Easy 10-Minute Tiramisu

Name: Easy 10-Minute Tiramisu
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 360 g (1 1/2 cups) heavy cream; 60 g (1/2 cup) powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 226 g (8 oz) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature; 300 g (1 1/4 cup) espresso or strong coffee, at room temperature; 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur, optional; 200 g (1 package) ladyfingers; Cocoa powder, for dusting

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Easy Tiramisu has layers of espresso-dipped ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone filling made without eggs, and a dusting of cocoa powder. It only takes 10 minutes to make (no baking required) and is best made in advance.

Close up of a slice of easy tiramisu in a plate with a cup of coffee.

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As a mom of 3, I love simplifying desserts to satisfy our busy schedules without skimping on flavor. And this Easy Tiramisu is precisely that! It has all the traditional tiramisu irresistible flavors without the fuss or worry of using raw eggs, and it comes together in just 10 minutes.

Whether it’s this easy tiramisu, coffee cupcakes, or vanilla bean buttercream, espresso transforms desserts into a coffee lover's dream. Let’s get started!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Made with 7 ingredients. There are no complicated ingredients here. This tiramisu uses basic ingredients plus mascarpone cheese and ladyfingers, which you can easily find at the grocery store.
Quick and easy. You only need 10 minutes to make this no-bake dessert that transforms two components into four layers. You can even prep it ahead of time for up to 2 days!
Traditional Italian flavor. Typically, tiramisu calls for raw egg, but this recipe omits it without sacrificing flavor. Instead, heavy cream and mascarpone whip up into a creamy consistency (it also saves you time!).

Ingredients You'll Need

Heavy cream. The key ingredient to creating a light and airy filling. Use cold heavy cream and do not substitute it with a lower-fat cream otherwise, it will not transform into whipped cream.
Powdered sugar. Adds sweetness to the mascarpone filling. Its fine texture creates a smooth and creamy consistency.
Vanilla. Pure vanilla extract is worth the splurge for the best flavor.
Mascarpone cheese. A traditional Italian ingredient in tiramisu. Bring to room temperature to mix into a smooth and creamy consistency.
Espresso. Use room temperature espresso. You can mix instant espresso powder with water.
Coffee liqueur. Adds extra richer flavor, but feel free to leave it out.
Ladyfingers. Select the dry, crunchy ladyfingers available in most grocery stores (typically in the international section). If you can only find the soft, cakey ladyfingers, reduce the espresso to ¼ cup and use a pastry brush to brush on the liquid instead of dipping them.
Cocoa powder. A heavy dusting of cocoa powder adds the finishing touch. Dutch process cocoa powder has a more mellow, less bitter flavor than natural cocoa powder, but you can use whichever you prefer (or have stocked in your pantry!).

Easy Ingredient Swaps

Rum or brandy. If you decide to use liqueur in your filling, you can substitute the coffee liqueur with dark rum, brandy, or Grand Marnier, if you prefer.
Coffee. Feel free to use strong black coffee (regular or decaf) for dipping the ladyfingers. You can brew fresh coffee or use instant coffee. Use whatever coffee you love to drink!
Cream cheese. Traditional tiramisu calls for mascarpone cheese, but you can substitute it with block-style full-fat cream cheese in a pinch.

Helpful Tools for Making Tiramisu

Digital kitchen scale or measuring cups. Using a scale will give you exact measurements for consistent results.
Measuring spoons.
8x8-inch baking dish. You can also use a 9x9-inch baking dish.
Mixer. A handheld or stand mixer will work. Use the whisk attachment.
Large bowl. If using a stand mixer, you’ll need the accompanying bowl.
Shallow bowl. Used for dipping the ladyfingers.
Small offset spatula. Makes it easy to spread the filling into an even layer.
Small mesh strainer. Used for dusting cocoa powder over the top of the tiramisu.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Whisked heavy cream and sugar in a glass mixing bowl until frothy.

Whisk cream and sugar. Use a mixer to whisk until frothy.

Whisked cream and sugar to medium peaks in a glass mixing bowl.

Beat mixture. Beat until medium peaks form.

Heavy cream, sugar, and mascarpone cheese whisked to stiff peaks in a glass bowl.

Add mascarpone cheese. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.

Ladyfingers dipped in espresso and arranges in a single layer of a white ceramic baking dish.

Dip ladyfingers. Combine the espresso and liqueur (if using) in a bowl. Quickly dip one ladyfinger at a time on each side and arrange them in an even layer along the bottom of the baking dish.

Ladyfingers dipped in espresso and arranges in a single layer of a white ceramic baking dish topped with cream filling and second layer oof ladyfingers.

Spread filling. Use a knife or offset spatula to spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers evenly. Top with remaining ladyfingers dipped in espresso.

Overhead shot of Easy tiramisu with piped creaming filling on top dusted with cocoa powder.

Finish with cocoa powder. Pipe the remaining mascarpone mixture on top and dust with enough cocoa powder to cover the mascarpone layer completely.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

As a trained pastry chef, I love sharing my tried and true tips with you. Here are four tips to follow for the best easy tiramisu:

No espresso maker? Use instant espresso powder mixed with water.
Chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment for at least 15 minutes. Whipping your cream in a cold refrigerated bowl helps the fat in the cream trap more air so that it whips into a light, fluffy, and more stable whipped cream.
Don’t overmix your heavy cream. Beat your cream and mascarpone mixture just until stiff peaks form. Overmixing will cause your mixture to curdle (it’ll still taste delicious, it just won’t be smooth and creamy).
Make it ahead of time. Tiramisu tastes best when made in advance. Refrigerate overnight or up to 2-3 days in advance to allow the flavors to blend.

Recipe Variations

Individual tiramisu. For individual servings, layer the tiramisu in ramekins or glasses. Depending on the size of your ramekins, cut the ladyfingers into smaller pieces before dipping into the espresso.
Chocolate ladyfingers. Just like this chocolate coffee cake, we love the combination of espresso and chocolate. You can replicate this combination by replacing traditional ladyfingers with the chocolate version.

Angled shot of Easy tiramisu with piped creaming filling on top dusted with cocoa powder and coffee in the background.

How to Serve Tiramisu

You’ll want to slice the tiramisu into square or rectangular portions for a beautiful presentation. Use a sharp knife (wipe it between each cut) and remove the slices using a small serving spatula.

Storage & Freezing Tips

Storage. Keep tiramisu covered in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Freezing. Make the tiramisu in a freezer-safe baking dish and omit the dusting of cocoa powder. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and dust with the cocoa powder before serving.

Overhead of two slices of easy tiramisu on plates with a cup of coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I double this recipe to serve a crowd?

Absolutely! Use a 9x13-inch pan to accommodate doubling the recipe.

Can I skip the 4-hour chill in the refrigerator?

I wouldn’t recommend skipping the chill time because this allows the mascarpone filling to set up and the flavors to develop. Ideally, refrigerating overnight is best, but you can stick to 4 hours if you are serving it sooner.

Why is my tiramisu soggy?

Oversoaking the ladyfingers will cause them to become soggy and can result in a watery tiramisu. All you need is a quick dip into the espresso on each side.

Why is my filling runny?

Undermixing the heavy cream and mascarpone cheese will create a runny filling. Make sure to mix until stiff peaks form.

More No-Bake Desserts You'll Love

I hope you love this Easy Tiramisu as much as we do and that it becomes a family favorite! Please leave a comment below, I love reading your feedback! And if you’d like to make this recipe later, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest! Happy Baking!