Tiramisu | IronWhisk (2024)

Tirami sùliterally translates from Italian to “pick me up”, a metaphor for “make me happy”. I can definitely understand why. With cocoa, espresso, and a touch of Marsala wine, tiramisu well definitely make you happy. Maybe even a little too happy.

Tiramisu | IronWhisk (1)

I’ve only had tiramisu once or twice before, and I wasn’t particularly fond of its flavour. With a really strong coffee taste and curdled mascarpone cream, tiramisu just didn’t sit right with me. Then I found out it’s not supposed to be that way and everything changed.

Well, not everything. In fact, not most things. My love for tiramisu skyrocketed. That’s about it.

I hate when people say everything changes and only one thing changed.

One of the reasons why I love tiramisu so much is because it’s really simple to make. Pretty much all you have to do is dip cookies in coffee, spread on a custard, and dust with cocoa powder. A lot of recipes, however, don’t give clear instructions on how you’re supposed to dip the cookies, and that’s where most tiramisus fall apart. A lot of them have a really intense and overwhelming coffee flavour that dominates the cake, while others are really soggy. Tiramisu isn’t supposed to be either.

Tiramisu | IronWhisk (2)

The cookies that make up the “cake” layers of a tiramisu are called Savoiardi, or lady fingers. These cookies are incrediblyabsorbentbecause they are made from a sponge cake-like batter. That’s why when you dip them in coffee if you dip them for too long they will make your cake very soggy. Sponge cake absorbs. Like a sponge. Ergo, “sponge” cake. After some testing (which was pretty much me soaking them in coffee and eating them over the sink as coffee dripped from them) I found that dipping them for more than three seconds will make them too soggy. The ones that were in the coffee for more than five seconds were pretty much mush. (You don’t want mush.)

Tiramisu also involves an Italian custard calledzabaione.This custard doesn’t have any cream, but just egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and a flavourful liqueur. Traditionally, Marsala wine or a dark rum is used. I didn’t have any on hand, so I used Bailey’s chocolateliqueur. It worked out perfectly. You just whisk it all together on the stove. You can use a double boiler if you’re afraid it will curdle. If it ends up curdling, just pass the custard through a strainer.

Tiramisu | IronWhisk (3)

After the custard’s done just fold in some whipped egg whites and mascarpone cheese.

Assembling the cake is pretty simple. You take your soaked lady fingers, cover them with some of the custard mixture, dust with cocoa, and then repeat the process once more. The cake comes together pretty quickly, but is really amazing.

Tiramisu | IronWhisk (4)

I highly recommend you try this recipe. It’s perfect for Valentine’s day.

Tiramisu

Tiramisu is an Italian cake made from lady finger cookies, mascarpone cheese, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Oh, and liqueur.

Ingredients

For the custard layer:

  • 4 (85g) egg yolks
  • 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon Marsala wine, dark rum, or coffee/chocolate liqueur
  • 3 (120g) egg whites
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 container (226g) mascarpone cheese (do not substitute!), softened at room temperature

For the lady finger layer:

  • 200g (about 16) lady fingers, divided
  • ~1 cup cooled espresso or strong coffee
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Marsala wine, dark rum, or coffee/chocolate liqueur

For the cocoa:

  • ~1/2 cup cocoa powder

Method

Prepare the custard:

  1. Combine the egg yolks, one tablespoon of the sugar, vanilla extract, and the Marsala wine in a small saucepan and whisk together over low heat until the mixture thickens. Cool to room temperature. Whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar and the remaining sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in the mascarpone cheese and the custard.

Prepare the lady fingers:

  1. Combine the coffee with the sugar and wine. Dip a lady finger in the coffee for maximum 2-3 seconds and then transfer it to a 9'' by 5'' loaf pan (this size gives the best proportion of lady finger to custard). Fill the bottom of the pan with dipped lady fingers (about 8 - this is half of them).

Layer the cake:

  1. Spread half the custard over the lady fingers, making sure they're all covered. Dust with half the cocoa powder so the custard is completely covered. Dip more lady fingers in coffee and arrange them perpendicularly to the first layer. Cover with the remaining custard, dust with cocoa, and let sit in the fridge for at least two hours before eating (this will allow the coffee to soak through and the layers to settle).

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Tiramisu | IronWhisk (2024)

FAQs

What does tiramisu literally mean? ›

The name comes from the Italian tirami su ( lit. 'pick me up' or 'cheer me up').

What is the secret of tiramisu? ›

The secret to a true tiramisu? Mascarpone! Most people use regular cream cheese, but in order to get the real deal, you need to try is with this Italian specialty.

What Italian dessert literally means "pick me up"? ›

Not everyone knows that the Italian word tiramisu actually means 'pick-me-up' or, metaphorically, 'make me happy'.

What if I don't have enough mascarpone for tiramisu? ›

However you could try beating together 225g (8 ounces) full fat cream cheese with 60ml (4 tablespoons/1/4 cup) double or whipping cream and 30g (1 ounce/2 tablespoons) softened unsalted butter until just blended. This will give the equivalent of around 300g (10 ounces/1 1/4 cups) mascarpone.

Why does tiramisu mean "pick me up"? ›

Tiremi su in the local dialect literally translates to “pick me up”. One of the stories of its origin traces back to a crafty “pleasure house” owner whipping this coffee spiked dessert for the gentlemen to reinvigorate them and solve any problems in performing their conjugal duties upon return to their wives.

Is tiramisu a Japanese word? ›

The word Tiramisù literally means “pick me up”. It comes from the Treviso dialect, “Tireme su”, Italianised into Tiramisù in the latter half of the 20th century. Historical records state that Tiramisù originated in Treviso in 1800.

What is the spiritual meaning of tiramisu? ›

In fact, “tiramisu” literally means “pull me up” (cheer me up), and this fabulous recipe made in heaven does indeed pull you up… while it also picks and pushes you up, whenever you feel down.

What are the fingers called in tiramisu? ›

Ladyfingers (also known as “savoiardi” or “sponge fingers”) are simple sponge cookies that are often used to make Tiramisu!

What is the best liquor for tiramisu? ›

Alcohol: I prefer Kahlua, but use any of the following: Marsala wine, rum (dark is best!), brandy, or Amaretto. Make it Alcohol-Free: Omit the Kahlua entirely from the coffee mixture and replacing it with coffee in the mascarpone mixture.

What is the most eaten dessert in Italy? ›

Perhaps the most iconic Italian dessert, tiramisu appears on menus at restaurants not only throughout Italy but also all over the world.

What not to do when making tiramisu? ›

Roberto Lestani, who for the occasion revealed to us the 3 mistakes not to make to prepare a stunning tiramisu!
  1. 1: excessively whipping the mascarpone! ...
  2. 2: once together, don't immediately mix the yolks and sugar! ...
  3. 3: Neglect stratification!
Jun 16, 2020

What is a fact about tiramisu? ›

tiramisù literally translates to “pick me up,” “carry me up,” or “lift me up.” The dessert's name was apparently chosen to allude to the heavenly texture and flavor of the Italian dessert.

Why is my tiramisu so watery? ›

The other main reasons the mixture would be runny is if other liquid ingredients have been added first, or if the mascarpone has been beaten so much that it has curdled (then you will get water separating out from the cheese curds).

Can I use ricotta instead of mascarpone in tiramisu? ›

Soft, fluffy, and with the unmistakable aroma of coffee, it pleases everyone! Today, however, we propose an alternative version: ricotta tiramisu. An equally creamy variant that sees the addition of cow's milk ricotta instead of the more common mascarpone.

Can I use Philadelphia instead of mascarpone? ›

Is Philadelphia cream cheese mascarpone? No marscapone and cream cheese are completely different. There are cases where one may be substituted for the other but as a general rule you should use the ingredient the recipe calls for; otherwise you will end up with a similar but still completely different result.

What was the original name of tiramisu? ›

Treviso places the source of tiramisu, initially called “Tiremesù”, at the end of the 1960s at the restaurant “Le Beccherie”, from an idea by pastry chef Loly Linguanotto to rework a typical Venetian dessert, the Sbatudin, a mixture of egg yolks whipped with sugar.

What is the literal meaning of tiramisu CodyCross? ›

The literal meaning of Tiramisù in Italian is “pick me up” or “cheer me up”.

What is tiramisu in urban dictionary? ›

Tiramisu is a non-food related term used under two different circ*mstances. Firstly, it can be used to express your sincerity in any given situation. Usually used when one wishes to convey a true level of genuineness in their actions, words, behaviours without any ill intention or intent to play with others emotions.

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