Ingredients
Core Components:
- Mascarpone Cheese:Â This rich, Italian cream cheese provides the base of the creamy filling.
- Heavy Whipping Cream:Â Adds volume and airiness when whipped into the filling.
- Lemon Curd:Â The star of the show! Use store-bought for convenience or make your own for extra freshness.
- Granulated Sugar:Â Balances the tartness and adds sweetness.
- Ladyfingers:Â These delicate sponge cookies are the classic base for tiramisu.
- Lemon Juice:Â Provides a fresh, zesty tang.
- Lemon Zest:Â Enhances the lemon flavor with aromatic citrus notes.
Optional Additions:
- Limoncello:Â An Italian lemon liqueur that adds an extra burst of lemon and a hint of sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract:Â A touch of vanilla rounds out the flavors beautifully.
- Other Fruit Curds:Â Experiment with flavors like lime, orange, or passionfruit for unique twists.
Instructions
1. Make the Lemon Syrup:
- Combine lemon juice and sugar in a shallow dish. Whisk until the sugar dissolves completely.
2. Prepare the Mascarpone Filling:
- In a large bowl, beat mascarpone cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add lemon curd, beating until well combined and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until evenly incorporated.
3. Assemble the Tiramisu:
- Dip a ladyfinger into the lemon syrup for a few seconds, turning to coat both sides. Don’t oversaturate, as the cookies will become soggy.
- Place dipped ladyfingers in a single layer at the bottom of your serving dish.
- Spread half of the mascarpone filling evenly over the soaked ladyfingers.
- Repeat the dipping and layering process with another layer of ladyfingers and the remaining mascarpone filling.
4. Chill and Set:
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the ladyfingers to soften.
Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients:Â The best mascarpone cheese and lemon curd will make a significant difference in the flavor.
- Customize with ease:Â Try different citrus fruits, add liqueurs for a boozy twist, or include layers of fresh fruit.
- Dietary Considerations:Â This recipe, as written, is not suitable for vegan or gluten-free diets. However, you can explore gluten-free ladyfinger options and vegan alternatives to mascarpone cheese for adaptations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
