The Ultimate Tiramisu Recipe

The Ultimate Tiramisu Recipe is a medium Italian recipe that serves 8. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by James Hoffmann on YouTube.

Prep: 55 min | Cook: 8 hrs 50 min | Total: 10 hrs

Cost: $24.94 total, $3.12 per serving

Ingredients

  • 8 pieces Egg Yolks (pasteurized via sous‑vide; use at room temperature after cooling)
  • 150 g Cane Sugar (granulated; adjust to taste)
  • 500 g Mascarpone Cheese (full‑fat, chilled)
  • 32 pieces Ladyfinger Biscuits (Savoiardi) (store‑bought; keep one side unsweetened for dunking)
  • 144 g Ground Decaf Espresso Coffee (high‑quality decaf espresso blend; fine grind for strong extraction)
  • 5 g Salt (for 80:20 saline solution; measured with scale)
  • 10 g Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (light‑colored, sustainably sourced; for dusting)
  • ~500 ml Water (for coffee dilution and saline solution; use filtered water)

Instructions

  1. Pasteurize Egg Yolks

    Separate 8 egg yolks, place them in a vacuum seal bag, seal tightly, and submerge in a water bath set to 60°C for 30 minutes.

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: 60°C

  2. Cool Egg Yolks

    Remove the bag, transfer the yolks to an ice‑water bath for about 10 minutes until completely cool.

    Time: PT10M

  3. Prepare Saline Solution

    Dissolve 5 g salt in 20 g hot water, mix until fully dissolved to create an 80:20 water‑to‑salt solution.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Brew Strong Coffee

    Grind 144 g decaf espresso coffee fine, then brew in an espresso machine (or three AeroPress batches: 40 g coffee + 200 g water, plus a final 24 g + 120 g water) to obtain roughly 480 ml of espresso‑strength liquid.

    Time: PT10M

  5. Dilute and Salt the Coffee

    If the espresso volume is below 480 ml, add filtered cold water to reach 480 ml. Add 9 drops of the saline solution (≈0.75 g salt) to the coffee and stir gently.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Whisk Egg Yolks with Sugar

    In a chilled mixing bowl, combine the cooled egg yolks with 150 g cane sugar. Whisk on low speed for 4–5 minutes until the mixture lightens in color and volume increases noticeably.

    Time: PT5M

  7. Incorporate Mascarpone

    Add the 500 g mascarpone to the yolk‑sugar foam in three equal batches, folding gently after each addition until just combined; the mixture should be glossy and hold soft peaks.

    Time: PT3M

  8. First Biscuit Layer & Coffee Dosing

    Place 16 ladyfingers (non‑sugar side up) in the dish. Pour 240 ml of the coffee onto the tray, quickly dunk each biscuit once (short dip). After dunking, brush any remaining coffee onto the biscuits to ensure 15 g coffee per biscuit. Spread half of the mascarpone cream evenly over the layer.

    Time: PT10M

  9. Second Biscuit Layer & Finish

    Repeat with the remaining 16 biscuits using the rest of the coffee, then spread the remaining mascarpone cream. Dust the top generously with sustainable unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine mesh sieve.

    Time: PT10M

  10. Chill to Set

    Cover the tiramisu and refrigerate for at least 8 hours (24 h ideal, up to 48 h). The dessert will firm and flavors will meld.

    Time: PT8H

    Temperature: 4°C

  11. Serve

    Remove from fridge, let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes, then slice and serve. Optionally add an extra dusting of cocoa just before plating.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
6 g
Carbohydrates
35 g
Fat
20 g
Fiber
1 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains gluten, Contains dairy

Allergens: Eggs, Dairy, Gluten

Last updated: April 17, 2026

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The Ultimate Tiramisu Recipe

Recipe by James Hoffmann

A meticulously engineered tiramisu that maximizes coffee flavor and perfects texture through sous‑vide pasteurized egg yolks, precisely strength‑controlled espresso, and a light, airy mascarpone cream. Scalable from a single‑person serving (4 ladyfingers) to a full 8‑person tray (32 ladyfingers).

MediumItalianServes 8

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
9h 15m
Prep
0m
Cook
1h 7m
Cleanup
10h 22m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$24.94
Total cost
$3.12
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Pasteurizing egg yolks at precise 60°C for texture
  • Achieving 6% coffee strength (480 ml from 144 g coffee)
  • Whisking yolk‑sugar mixture to proper foam
  • Dosing exactly 15 g coffee per biscuit to avoid sogginess
  • Layering without crushing biscuits

Safety Warnings

  • Handle hot water and sous‑vide setup with care to avoid burns
  • Egg yolks are pasteurized but still handle hygienically
  • Coffee is hot; avoid splashes

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of tiramisu in Italian cuisine?

A

Tiramisu originated in the Veneto region of Italy in the 1960s and quickly became a classic layered dessert, celebrated for its balance of coffee, cocoa, and creamy mascarpone. It traditionally symbolizes a “pick‑me‑up” (the name means “lift me up”) due to the energizing espresso and cocoa flavors.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of tiramisu in Italy?

A

In some regions, tiramisu is made with Marsala wine or liqueur instead of coffee, while others use different biscuits like savoiardi versus sponge cake. The classic Veneto version emphasizes strong espresso and a light mascarpone foam, which this recipe follows.

cultural
Q

How is tiramisu traditionally served in Italy?

A

Tiramisu is usually served chilled in a rectangular or square dish, dusted with cocoa powder, and cut into squares. It is often presented as a dessert after a multi‑course Italian meal, sometimes accompanied by a small glass of espresso.

cultural
Q

During which occasions is tiramisu commonly enjoyed in Italian culture?

A

Tiramisu is popular at family gatherings, holidays such as Christmas and Easter, and as a celebratory dessert for birthdays and weddings. Its coffee‑forward profile makes it a favorite after dinner when a light, uplifting finish is desired.

cultural
Q

What makes this ultimate tiramisu special compared to typical recipes?

A

James Hoffmann’s version uses sous‑vide pasteurized egg yolks for a silk‑smooth cream, a precisely measured 6 % coffee strength for consistent flavor, and a saline solution to fine‑tune salt balance, resulting in a texture that is both airy and moist without soggy biscuits.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making James Hoffmann’s ultimate tiramisu?

A

Common errors include under‑cooking the egg yolks (which prevents proper gelling), over‑soaking the ladyfingers, not achieving the correct coffee strength, and over‑mixing the mascarpone which can collapse the foam. Follow the timing and dosing steps precisely.

technical
Q

Why does this tiramisu recipe use a saline solution instead of measuring salt directly?

A

The saline solution provides a consistent 0.75 g of salt per 480 ml of coffee, which is difficult to weigh accurately at home. Using drops from a calibrated dropper ensures repeatable salinity without risking an overly salty dessert.

technical
Q

Can I make James Hoffmann’s ultimate tiramisu ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Prepare the coffee, mascarpone cream, and assemble the layers up to the final cocoa dusting. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 8–48 hours. The dessert improves with time as flavors meld, but avoid freezing as the texture will suffer.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the mascarpone cream is properly whisked?

A

The yolk‑sugar foam should be pale yellow, increased in volume, and hold soft peaks. After adding mascarpone, the mixture should appear glossy, slightly thickened, and still be able to hold soft peaks without becoming liquid.

technical
Q

How do I know when the coffee strength is correct for this tiramisu?

A

The final coffee liquid should be 480 ml total, providing roughly 15 g of coffee per biscuit (≈6 % strength). If you brew espresso, the volume will be less than 480 ml and you top up with cold water; the taste should be strong but not bitter.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel James Hoffmann specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel James Hoffmann focuses on coffee science, brewing techniques, equipment reviews, and coffee‑centric culinary experiments, delivering detailed, research‑backed content for coffee enthusiasts and home baristas.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel James Hoffmann's approach to coffee‑infused desserts differ from other cooking channels?

A

James Hoffmann applies rigorous coffee‑science methodology—precise temperature control, strength calculations, and flavor balance—to desserts, whereas most cooking channels treat coffee as a flavor add‑in without detailed measurement. This results in reproducible, high‑quality coffee desserts like his ultimate tiramisu.

channel

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