Easy Tiramisu Recipe Without Mascarpone | Simple Creamy Italian Dessert
This easy tiramisu skips mascarpone by using a silky egg custard folded with whipped cream for a light, creamy filling. It delivers classic coffee flavor, cocoa finish, and is perfect for make-ahead desserts.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1/4 cup (60 g) full-fat cream cheese or 1/4 cup (60 g) Greek yogurt (optional)
- Pinch of fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) strong coffee or espresso, cooled
- 2–3 tablespoons coffee liqueur or dark rum (optional)
- 7–8 ounces (200–225 g) ladyfingers (savoiardi)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
- Dark chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions
Instructions
- Brew strong coffee or espresso, let it cool to room temperature, and stir in the liqueur or rum if using.
- Whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan until smooth and pale, then slowly whisk in the milk.
- Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the custard gently bubbles and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5–7 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Press the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl, cover the surface with plastic wrap, cool to room temperature, and chill until cold.
- Beat the cold heavy cream to medium-stiff peaks; if using cream cheese, beat it smooth and fold it into the whipped cream.
- Gently whisk the chilled custard until smooth, then fold in the whipped cream in two additions to keep the filling airy.
- Quickly dip each ladyfinger in the cooled coffee mixture for about 1 second per side and arrange a snug layer in an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) dish.
- Spread half of the cream filling over the ladyfingers, repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers, and top with the remaining cream.
- Dust generously with unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Cover and chill for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, then dust with fresh cocoa before serving and add chocolate shavings if desired.
Notes
Chill overnight for the cleanest slices and best flavor. Avoid over-soaking ladyfingers to prevent soggy layers. Ensure the custard is fully cooled and the cream is properly whipped to avoid a runny filling. Alcohol is optional; for alcohol-free, skip liqueur and add 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract to the coffee. Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month, thawing overnight in the fridge.