Easy Creamy Italian Tiramisu for Two
A quick and simple tiramisu recipe perfect for two, combining bold espresso flavor with creamy mascarpone and a dusting of cocoa. Ideal for date nights or small celebrations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (8 oz) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup (4 fl oz) heavy cream, cold
- ¼ cup (1.75 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (6 fl oz) strong brewed espresso or coffee, cooled
- Optional: 1 tbsp coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)
- 10 to 12 ladyfingers (Savoiardi)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
Instructions
- Brew and cool ¾ cup (6 fl oz) of strong espresso or coffee. Pour into a shallow dish and let cool completely (about 10 minutes). Optional: stir in 1 tbsp coffee liqueur.
- In a chilled large bowl, whip ½ cup (4 fl oz) cold heavy cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form (about 2-3 minutes).
- In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup (8 oz) mascarpone cheese, ¼ cup (1.75 oz) granulated sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Stir gently until smooth and creamy.
- Fold one-third of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture to lighten it, then fold in the remaining whipped cream until fully combined and fluffy.
- Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the cooled coffee for 1-2 seconds on each side. Lay them in a single layer at the bottom of your dish or ramekins.
- Spoon half of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the coffee-soaked ladyfingers and smooth gently.
- Add another layer of dipped ladyfingers on top of the cream, then finish with the remaining mascarpone mixture. Smooth the top.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally 4 hours or overnight.
- Just before serving, sift unsweetened cocoa powder evenly over the top. Optionally, add chocolate shavings or fresh berries.
Notes
Whip cream to soft peaks to avoid grainy texture. Do not oversoak ladyfingers to prevent sogginess. Use room temperature mascarpone for smooth mixing. Chill at least 2 hours for best texture and flavor. Can substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for dairy-free version and use gluten-free ladyfingers if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (half of t
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 17
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
Keywords: tiramisu, Italian dessert, easy tiramisu, creamy tiramisu, espresso dessert, mascarpone, ladyfingers, quick dessert, dessert for two