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How to Make the Most Authentic and Best Italian Tiramisu [Recipe]

What’s the best tiramisu recipe? We went searching for the most authentic Italian tiramisu and found it!


I had my first Tiramisu dessert in Germany in the mid 1980s and I have been on a mission to find the best tiramisu recipe ever since. Naturally, this creamy, fluffy dessert is a staple in practically every Italian restaurant in the world.

We’re always on the look-out for “traditional” foods while we are traveling, and we’ve found a few to share, like our Turkish Borek, German Schnitzel, Austrian Kaiserschmarrn, and even some Mongolian Khuushuur. However, none were are controversial as this Italian dessert. It is surprising how many different methods there are to prepare it. So what is the “traditional” tiramisu recipe? Where did we find our favorite tiramisu?

My homemade, authentic tiramisu served on a plate.

Just What is a Traditional Tiramisu?

It’s hard, really, to use the term “traditional” when talking about tiramisu. It hasn’t been around that long; most experts figure the first tiramisu showed up on a menu in Italy in the 1960s and has exploded in popularity since then.

How should it be made? Do you use eggs, no eggs, just the yolk, incorporate the beaten egg whites? Should the mixture be cooked over a double broiler? Alcohol or no alcohol? If so, which do you use? All of these questions over such a seemingly simple dessert; it boggles the mind.

You can listen to our Streets and Eats podcast where we talk to two energetic women who were invited to judge the International Tiramisu Competition!

I had tried a few variations by the time we visited Sicily but hadn’t settled on my favorite tiramisu recipe. So when we wandered past the Ristorante Tiramisu in Taormina, Italy on the island of Sicily, I knew where my lunch stop would be. Of course, first we had to spend a few hours climbing around the ruins of an ancient Greek (yes Greek, not Roman) amphitheater.

A view of the city seen through the ruins of the ancient Roman Amphitheater of Taormina.

The Ancient Amphitheater of Taormina

Well, it’s impossible to have something that old that wasn’t also used by the Romans, so naturally this is the case with the amphitheater. The outer wall, constructed of brick, and most of the stage side wings were reconstructed at some point in the past 2000 years. But archaeological evidence points to a previous Greek theater on the site.

Today, the theater has been gently renovated and reconstructed to maintain as much antiquity as possible while still allowing the site to be used for concerts and other performances. Walking through the threshold, I could immediately see why this site has been so popular for such a long time. The views of the Mediterranean Sea far down below at the bottom of the cliff and Mount Etna quietly puffing away in the distance are both utterly remarkable.

Tiramisu – A Restaurant And A Recipe

There are plenty of things to do and places to visit in Sicily, and after climbing up and down the seats of the amphitheater and exploring the tunnels and passageways, it was time for some good eats. We were excited to try a restaurant we passed on the way, aptly called Ristorante Tiramisu. The call of homemade tiramisu was a strong one, and we were hoping to indulge. We weren’t disappointed.

Mt. Etna seen from Taormina.

How We Found An Authentic Tiramisu Recipe 

We were given a choice of sitting inside the restaurant or in an inner courtyard garden. And, despite some earlier rain showers, the green and flowery garden was much more pleasant looking. I noticed a small counter all set up for food preparation in one corner and kept wondering what was gong to happen, and when.

Who doesn’t like a live cooking show? Eventually I couldn’t take it any longer, so I asked the waiter, “What are we cooking?”

He laughed, “We aren’t cooking anything. My mama is making tiramisu, no cooking needed!” Shortly after that, out she came with one  bowl of eggs and another bowl overflowing with mascarpone. She went right to work cracking the eggs and separating them into different bowls, then whipping like a mad woman.

How to make our “Traditional Tiramisu”

It was fascinating to see how quickly the egg whites fluffed up; and, before we knew it, she was dipping and layering tray after tray of the delectable tiramisu cake. She left us in a cloud of cocoa dust, wheeling a cart stacked with enough trays of tiramisu to feed an army.

I asked our waiter if that was the weekly preparation. “What? No! Tiramisu must be eaten fresh. That is for the dinner tonight.” The tiramisu was perfect. I collected my notes and vowed to give it a try as soon as we returned home.

I’ve been making it the same way ever since with only a few modifications. First of all, the idea of whipping egg whites by hand is not for me. I have a Kitchenaid for that.

Second of all, I’ve tried a few different liqueurs and have settled on Amaretto as my favorite flavor enhancer. But I’ve stuck with the uncooked version just as Mama Leone in Taormina made it, all those years ago.

Authentic Italian Tiramisu Recipe

Finding (and Making) Authentic Italian Tiramisu
Yield: 8 Servings

Finding (and Making) Authentic Italian Tiramisu

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

We found the recipe for our authentic Italian Tiramisu while eating lunch in a fantastic little ristorante in Taormina, Italy. The owner's nona was whipping up a batch for the evening meal right there in the garden. The only thing we've changed is using Amaretto instead of Marsala wine.

We chose top follow the original recipe we found there in Sicily. This is made using uncooked egg yokes and whites. Check the notes for tips on how to make Tiramisu with cooked yolks and whipping cream as a substitute for the egg whites.

Unfortunately, those changes won't be as a light and fluffy (and authentic) as the original tiramisu. But if the idea of uncooked egg bothers you then definitely switch it out.

Feel free to leave out the amaretto and use decaf espresso if serving to children.

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs, separated
  • 4 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 16 oz mascarpone
  • 20-30 Savoiardi (Lady Fingers)
  • 1 cup espresso, cooled
  • 4 tbsp Amaretto, divided
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Separate the eggs, placing yolks in one large mixing bowl and the whites in another large bowl.
  2. Beat the egg yolks with 4 tbsp sugar on medium speed until light yellow and creamy and doubled in volume, about 8 minutes.
  3. Add the mascarpone and 2 tbsp of amaretto and continue beating on low until combined and smooth. Store in refrigerator during next step.
  4. Beat the egg whites on medium to high until medium-stiff peaks form.
  5. Fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture. Fold gently until fully incorporated, making sure to keep the mixture light and fluffy.
  6. Combine the espresso and remaining 2 tbsp amaretto in a bowl large enough to dip the lady finger cookies.
  7. Make the first layer of savoiardi (lady fingers) in the bottom of a 14 x 9 glass dish (6 cup, rectangular pyrex works perfectly for this) by carefully dipping the lady finger cookies one at a time into the coffee mixture for about 5 seconds each. Hold the cookie flat and dip into the liquid so that only half of the cookie is submerged. If the savoiardi has a sugar coated side, dip that side into the coffee. Continue adding the lady fingers until the bottom of the pan is covered.
  8. Carefully spoon half the egg-mascarpone filling on top of the bottom layer of soaked cookies and smooth it out evenly across the pan.
  9. Add the second layer of lightly soaked savoiardi cookies using the same method as above.
  10. Spoon in the remaining filling and smooth it out evenly across the second layer of cookies.
  11. Dust evenly across the top layer with cocoa powder.
  12. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  13. Dust lightly with more cocoa powder before serving.

Notes

  • If you prefer to use cooked egg in your tiramisu, perform step 2 over a double boiler with simmering water below. Substitute 1 cup heavy cream for the egg whites and beat the cream to stiff peaks.
  • To make alcohol free tiramisu, just omit the amaretto.
  • Play around with the flavor by substituting the amaretto with other flavored liqueurs, plum brandy, or spiced rum.
  • You can substitute grated semi-sweet chocolate for the cocoa powder.

Pin our Best Tiramisu Recipe for later!

Do you love true and authentic Italian food? Oh, and the desserts! Click here to learn how we found and executed the perfect Tiramisu recipe all the way from Taormina, Italy.

Author Bio: Jim Vail, is a travel, food, and video creator and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 15 years. For many years he lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands, and he’s visited over 90 countries.

Lisa

Friday 9th of June 2017

I've tasted Jim's tiramisu and it's the BEST! Definitely give his recipe a go!

Jim Vail

Friday 9th of June 2017

Awww, thanks Lisa!

Ayngelina (@Ayngelina)

Tuesday 6th of June 2017

I don't know if this was intentional but I loved how you shared a photo of the tiramisu with some of it removed and then the Ampitheatre ruin - it was a great visual connection between the two

Corinne Vail

Wednesday 7th of June 2017

Aynegelina, No, not intentional. LOL. Thanks.

Kavey Favelle

Monday 5th of June 2017

This is the best way to enjoy the food of a place, to learn the secrets of making a dish while you are there. We had a favourite local Italian restaurant near our home for many years, and their tiramisu was hands down my favourite. We became such regulars that they taught us their recipe, which is our favourite one. Not too dissimilar to yours, actually. :-D

Corinne Vail

Monday 5th of June 2017

Kavey, I love it when a restaurant is willing to do that. Many times they like to protect their recipes. We felt very lucky indeed.

Kathy Marris

Sunday 4th of June 2017

Now this is a big coincidence. I was recently in gorgeous Taormina in Sicily during our Mediterranean Cruise. I have been writing a blog all about it this afternoon! I didn't see the Ristorante Tiramasu, but I has particularly nice canoli here. :)

Corinne Vail

Sunday 4th of June 2017

Kathy, It was a fantastic restaurant. Everything was great there. Getting to watch them make the tiramisu was extra special!

Rhonda Albom (@RhondaAlbom)

Saturday 3rd of June 2017

This is a recipe I can sink my teeth into. As a coffee loving family, tiramisu is just another way to enjoy the essential brown fluid. I've adjusted my weekly shopping list to give it a go. The fact that you discovered the basics of this recipe in Sicily is no surprise to me

Sarah Whitaker

Sunday 23rd of April 2023

@Jim Vail,

What are the dimensions on your glass pan used in the video and where did you get it?

Jim Vail

Sunday 4th of June 2017

Let me know how it comes out!

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