Easy Mary Berry’s Italian Tiramisu Recipe
Do you come alive when that first bite of tiramisu hits your tastebuds? There’s no denying the classic combination of coffee, brandy and creamy mascarpone cheese is the perfect way to end a meal. But why settle for a store-bought treat when you can make something truly decadent at home? With just a few simple ingredients and some creative techniques, you can craft your own homemade version of this beloved Italian dessert — and show off your baking skills to all who dare sample it. Swirls of sweet cocoa powder over smooth layers of velvety cream await…ready to take an adventure through one of Italy’s best-loved dishes? Let’s get started!
What is tiramisu?
Tiramisu is an Italian dessert that consists of layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, a rich mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cocoa powder. It is believed to have originated in the city of Treviso in the Veneto region of Italy.
What type of alcohol is in tiramisu?
Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert with a memorable flavour. Even if you haven’t tasted tiramisu yet, you may have heard people talking about it. Its iconic flavour comes from several ingredients that pack a powerful blend of sweetness and complexity. One of those ingredients? Alcohol. The traditional tiramisu uses Marsala wine, an Italian fortified wine made from dried grapes, sherry, brandy or rum to give it its special flavour.
What are the ingredients?
The traditional ingredients for tiramisu are trifle sponges (ladyfingers), instant coffee or espresso, mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, dark chocolate and cocoa powder. However, there are many variations of the recipe; some people use different ingredients, such as marsala wine or rum.
Trifle sponges are really easy to make if you haven’t had the chance to buy any. I also suggest using organic free-range eggs as this is a no-bake dessert.
How do you make it?
Layering the tiramisu
There are four layers altogether. Line the bottom of a large glass serving bowl or medium size serving dish with half of the sponge pieces. Drizzle half of the coffee and brandy mixture over the sponges. Add a layer of the mascarpone mixture and repeat again. Top with some grated chocolate and a dusting of cocoa powder
What are some variations of tiramisu?
There are many variations of tiramisu, including ones that use different types of alcohol or substitute the espresso with chocolate or caramel sauce. You can also find variations that use different types of cheese in the mascarpone cream, such as ricotta or cream cheese.
Make this gluten-free with wheat-free trifle sponges. This is what I used in this recipe, and they work just as well as original trifle sponges,
How do you serve tiramisu?
Tiramisu is typically served cold or at room temperature. It can be served in individual dishes or one large dish meant to be shared.
How long does tiramisu last?
Store in the fridge covered; it will last up to 4 days.
Tiramisu
Equipment
Ingredients Â
- 1 tsp Instant Coffee Granules (heaped)
- 125 ml Boiling Water
- 6 tbsp Brandy (or Marsala Wine or Rum)
- 2 Eggs (Organic Free Range)
- 65 g Caster Sugar
- 250 g Full-fat Mascarpone Cheese
- 300 ml Double Cream (Heavy cream – whipped until thick)
- 1 packet Trifle Sponges
- 60 g Dark Chocolate (coarsely grated)
- 30 g White Chocolate (coarsely grated to decorate)
- 30 g Cocoa Powder
InstructionsÂ
- Dissolve the coffee in the measured boiling water and mix it with the brandy.
- Combine the eggs and caster sugar in a large bowl and whisk together until thick and leaves a trail on the surface.
- Put the mascarpone cheese in a bowl and stir in a little of the egg mixture. Fold in the rest, then fold in the whipped cream.
- Layer the tiramisu with half the trifle sponges, half the coffee and brandy mixture, half the mascapone mixture, and half the plain chocolate.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, decorating the top with the remaining grated white and dark chocolate and a dusting of cocoa powder. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
