Description
An elegant, no-bake Italian dessert featuring layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and rich mascarpone cream. This easy 5-ingredient recipe requires no oven and tastes best when made ahead.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (450g) mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream (at least 35% fat)
- 6 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1.5 to 2 cups (360-480ml) brewed espresso, cooled
- 2–3 tablespoons Marsala wine (optional)
- 24–30 ladyfingers (savoiardi)
- Dutch-processed cocoa powder (for dusting)
Instructions
- Brew strong espresso and mix with Marsala wine (if using). Pour into a shallow bowl and let cool completely to room temperature or cold.
- In a large, cold bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside in the fridge.
- In another large bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar on medium-high speed until pale, thick, and ribbon-like (about 5 minutes).
- Reduce mixer speed to low and add mascarpone cheese to the yolk mixture. Beat just until combined and smooth.
- Gently fold the whipped heavy cream into the mascarpone mixture using a spatula until fully incorporated.
- Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the cold coffee mixture (about half a second per side) and arrange in a single layer at the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spread half of the mascarpone cream over the first layer of ladyfingers.
- Repeat the process with a second layer of dipped ladyfingers and the remaining cream, smoothing the top.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight, to set.
- Before serving, dust the top generously with sifted cocoa powder and slice with a sharp knife.
Notes
Do not soak ladyfingers for more than a second or two, or they will become mushy. Keep all ingredients cold to prevent the mascarpone from separating. For a non-alcoholic version, omit the Marsala and use extra espresso. If concerned about raw eggs, pasteurize the yolks and sugar over a double boiler until they reach 160°F.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 45
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
Keywords: tiramisu, mascarpone, no-bake dessert, Italian dessert, coffee dessert, easy dessert, make-ahead dessert