How to Make Creamy, Dreamy Tiramisu At Home

Bring the restaurant right to your door with this decadent Italian classic.

Tiramisu, made with coffee-soaked cookies, rich egg yolk-based pudding, and cream whipped light as air, is the velvety Italian dessert of your dreams. And this classic bakery treat doesn't need to be complicated — all you have to do is follow a few simple steps, chill, and enjoy. Watch Nicole McLaughlin break down this deliciously silky and sweet tiramisu recipe and have an impressive dessert ready to serve in no time.

Proof Is in the Pudding

Egg yolks, sugar, and milk make up the luscious custard base for classic tiramisu. Bring the mixture to a boil, constantly whisking, until the consistency is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Let your pudding cool completely before incorporating mascarpone cheese and layering over ladyfingers.

No time for homemade pudding? The boxed variety works just as well. Prepare pudding mix according to package directions, then stir in additional ingredients for a fuss-free shortcut. Rich mascarpone adds a tangy sweetness that makes the pudding layer even more spreadable and delicious.

side view of a square slice of tiramisu showing the layers of ladyfingers and custard, topped with chocolate shavings
Connie Ding

Get the recipe for the tiramisu of your dreams here.

Coffee Break

Tiramisu's trademark bittersweet flavor comes from ladyfingers soaked in a coffee and rum mixture. If you'd like to make an alcohol-free tiramisu, simply replace the rum with additional coffee (or espresso for a bolder taste). Alternatively, add in a few more tablespoons of your favorite dark spirit for a boozier bite.

Ladyfingers are highly absorbent, so a quick dip into the coffee mixture is more than enough to ensure that they are packed with flavor. Layer the cookies in the base of a 7 x 11 baking dish, first covering them with the mascarpone pudding mixture, then topping with vanilla whipped cream. You'll repeat the layers once more and finish the dessert with a light dusting of cocoa powder. Now the hard part — waiting 4 to 6 hours for the flavors to marry. After a thorough chill, dive into your tiramisu and enjoy every luxurious slice.

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