Tiramisu is one of my all time favorite desserts! The fact that it is an easy no bake dessert makes it a double win!!
Of course with kids at home, I cannot in good conscience make desserts that include alcohol. This is why I typically make my tiramisu recipe without alcohol. Anyone can enjoy a non alcoholic Tiramsu without guilt unless of course, you are watching your calorie consumption.
While working on the research to write this post, I stumbled upon a lot of pretty interesting information that I will be sharing with you. However, if you are keen on just the recipe, feel free to jump to the recipe section of the blog.
1. A Little Backstory About Tiramisu
According to an issue of Vin Veneto magazine written by actor and writer, Giuseppe Maffioli in 1981, the first known recipe for Tiramisu, can be attributed to the restaurant “Le Beccherie” located in Treviso.
Interestingly (or maybe not), several people have tried to lay claim to being the owner of the original recipe. I guess this is understandable since Tiramisu has undergone multiple iterations and is now wildly popular. Regardless, this easy no bake dessert became truly famous in San Fransico, United States in the early 1990s, and can now be found in many restaurants and grocery stores around the world.
Interesting fact: March 21st is world Tiramisu day!
What is Tiramisu?
Tiramisu is arguably the most popular Italian dessert. It is an easy no bake dessert, made with espresso-soaked ladyfingers, layered with a whipped mixture of mascarpone, eggs and, sugar. It is then dusted with dark cocoa powder and/or dark chocolate shavings.
Sometimes, a shot of amaretto or marsala (or any other alcohol) is added to the coffee while making the Tiramisu. The alcohol adds another level of flavor to the Tiramisu.
The easy no bake dessert recipe that I will be sharing includes some whipped cream. The whipped cream helps to add some fluffiness and lightness to the Tiramisu.
What Tiramisu Means
Did you know? Tiramisu was originally named “Tireme su” which is from the Treviso dialect. Treviso is a province within the Veneto region of Italy. Over time, “Tireme su” became Italianised, and the name changed from “Tireme su” to Tiramisu.
According to the article, The Trail of Tiramisu by Jane Black, Tiramisu means “pick me up”.
2. How Tiramisu is made
There are so many variations of Tiramisu probably because it is an easy dessert that does not require any baking. I typically make an easy Tiramisu Recipe Without Alcohol. A few days ago I found a recipe for a lemon Tiramisu that I may actually try. I am not quite sure how I feel about it yet, but I will keep an open mind.
Classic Tiramisu
As discussed by Anna Maria from the Open Kitchen, the Original Tiramisu Recipe from Le Beccherie includes only egg yolks, sugar, mascarpone cheese, savoiardi cookies, espresso coffee, and cocoa powder.
The original recipe calls for the use of raw egg yolks… possibly because they were able to obtain the freshest eggs. Due to the risk of Salmonella, I usually pasteurize my eggs before making Tiramisu. Pasteurizing eggs at home is very easy. You can watch my Tiramisu video recipe for how I pasteurize my eggs.
Here are the ingredients and steps for making this really easy no bake dessert (aka Tiramisu).
How To Make Easy Tiramisu Recipe Without Alcohol
Preparing the Components of the Tiramisu
Step 1: Make the espresso and set it aside to cool down
Step 2: Separate the egg yolks from the eggs whites
Step 3: Divide the total amount of sugar in the recipe in two.
Step 4: Whisk half of the sugar with the eggs yolks until it becomes thick and pale
Step 5: Add the mascarpone cheese to the whisked egg yolks, and continue to whisk until smooth
Step 6: In a separate bowl, whisk the cold heavy cream until it is thick and reaches stiff peaks
Step 7: In a third bowl, whisk the egg whites with the remaining sugar until the egg whites reach stiff peaks
Step 8: Fold the whisked heavy cream into the yolk/mascarpone mix until just combined
Step 9: Next, fold the egg white gently into the yolk/mascarpone/heavy cream mix
Assembling the Tiramisu
Step 1: Dip each of the lady finger cookies quickly into the cold espresso and arrange them at the bottom of the dish
Step 2: Spread half of the mascarpone filling over the savoiardi cookies
Step 3: Dip the savoiardi cookies quickly in espresso and create a second layer of cookies
Step 4: Pour the rest of the mascarpone filling over the lady fingers/savoiardi cookies and spread evenly
Step 5: Smoothen the top of the mascarpone with a spatula, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Step 6: After chilling, dust with cocoa powder and chocolate shavings. Then scoop out and enjoy a slice of the alcohol-free tiramisu
Other Variations of Tiramisu
- Tiramisu without eggs – The great thing about Tiramisu is that it is a quick and easy dessert that does not need to be baked. However, adding raw eggs to a meal that will not be baked creates concerns for some people – because of the risk of Salmonella. There are a few ways to mitigate this risk. You could ensure that you only use pasteurized eggs, or alternately you could make the mascarpone mix over a bain-marie. You could also eliminate the risk altogether by skipping the eggs and including whipped cream.
- Tiramisu without alcohol – If you are like me, and have kids at home, then you may need to make this easy no bake dessert without alcohol. All you really have to do is skip the alcohol called for in the recipe. By the way, my recipe does not need any alcohol so it is perfect!
- Tiramisu without coffee – Making Tiramisu without coffee seems a little strange since one of the key flavors in Tiramisu is coffee. You may be able to substitute the coffee with chickory root coffee if you are trying to avoid caffeine. The alternative would be to use cold “hot chocolate” instead if you are trying to avoid the coffee flavor altogether.
- Tiramisu without Mascarpone – Traditionally, Tiramisu is an italian dessert with mascarpone cheese. However, mascarpone cheese can sometimes be a little pricey, and difficult to come by. An acceptable, though not exact alternative would be cream cheese or cream cheese mixed with whipped cream. Tiramisu made with cream cheese and whipped cream still tastes amazing, but does not taste exactly like Tiramisu – the Italian dessert with mascarpone cheese. 🙂
3. Where to Buy Tiramisu
As you probably know, Tiramisu is an easy no bake dessert that can be made at home. The only downside is that you will need 6-8 hrs for the Tiramisu to set before you can enjoy it. If you are craving or need some Tiramisu in a pinch, you can most likely buy it at a grocery store nearby. Also, a lot of restaurants now have Tiramisu on their menu.
The fastest way to find a place closest to you that sells Tiramisu is by searching on Google.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tiramisu a Cake?
In my opinion, traditional tiramisu – which is an Italian dessert with mascarpone chees layered with savoiardi cookies – is not a cake. However, you could create the layers of this easy no bake dessert with cake layers, instead of the savoiardi cookies.
Tiramisu vs Tres Leches
Tiramisu and Tres Leches are two different, but deliciously decadent desserts. Tiramisu is an easy no bake dessert, made with espresso-soaked ladyfingers, layered with a whipped mixture of mascarpone, eggs and, sugar. Tres Leches (aka “three milks” cake), is a dense cake that is perforated and soaked in a mix of 3 types of milk after baking. It is then topped with whipped cream.
Tiramisu and Pregnancy
Please confirm with your family doctor if you can have Tiramisu while pregnant. Tiramisu is an Italian dessert with mascarpone cheese zabaglione – which includes raw eggs. As such I would not recommend Tiramisu during pregnancy… but again check with your family physician.
Will Tiramisu Melt?
You can store tiramisu in the fridge for up to 3 days, and at room temperature for approximately 2hrs. Tiramisu should still have its pudding-like consistency at room temperature
Can Tiramisu be Frozen?
Tiramisu is an easy no bake dessert that can be frozen. To freeze Tiramisu successfully, ensure you wrap it completely several times with plastic wrap and aluminium foil prior to freezing. I typically slice the tiramisu into individual portions and freeze without covering for an hour. I then wrap each individual frozen slice of tiramisu several times with plastic wrap/foil before storing it in the freezer. Tiramisu will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can defrost by leaving it in the fridge to thaw overnight.
Can Tiramisu Make You Drunk?
You most likely cannot get drunk from eating Tiramisu.
Will you be making this classic Tiramisu recipe? Let me know how it turns for you! I love this easy no bake dessert, and I am sure you will too.
Easy Tiramisu Recipe without Alcohol
Equipment
- 9×12 Serving dish
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 4 Tbsp granulated sugar divided in two parts
- 3/4 cup whipping cream
- 475 g mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup cold espresso / coffee
- 1-2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1-2 Tbsp chocolate shavings optional
Instructions
Making the Mascarpone filling
- Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks, and place in two different bowls
- Add 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar into the egg yolks and whisk until it is thick in consistenct and pale in color
- Fold the mascarpone cheese into the egg yolk mix. Then whisk until the egg yolks and mascarpone are well incorporated. Place in the fridge
- In a separate bowl, whip the whipping cream until you get stiff peaks. Make sure the whipping cream is cold
- Next, whisk your egg whites while pouring the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar slowly into the egg white. Whisk continuously until you get stiff peaks
- Bring the mascarpone out of the fridge, and fold it into the egg yolk mixture gently.
- Next, fold the egg whites into the mascarpone/egg yolk mix. I typically fold in half of the egg whites first, before folding in the second half.
- Be careful not to mix out all the air your whisked into the mascarpone and eggs
Putting it all together (i.e making the tiramisu)
- Dip each savoiardi cookie quickly into the strong cold espresso, and arrange them at the bottom of the dish – covering up as much space as possible. Ensure that the cookies are not dipped into the coffee for too long, or else it will become a soggy mess
- Once you have the cookies are covering every part of the bottom of the dish, its time to add the marscarpone mix.
- Pour half of the mascarpone mix, over the cookies and spread evenly over the cookies.
- Repeat the process with the cookies again. Soak each cookie quickly in the cold espresso and arrange it over the mascarpone
- Once you are done with the cookies, spread the last half of the mascarpone mix over the cookies.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let the tiramisu rest in the fridge for 8hrs/overnight
- After 8hrs, bring the tiramisu out and dust it liberally with drak cocoa powder and dartkchocolate shavings – then enjoy!
