends and Family was born.
The recipe below is from the book...enjoy!
Giulia's Traditional Tiramisu
Ingredients
Serves 6–8
5 eggs
250 g (9 oz) sugar
500 g (1 lb 2 oz) [2 cups] mascarpone
300 ml (1 1/4 cups) espresso coffee
300 g (10.5 oz) sponge fingers/ladyfingers (they usually come in 200 g (7 oz) packs)
Dark chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
1) Separate the eggs, placing all the yolks in one bowl and the whites of 3 eggs in another bowl. Discard 2 egg whites.
2) Whisk the yolks with the sugar until you get a light, pale mousse.
3) Add the mascarpone, and mix until you obtain a smooth cream.
4) Beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
5) With a wooden spoon, fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mousse, with slow movements, working from the bottom of the bowl upwards.
6) Choose a serving dish for your tiramisu. Line the bottom of the dish with a layer of half of the sponge fingers.
7) Pour some coffee over the sponge fingers, enough to moisten them, but not to soak them completely.
8) Place a layer of mascarpone mousse over the sponge fingers.
9) Dip the remaining biscuits in the coffee and put another layer over the mousse.
10) Cover the biscuits with another layer of mascarpone mousse.Decorate the top with grated plain chocolate or dust with cocoa powder.
Refrigerate for four hours before serving.
Suggestions: the traditional tiramisu recipe uses cocoa powder, but sometimes Giulia prefers to use grated plain chocolate to decorate the dessert. Add a few berries and mint leaves too.
The quantities for this tiramisu will fit a dish of 22 x 25 cm (8½ x 10 inches), with two sponge finger layers. But it’s important to remember that you can have as many layers as you want. You could have a smaller dish with three layers, or a larger dish with one layer. You might also like to serve this tiramisu in single glass cups - in that case you'll add mousse at the bottom and have two layers of sponge fingers.
For more of the recipes seen in the photo below get yourself a copy of Tiramisu Recipes from Italian Friends and Family.
Our Tiramisu Recipe Video
Print Recipe
Below are some of the other recipes in Martina's tiramisu book
Please Book with Us...Maria here,if you enjoy my site I'd love your support.
Simply book your next trip anywhere (not only to Italy) via the link belowor with any of the hotel links on the website.
You'll get the best deal available and the income I receive helps me to remainindependent and to keep bringing you more of beautiful Italy.
You'll Enjoy These...
A Traditional Italian Asparagus Recipe
Experience this traditional Italian asparagus recipe, rooted in the flavors of the Veneto region. This and more delectable Italian dishes are on our blog.
These Veneto & Venice restaurants don’t cater for the tourist trade but to locals and you won’t find many of these restaurants in any guide book.
The Venice Food and Recipe Guide
Discover the great cuisine of the Veneto and Italy with us. You simply have to try our Cannoli recipe.. and hear the amazing story behind the recipe.
The Best Recipe for Sardines from Venice Italy
The best Sardine recipe is from Venice Italy. It is not difficult to make and is known as Sarde in Saor. Sour Sardines in English. Sounds weird. Tastes great
A Traditional Homemade Polenta Recipe
This polenta recipe is one hundred percent traditional. It is the way my nonna (granny) has made it for decades. You'll love it!
The Secret Cannoli Recipe of Zia Rosalinda
It took me years to get my aunt Rosalinda to share her authentic Sicilian cannoli recipe but... at last... I can let you in on the secret.
A Great Restaurant in Venice Italy
The Ristorante Antico Dolo is a great restaurant in Venice Italy. Located in a 15th century building, this is one of the top restaurants in Venice.
The Lake Garda Restaurant Guide
The Lake Garda Restaurant Guide features many restaurants around Lake Garda. This restaurant, though, is the best of all Lake Garda restaurants.
The Italian Recipe Quiz
Discover the perfect Italian recipe for you with our quiz. There's a dish made in heaven for you!
Veneto Restaurants - The Irma Restaurant
The Veneto Restaurants Guide selects some of our favorite restaurants in this region of Italy. The Irma Restaurant is the best for hearty country dishes.
Spaghetti Bolognese Does NOT Exist in Italy.
Spaghetti Bolognese does not exist in Italy; however, the real Italian version is far more delicious... and we have the recipe just for you.
Aperol Spritz - an Italian Summer in Every Glass
Can't get to Italy? Then bring a little Italy to wherever you are in this great big wonderful world with our Aperol spritz recipe: it turns anywhere into Italy!
Discovered -The Best Italian Cookbook
I have spent ages searching for the best Italian cookbook translated into or written in English. Let me share the results of all those long hours of research - the four best Italian recipe books.
The Best Italian Recipes for Chicken
Gallina Ubriaca otherwise known as The Drunk Chicken Recipe, is one of my all-time favorite Italian recipes for chicken. It is from the Veneto region of Italy.
Our Authentic Italian Cookies Recipe - Almond and Orange Heaven
A lovely recipe for Authentic Italian Cookies from Italy, these cookies are great to dip into coffee and are a perfect breakfast treat.
Visiting Venice? Want to explore a little of the wonderful Veneto region in which Venice is located? Then our Veneto and Venice itinerary is just what you need.
A Best Gnocchi Recipe Ever and Easy to Make Too
Every Italian grandmother has her own particular special touch that makes her gnocchi recipe the best in Italy. This is, though, the best gnocchi recipe ever!
The Best of the Venice Restaurant Guide
A marvelous restaurant, no other restaurant in our Veneto and Venice Restaurant Guide can beat the Ristorante da Riccardo – Absolutely superb dining.
Venice Italy Restaurants Guide
The Venice Italy Restaurants Guide features some of the best restaurants in Venice. The Osteria Anice Stellato is one such...
Quick Easy Chicken Recipes from Italy
We have an abundance of quick easy chicken recipes and other great Italian recipes on the site. All are authentic, easy to make and delicious of course!
The Best Luxury Hotels in Venice Italy
Discover the epitome of luxury in Venice. Explore my insider's guide to the best luxury hotels in Venice, where opulence meets elegance.
Need a Good Restaurant in Padova?
Need a good restaurant in Padova? Well, we've discovered just the place: a little family run restaurant serving traditional dishes in the heart of the old town.
Mamma's Italian Meatballs Recipe
My mamma makes the BEST Italian meatballs recipe. Yes, the BEST. They are to die for and if you don't believe me, cook up a pot of them yourself. I dare you...
Trattoria alla Vedova
A good restaurant in Venice Italy that I can highly recommend is the Trattoria alla Vedova. My review explains why.
Sorrento Sunshine Awaits in Every Dish of Spaghetti al Limoncello
I make this spaghetti recipe and I'm on the Amalfi Coast. I can feel that gentle breeze in the air, fragrant with the scent of the sea, jasmine and lemons.
More Travel Tips:
- Book your tickets to museums and other attractions in advance on Tiqets.com
- Book your accommodation. Booking.comandAgodahelp you to book accommodation in advance
- Book your excursions. Wherever you go, make the most of your time! Excursions with professional guides will help you do this - choose a location and the best option for yourself on Viator or Getyourguide
- Book your car. At least a month before is best. Use Discover Car Hire.
- Cash Back on Flights: Great deals & money back with WayAway
- Get peace of mind when traveling. Get insured with VisitorsCoverage.com
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
- Home
- Our Recipes
- Tiramisu Recipe