Food News and Trends This Easy Tiramisu Is the Ultimate Shortcut Dessert Save yourself some money and effort with these unexpected ingredients. By Sarra Sedghi Sarra Sedghi Sarra Sedghi has more than 10 years of experience as a food writer. She covers cooking, restaurants, and food culture, as well as travel, design, and lifestyle. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on August 4, 2021 Close Photo: NicoleMcmom Tiramisu isn't exactly the kind of dessert you whip up on a whim. It requires specific and pricey ingredients, like ladyfinger cookies and mascarpone cheese, that you likely don't already have on hand. But! Tiramisu on a budget is possible. Here's how. Just three common ingredients will help you land a tiramisu that's both easier and more budget-friendly. Since the base of this shortcut tiramisu is still coffee, we used a substitute that's a classic pairing: mini doughnuts. You'll also save time here because you don't need to break the doughnuts in half like you would with ladyfingers. The other two shortcut ingredients, boxed vanilla pudding mix, and thawed whipped topping allow you to bypass the expense of mascarpone and the labor that comes with making your own whipped cream. From there, proceed with the layering technique as normal. We won't call this an authentic tiramisu by any means, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth appreciating. With less hands-on work and a lower price point, this is a tiramisu anyone can make. Get the Recipe: Coffee and Donuts Tiramisu Related: How to Make the Easiest Chocolate Cake From Scratch The Easiest Way to Make Virtually ANY Baked Good Taste So Much Better 20 Pantry Desserts That Don't Need Butter, Milk, or Eggs Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit