This delicious and unbelievably easy Tiramisu recipe is made with coffee soaked lady fingers, sweet and creamy mascarpone (no raw eggs!), and cocoa powder dusted on top. It requires no baking and can be made in advance!

Who doesn’t love an easy no-bake dessert?  That’s one of the best things about this tiramisu recipe.  If you are looking quick no-bake dessert I also love No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars and Butterscotch Cereal Bars.

A slice of homemade tiramisu on a white plate.

This recipe has been a long time coming, and I’m embarrassed to admit how much tiramisu has been made in the trial of this recipe (I literally bought out every package of Savoiardi lady fingers at two different stores!) but I wanted to nail down the right approach.

By “right approach”, I mean how traditional of a tiramisu recipe I wanted to share. (In case you’re not familiar with it, Tiramisu is a popular Italian dessert made with lady fingers (or spongecake), coffee, liqueur, and mascarpone cheese topped with chocolate powder). Should I make the lady fingers from scratch? Does it matter? And more importantly, do I make it with raw eggs?

What makes my recipe different:

My tiramisu does not use raw eggs. It’s the easiest tiramisu recipe to make, and there’s no sacrifice in flavor.

Traditional tiramisu uses raw egg yolks and sugar beaten and then combined with raw whipped egg whites and mascarpone. I’ve tried that method, but thought people would most likely be turned off by the raw eggs.

Then I tried using a double boiler to gently cook the eggs and sugar before adding them to the mascarpone, which is a really common method used in lots of modern recipes (the Pioneer Woman has a great recipe!). I found it tricky to get the thick and creamy mascarpone layer I wanted.

So, I ultimately decided to swap out the egg whites in favor of fresh whipped cream, because I like the flavor and texture more. The result is delicious and EASY! You’re going to love it!A clear glass pan of tiramisu with two slices removed from the center.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • Ladyfingers: I buy them, but you could make them from scratch.
  • Mascarpone: it wouldn’t be true tiramisu without mascarpone, but if you absolutely must, you could substitute cream cheese.
  • Coffee: I use espresso
  • Heavy Whipped cream
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Vanilla extract: or substitute imitation vanilla
  • Cocoa powder: for dusting on top

The ingredients needed for tiramisu including ladyfingers, espresso, mascarpone, cocoa powder, cream, vanilla and sugar.

How to make Tiramisu:

  • Mix creamy filling. Beat the mascarpone, cream, sugar, and vanilla together until stiff peaks.
  • Dip lady fingers. Add the espresso and liqueur (if using) to a shallow bowl and dip the lady fingers on both sides (don’t let them soak–just a quick dip!)
  • Layer mascarpone. Smooth a layer of the mascarpone/whipped cream mixture on top of the lady fingers.
  • Repeat. Add another layer of lady fingers (dipped in coffee and liqueur) and another layer of cheese mixture. Dust with cocoa powder.

Process photos for layering tiramisu including dipping ladyfingers in espresso, layering a dish, adding mascarpone cream, layering again and topping with cocoa powder.

What kind of alcohol is used in tiramisu?

Tiramisu can be made with or without alcohol. This recipe calls for coffee flavored liqueur because I like that it enhances the coffee flavor.

Alcohol free: Leave it out completely.

Alcohol variations: use dark rum, brandy, marsala wine.

Espresso substitutions:  coffee, decaf

MAKE AHEAD AND FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS:

Tiramisu is even better when made in advance, allowing the flavors to blend! It will keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

To freeze, make completely, but don’t dust with cocoa powder. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then tinfoil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and dust with cocoa powder a few hours before serving.

A piece of tiramisu with a bite take out with a fork.

Consider trying these dessert recipe:

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more great recipes!

Recipe

A piece of tiramisu with a bite take out with a fork.
Prep 10 minutes
Total 10 minutes
Save Recipe

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 8 ounce container mascarpone cheese ,room temperature
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups cold espresso
  • 3 Tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur ,optional (Kahlua or DaVinci brands)
  • 1 package Lady Fingers ,Savoiardi brand can be found in the cookie aisle at your local grocery store, or online
  • Cocoa powder for dusting the top

Instructions
 

  • Add whipping cream to a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed with electric mixers (or use a stand mixer). Slowly add sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until stiff peaks. Add mascarpone cheese and fold in until combined. Set aside.
  • Add coffee and liqueur to a shallow bowl. Dip the lady fingers in the coffee (Don't soak them--just quickly dip them on both sides to get them wet) and lay them in a single layer on the bottom of an 8x8'' or similar size pan. 
  • Smooth half of the mascarpone mixture over the top. Add another layer of dipped lady fingers. Smooth remaining mascarpone cream over the top.
  • Dust cocoa powder generously over the top (I use a fine mesh strainer to do this). Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or up to overnight before serving.

Notes

Alcohol: Tiramisu can be made with or without alcohol. This recipe calls for coffee flavored liqueur because I like that it enhances the coffee flavor, but other options are marsala wine or brandy.  
Make Ahead Instructions: Tiramisu is even better when made in advance, allowing the flavors to blend! It will keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Freezing Instructions: Make completely, but don't dust with cocoa powder. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then tinfoil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and dust with cocoa powder a few hours before serving.  

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 5gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 77mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 618IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 1mg

Did You Make This Recipe?

Tag @TastesBetterFromScratch on Instagram with #TastesBetterFromScratch!

Check out my webstoryI originally shared this recipe April 2017. Updated January 2020 with process photos and instructions.

Have you tried this recipe?!

RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.

This post contains affiliate links. I love sharing my favorite products and cooking tools with you guys!

We LOVE this spicy Italian pasta that only takes 20 minutes to make! Penne Arrabbiata in a spicy tomato based sauce with fresh parmesan, basil and parsley.| Tastes Better From Scratch

This post contains affiliate links.

Related Posts

Share Recipe

Categories

About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Loved this recipe. It was a hit! The only change I made was to use chocolate and vanilla ladyfingers. I used Frangelico liqueur, which is my favorite. Not using eggs was such a time saver. Thank you for the recipe.

  2. 2 stars
    I have to say that I was very disappointed with this recipe. I just don’t understand how it could have such high reviews. In terms of ease, I’d give it a 3 out of 5, middle of the road, but the taste is a 2 out of 5. Followed the recipe exactly, sans the alcohol, and I tasted none of the espresso at all. Also, the amounts of ingredients for the cream layers should be increased by 1/4 just to not have to ration and scrounge in order to fully spread enough for each layer. Super disappointed with this.

  3. 5 stars
    I’ve been a tiramisu fan for years and had it in Italy, but never found a good one in US. Until now. My sister made this for my birthday and it hits the jackpot! Thank you!

  4. 5 stars
    I’ve made this several times and it’s delicious, in fact, far more delicious than it’s simplicity might suggest, a real keeper. I don’t use liquor and it’s still a quality dessert. Of course, the whipped marscapone, cream, vanilla and sugar is delicious piped into little serving glasses, topped with berries, for a lighter summer dessert, too!

  5. 1 star
    There is not nearly enough Espresso flavor when you just dip the top and bottom, in fact, I struggled to taste it at all. This recipe IS easy and simple, but it’s not at all like tiramisu. It’s more like whipped cream soaked lady fingers. The heavy whipping cream drowns put the flavor of thr mascarponr cheese, and the consistency is just wrong. The missing eggs are VERY apparent. This is tiramisu for people who don’t like tiramisu.

  6. 5 stars
    Just made this twice – first time had to substitute ricotta (blended it in the food processor first) and some type of cookie because I didn’t have lady fingers…and it was still yummy! Just put the 2nd one in the fridge and tasted leftovers and even right after it’s made it’s SO yummy. Thanks for the easy recipe!! I didn’t want to mess with eggs.
    Oh and I used store-brand lady fingers and ended up using about 5oz (I used 2x 3oz packages but I had extras).

  7. I have made many tiramisus, and yours was the very best non egg recipe.
    I made it for a family birthday pastry – it was 4 layers high and 10 fingers wide. Kept its shape and I was able to candles in it as well.
    Thanks so much

  8. I was just wondering how I could just use instant coffee instead of espresso as I don’t have an espresso. How much instant coffee should I use for each cup of water

  9. Made your recipe and it was the best tiramisu anyone had ever had was the feedback, the biscuits are expensive and next time I’ll make them , they taste
    Iike a dry sponge cake so I reckon it can be done. Thanks for your recipe simply magnificent

  10. 5 stars
    The best ever!!!!! I did everything as instructed. Wow, wow, wow!!!!! Just put a tablespoon of amaretto into coffee mixture!! Will never make it any other way!! Thanks

See More Comments