I originally published this popular recipe in 2019 and have since added new photos and success tips. Lots of wonderfully helpful reviews below, too! In 2019, I received a cookbook called Happiness Is Baking. This cookbook includes Maida Heatter’s favorite recipes with the foreword written by Dorie Greenspan. I, unsurprisingly, immediately fell in love with the newest addition to my cookbook shelves. This book is a collection of 100 foolproof and classic desserts including cookies, cakes, muffins, pies, tarts, and more that range from simple everyday cookies to outrageously indulgent chocolate soufflé cake. For those not familiar, Maida Heatter is an icon, and especially in the baking world. Dubbed the Queen of Cake, her expansive culinary career included 9 cookbooks, recipes for the Times, a restaurant, and three James Beard Awards. Baker and author Dorie Greenspan once said, “Whenever someone tells me they want to learn to bake, I tell them to start with Maida Heatter’s books. That’s what I did.” This latest cookbook is a testament to Maida’s legacy. She leaves behind an incalculable amount of inspiration to bakers and cooks all over the world. Her tiramisu is unbelievable and I’m honored to share it with you. This is a classic no-bake Italian dessert combining espresso-dipped ladyfingers and a creamy, lightly sweetened mascarpone cream. Nothing triumphant comes for free, so expect a fair amount of prep work. This recipe requires several bowls and a couple mixing techniques, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.
Tiramisu Layers
There are 2 components and 4 layers in tiramisu. Each component is layered twice. It goes: espresso-dipped ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, remaining espresso-dipped ladyfingers, and remaining mascarpone cream. Dust the whole thing with a dense layer of unsweetened cocoa powder to finish. Maida’s recipe calls for homemade chocolate ladyfingers, and if you own this cookbook, I highly recommend using her chocolate ladyfinger recipe included in it. Most Italian bakeries make fresh ladyfingers as well. However, if you’re desiring a simpler and more convenient approach, use a store-bought variety.
What Are Ladyfingers?
Ladyfingers (savoiardi in Italian) are a sweet, pretty dry, finger-shaped sponge cookie/cake. They’re a main ingredient in many desserts including trifles and tiramisu; and when layered underneath cream, ladyfingers take on a lovely moist cake-like texture. You can find ladyfingers in most large grocery stores, Italian markets, or you can purchase them online. Homemade, as the book uses, is an option too.
Overview: How to Make Tiramisu
The full written and printable recipe is below. The mascarpone, rum, and egg yolk mixture as well as the whipped cream: The mascarpone mixture and whipped cream combined: The whipped egg white mixture and the final mascarpone cream mixture: Let’s layer:
How to Slice and Serve Tiramisu
As with most layered desserts, you can’t be nervous to just dive right in and start serving! Serve square portions. Make even cuts with a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between each cut. A small metal serving spatula to remove the slices is massively helpful.
Common Tiramisu Questions, Answered
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Or view all my dessert recipes.