Easy Tiramisu Recipe (Without Raw Eggs!)

This easy tiramisu recipe is made from scratch with simple ingredients, no raw eggs, and has all the classic flavors with less fuss. It looks impressive, but it is truly a beginner-friendly dessert!

A tiramisu slice sits on a white plate surrounded by coffee beans and chocolate chunks. A white cup of coffee, ladyfinger cookies, and blurred flowers are in the background.

This Easy tiramisu recipe is a popular Italian dessert that is just as easy to make as any of my icebox cake recipes.

It’s made with layers of whipped cream, creamy mascarpone filling, and espresso-soaked lady finger cookies topped with a dusting of cocoa powder. It needs time to chill and set to allow all the flavors to marry, which makes it a great make-ahead dessert. Serve it around the holidays, for date night, or to finish off any Italian-inspired meal.

A rectangular dish of tiramisu with 2 pieces removed, revealing creamy layers of mascarpone and soaked ladyfingers beneath a thick layer of cocoa powder.

You shouldn’t have to wait to eat at a fancy Italian restaurant to enjoy a slice of classic tiramisu. However, if you’re waiting for an upcoming trip to Italy, well, then I don’t blame you! But for the rest of us, we can all enjoy homemade tiramisu with this simple tiramisu dessert recipe.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Rich, creamy, and so flavorful.
No bake dessert which frees up oven space.
Made with simple ingredients and no raw eggs.
The alcohol is optional.
Tastes even better the next day.

Ingredient Notes

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Labeled ingredients for tiramisu arranged on a white surface. Items include granulated sugar, espresso, mascarpone, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, lady fingers, heavy cream, and coffee liquor. Scattered coffee beans are visible around the items.

Heavy cream – Also called heavy whipping cream. Must be cold for whipping. Do not substitute with half and half or milk.
Granulated sugar – To sweeten the filling. You could also use powdered sugar. Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to taste.
Vanilla extract – For flavor. The vanilla in the cream pairs well with the coffee flavor and chocolate cocoa powder.
Mascarpone cheese – Bring it out to room temperature so it’s soft for easy mixing.
Espresso or coffee – Strong, chilled, and unsweetened.
Coffee flavored liqueur – I use Kahala but you can also use another coffee liquor or even dark rum, marsala wine, or brandy if you prefer. The alcohol in this recipe is completely optional and you can leave it out if you prefer.
Lady fingers – My go-to brands are DeLallo or Bellino Savoiardi ladyfingers, available at my local grocery store. They’re crispy, not soft, which holds up nicely once they’re dipped in the coffee, so they won’t end up overfly soggy.
Unsweetened cocoa powder – For dusting on top.

Supplies You’ll Need

8-inch square baking dish – For layering the tiramisu.
Hand mixer or stand mixer – For whipping the cream until soft peaks form.
Shallow dish – For dipping the ladyfingers in espresso.
Rubber spatula – For gently folding in the mascarpone and spreading layers smoothly.
Fine mesh strainer or sifter – To dust cocoa powder over the top.

How to Make Tiramisu Recipe without Eggs

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Four-step collage showing tiramisu preparation: mixing mascarpone filling, dipping ladyfingers in coffee, spreading the filling over the biscuits, and sifting cocoa powder on top.

Step 1: Whip the cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold in the mascarpone gently with a spatula.

Step 2: Pour the espresso and liqueur (if using) into a shallow dish. Dip the ladyfingers in the coffee mixture, flipping over to wet both sides. Dip the ladyfingers quickly in espresso and place in a single layer in the bottom of an 8×8 pan.

Pro Tip:

It’s a quick dip and roll. If you soak them, they will end up soggy, and won’t hold together as well.

Step 3: Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers.

Step 4: Repeat the layers once more, and finish it with a generous dusting of cocoa powder. Chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight. Keep it chilled until you’re ready to slice and serve.

A fork is pressed into the top of a cocoa-dusted tiramisu dessert, revealing layers of cream and soaked ladyfingers. Coffee beans and chocolate chunks are scattered on the marble plate below.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer: You can freeze tiramisu for up to 2 months. Wrap the dish in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Dust with extra cocoa powder before serving to refresh.

Recipe Tips

Keep the heavy cream chilled until you’re ready to use it. You can also chill the bowl and beaters to help speed up the whipping process.
Only whip to soft peaks for the best texture. Stiff peaks will result in too dense a layer of the mascarpone cream.
Don’t soak ladyfingers; a quick dip is enough.
Use strong coffee for the best flavor.
Chill at least 3 hours, but overnight is even better.

A tightly cropped photo of a tiramisu slice showing creamy mascarpone layers between soaked ladyfingers, topped with a thick dusting of cocoa powder. Coffee beans and chocolate pieces are visible on the surface below.

Tiramisu Recipe FAQ

Does tiramisu have raw egg?

A classic tiramisu recipe usually contains raw egg yolks, but this recipe skips them for an easier version that still tastes delicious.

Does tiramisu have alcohol in it?

Tiramisu often includes a splash of alcohol like coffee liqueur or rum for added flavor, but it’s completely optional and can be left out.

More No Bake Dessert Recipes

Recipe

A tiramisu slice sits on a white plate surrounded by coffee beans, chocolate chunks, and ladyfingers.

Recipe

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Tiramisu

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 20

Chill Time 3

Total: 3 20

This easy tiramisu is made without raw eggs and no baking required. With creamy mascarpone layers and coffee-soaked ladyfingers, it’s a crowd-pleasing classic made simple.

Ingredients

▢ 1 ¾ cups heavy cream
▢ ⅓ cup granulated sugar
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 8 oz mascarpone room temperature
▢ 1 ½ cups espresso or coffee, chilled
▢ 3 Tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur or dark rum, optional
▢ 1 package lady fingers I use Savoiardi
▢ 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions

Add cream to mixing bowl and beat on medium-high speed, slowly adding sugar and vanilla, until soft peaks form.
1 ¾ cups heavy cream, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add mascarpone cheese and gently fold in with rubber spatula until combined. Set aside.
8 oz mascarpone
Add espresso and liqueur to a shallow dish, and dip the lady fingers in the coffee mixture, turning them quickly to wet both sides. Don’t over-soak them. Layer lady fingers in a single layer on the bottom of an 8×8 inch pan.
1 ½ cups espresso, 3 Tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur, 1 package lady fingers
Add half of the mascarpone mixture over the lady finger layer, and smooth with a spatula.
Add another layer of coffee-dipped lady fingers, then add remaining mascarpone mixture and smooth.
Dust cocoa powder generously over the top of the mascarpone mixture layer with a fine mesh strainer or sifter.
2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Cover and place in fridge to chill for at least 3 hours, or overnight before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use cold heavy cream for best whipping results. You can chill the mixing bowl and beaters to help.
I have used both DeLallo and Bellino brand Savoiardi ladyfingers – both work well for this recipe.
Only dip the ladyfingers briefly—don’t soak, or they’ll get soggy.
Chill the tiramisu for at least 3 hours (overnight is even better).
Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To freeze, wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and dust with a fresh cocoa powder coating before serving.