Traditional Tiramisu with Homemade Ladyfingers
Traditional Tiramisu with Homemade Ladyfingers is a intermediate Italian recipe that serves 12. 380 calories per serving.
Prep: 1 hr 45 min | Cook: 15 min | Total: 3 hrs 5 min
Cost: $19.10 total, $1.59 per serving
Ingredients
- 11 large Eggs (Divided (6 for ladyfingers, 5 for mascarpone cream), use the freshest possible)
- 230 grams Granulated sugar (Divided (60g + 120g for ladyfingers, 50g + 25g for mascarpone cream))
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (For ladyfingers)
- 170 grams Cake flour (For ladyfingers)
- 0.5 teaspoon Kosher salt (For ladyfingers)
- as needed Powdered sugar (For dusting ladyfingers before baking)
- 450 grams Mascarpone cheese (Room temperature)
- 1 cup Heavy cream (For stabilizing mascarpone cream)
- 1 cup Freshly brewed strong coffee (Cooled to room temperature; espresso preferred)
- 2 tablespoons Marsala wine (optional) (Optional, for coffee soak)
- as needed Cocoa powder (For dusting top)
Instructions
Separate Eggs for Ladyfingers
Separate 6 eggs, placing yolks in one bowl and whites in another. Ensure no yolk contaminates the whites.
Time: PT5M
Whip Egg Yolks for Ladyfingers
Beat 6 egg yolks with 60g sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract on high speed until pale and thick (ribbon stage, about 4-5 minutes).
Time: PT5M
Clean Bowl and Whip Egg Whites
Thoroughly clean the mixer bowl. Beat 6 egg whites until frothy (30 seconds), then gradually add 120g sugar while beating to stiff, glossy peaks (about 4 minutes).
Time: PT5M
Combine Yolks and Whites (Sacrifice Method)
Fold one-third of the whipped egg whites into the yolk mixture to lighten, then gently fold in the remaining whites until just streaky.
Time: PT3M
Sift and Fold in Dry Ingredients
Sift 170g cake flour and 0.5 tsp kosher salt over the egg mixture. Gently fold in until just combined, checking for hidden flour pockets.
Time: PT3M
Pipe or Spread Ladyfinger Batter
Transfer batter to a piping bag with a wide round tip. Pipe into lines or spread evenly on a parchment-lined, greased half-sheet pan.
Time: PT5M
Dust and Bake Ladyfingers
Dust piped batter with powdered sugar. Bake at 375°F (preferably convection) for 10-12 minutes until set, lightly browned, and edges pull away.
Time: PT12M
Temperature: 375°F
Cool Ladyfingers
Let ladyfingers cool completely on the pan before removing or cutting.
Time: PT20M
Prepare Eggs for Mascarpone Cream
Separate 5 eggs. Place yolks and whites in separate bowls.
Time: PT3M
Whip Egg Whites for Cream
Beat 5 egg whites with 25g sugar to stiff peaks (about 3 minutes).
Time: PT3M
Whip Egg Yolks for Cream
Beat 5 egg yolks with 50g sugar until pale and thick (about 3 minutes).
Time: PT3M
Fold Yolks into Mascarpone
Gently fold egg yolks into 450g room temperature mascarpone using the sacrifice method: add one-third first, then the rest, folding gently until just streaky.
Time: PT3M
Fold in Egg Whites
Fold one-third of whipped egg whites into the mascarpone-yolk mixture, then gently fold in the rest until just combined.
Time: PT3M
Whip and Fold in Heavy Cream
Whip 1 cup heavy cream to soft peaks. Gently fold into mascarpone mixture to stabilize and thicken.
Time: PT5M
Prepare Coffee Soak
Brew 1 cup strong coffee and let cool to room temperature. Stir in 2 tbsp Marsala wine if using.
Time: PT5M
Assemble Tiramisu - First Layer
Spread a thin layer of mascarpone cream in a 13x9 inch casserole. Place first layer of ladyfingers (trim to fit if needed). Brush generously with coffee soak until just saturated but not soggy.
Time: PT7M
Add Cream and Second Layer
Spread a little less than half of the mascarpone cream over the soaked ladyfingers. Add second layer of ladyfingers and repeat coffee soak.
Time: PT7M
Finish with Cream and Cocoa
Spread or pipe remaining mascarpone cream on top. Dust generously with cocoa powder.
Time: PT5M
Chill Tiramisu
Cover and refrigerate tiramisu for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) to set.
Time: PT4H
Temperature: 4°C
Final Cocoa Dusting and Serve
Dust with more cocoa powder before serving. For clean slices, dip knife in hot water and wipe between cuts.
Time: PT5M
Cleanup
Wash all bowls, mixer attachments, spatulas, pans, piping bag, sieve, and utensils used.
Time: PT1H5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 380
- Protein
- 7g
- Carbohydrates
- 37g
- Fat
- 22g
- Fiber
- 1g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, low-calorie
Allergens: Eggs, Dairy, Gluten
Last updated: April 7, 2026





