Traditional Tiramisu

Name: Traditional Tiramisu
Prep time: 6 h 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 6 egg yolks; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 8 oz mascarpone cheese, room temperature; 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 24 ladyfingers; 1 1/2 cup espresso; 1/2 cup Kahlua coffee liqueur, optional; 2 tbsp dark chocolate, shaved, optional; 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

ByCaitlyn February 2, 2026February 26, 2026

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Bring home a slice of Italy with this Traditional Tiramisu recipe. Creamy mascarpone layers come together with espresso-soaked ladyfingers beneath a delicate coating of cocoa powder, creating a decadent dessert that is sure to “cheer you up.”

Close-up of fresh tiramisu dessert on plate with mint garnish.

Cheer Me Up

Have you ever finished a meal and still wanted something sweet? I know I have. I thoroughly believe that there is a separate stomach made solely for dessert, and what better to fill it with than traditional Italian tiramisu?

After I arrived in Venice, Italy for a two-week tour through the country, I was overcome with excitement! There was a buzz in the air as people gathered at local restaurants and walked the narrow historic streets. Pizza, pasta, and pastries stretched as far as the eye could see. Just what I imagined Italy to be.

Gnocchi for lunch and pizza for dinner, carbs were my friend. I was home! After eating my way through the city, I needed something to satisfy my sweet tooth. Some traditional tiramisu is just what I was looking for. The name literally translates to “cheer me up.” In the birthplace of the classic Italian dessert, it would have been a crime not to indulge, so I did just that, I indulged. I cannot confirm or deny whether I visited heaven that day.

Back at my home in Utah, I went straight to the grocery store and bought all the ingredients to make my own piece of heavenly tiramisu. After some trial and error, I found the perfect combination of flavors and technique that brought me right back to Venice.

Why THIS Recipe?

The first time I ever tried making tiramisu, I totally botched it. It was nothing like what I ate in Italy. Off I went to Pinterest in search of some inspiration to try again. With the right tools and some experimenting, I finally found some things that worked to bring home that little slice of heaven. Creamy, with a touch of sweet mascarpone cheese, combined with perfectly soaked espresso-dipped ladyfingers, all layered together underneath a dusting of cocoa powder. This recipe takes little time and few utensils for prep, but is rich in flavor.

The Things Inside: The Ingredients

Egg Yolks – fresh egg yolks are a must
Granulated Sugar – any brand will do, you can also run it through the blender or food processor to make it extra fine
Mascarpone Cheese – make sure you get enough and let it come to room temp
Heavy Whipping Cream – any kind is just fine
Vanilla Extract – make sure to get a quality extract for the proper flavor
Ladyfingers – the key component in tiramisu, so make sure to get a good brand
Espresso – another key ingredient in the recipe, so make sure it is strong and quality
Kahlua Coffee Liqueur – optional, but highly recommended for added flavor
Dark Chocolate Shavings – another optional ingredient, but recommended for added richness
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – you don’t need much, so whatever brand you have on hand is ideal

Building The Dish: Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1
Let’s get those yolks prepped! Add the egg yolks and sugar to a metal or glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. Whisk the mixture continuously for about five minutes until it turns pale and has a smooth texture.
Step 2
Continue whisking once off the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
Step 3
Mix in the cheese. Add in the room temperature mascarpone cheese to the whipped egg yolk mixture and gently mix. Do. Not. Overmix!
Step 4
Whip that cream! In a separate bowl, whip cold heavy whipping cream with the vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
Step 5
Time to practice patience. Gently fold in the whipped cream into the egg mascarpone mixture. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Step 6
Combine the espresso and Kahlua, then dip (don’t soak) the ladyfingers in the mixture. If you opt not to use Kahlua, you will need more espresso.
Step 7
Let’s make cake! Arrange the dipped ladyfingers in the bottom of a baking dish, then layer half of the mascarpone mixture on top. Shave some dark chocolate over, then layer the remaining ladyfingers and mascarpone mixture on top.
Step 8
Chill for at least six hours or overnight for the best flavor. Dust with the unsweetened cocoa powder before serving.

The Perfect Pairing

Italian cuisine is celebrated worldwide. Whether you find a fusion of tofu lasagna in China or vegetable spaghetti with tuna in Brazil, Italian food inspires everywhere. But nothing is quite like a traditional Italian meal, Classic Italian Lasagna, or Lemon Risotto with a side of Fresh Tossed Italian Salad. And what better way to end an Italian feast than with some traditional tiramisu? With just the right amount of sweetness and richness, your taste buds won’t be overwhelmed, but boy, will they be excited!

Have Leftovers?

Although this dessert is tasty and tempting to eat in one go, it’s probably a good idea to space it out. Tiramisu is best kept in the fridge for up to one week, but no longer. It can also be frozen for a few months, just ensure that you tightly wrap it with plastic wrap and aluminum foil for the best results.

Caitlyn

Hey there! I’m Caitlyn, the brains behind The Traveler’s Ingredients. I’m an amateur chef, baker, and avid food lover who is also passionate about visiting every corner of the world that I can! I am adamant about recreating dishes that I fell in love with in my travels, mastering comfort meals, and building packing lists to ease pre-trip jitters.