The History of Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that has been around since 1800. It is said to come from Treviso, and its name comes from the dialect "tireme su." According to legend, Tiramisu was invented by a Madame of a brothel. The story goes that the Madame wanted to create a dessert that would please her clients and help them recover from their fatigue. Tiramisu soon became a popular dessert, and it continues to be enjoyed by people all over the world.

Jump to Recipe

Tiramisu consists of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, and cocoa powder. The ladyfingers are what makes Tiramisu not gluten free. The ladyfingers are made with wheat and contain gluten. I have been searching stores to find gluten free ladyfingers. You can imagine how unsuccessful I have been in finding them in a general grocery store.

I decided to make my own ladyfinger because I could not find any. But if you do not want to make your own, I listed a few tips to help you make Tiramisu at home below

Tiramisu Ingredients

What is Mascarpone?

Here is also a small explanation what is Mascarpone if you are not familiar with this tiramisu ingredients: Itis a delicious, creamy Italian cheese that is perfect for all sorts of recipes. While it is often used in desserts, it can also be used in savory dishes. Mascarpone is made from cream that has been thickened with citric acid or vinegar. This gives the cheese its signature tangy flavor. Mascarpone is a soft cheese, so it is very easy to spread. It is also quite versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes. If you are looking for a delicious and gluten-free cheese, then mascarpone is a great option. However, it is important to note that mascarpone is not lactose-free. So, if you are lactose intolerant, then you should avoid this cheese.

Substitutes Ladyfinger Substitute

Ladyfingers are a light, airy type of cookie or biscuit that is often used in desserts like Tiramisu. While they can be tricky to make at home, there is an easy substitute: sponge cake. Sponge cake is soft and sponge-like (hence the name) and has a similar texture to ladyfingers. It's also much easier to make than ladyfingers, which makes it a great option for those who want to make Tiramisu at home but don't want to go through the hassle of making ladyfingers from scratch. That being said, sponge cake is denser ladyfingers, so it's important to keep that in mind when substituting sponge cake for ladyfingers in a recipe.

Mascarpone Substitute for Tiramisu

When I lived in the United States, I found it hard to find all the Tiramisu ingredients. I especially had a difficult time finding mascapone. When I did find it, the price was expensive. There are some substitutes that can be used in place of mascarpone. One is to use cream cheese and whipping cream. Another is to use ricotta cheese and mascarpone. Based on some of my Google research, either of these substitutes will work well in Tiramisu.

Coffee Liquor Replacement

The original tiramisu recipe does not contain any alcohol, many modern versions include a splash of rum, Marsala wine or coffee liquor. However, buying a big bottle of coffee liquor for one dessert can be a bit pricey. Luckily, it's easy to make your own coffee liquor at home. All you need is 1-2 shots of espresso or instant coffee. Just make sure the coffee is very strong - like espresso - so that the liquor will be flavorful. Once you've brewed your coffee, simply add some rum or vodka and water to taste. And that's it - you've now got homemade coffee liquor that's perfect for Tiramisu (or any other coffee-flavored dessert)!

Tiramisu Making Tips

Take Your Time

Making gluten-free tiramisu takes time. So, plan ahead. You have to make all the different layers and then assemble and rest the cake. I found that it can take me up to 1.5 active time and 1-2 hours of passive time (to cool down the cake etc.) to make the ladyfingers or the gluten free sponge cake, mix the coffee liquor and to make the filling. The cake has then to rest for a minimum of 6 hours. I normally make it the day before I need it so it has plenty of time to rest. If you want to save some time, you can buy pre-made ladyfingers or a gluten-free cake from a bakery (if you can.)

Dipping the Ladyfingers

I've read many times that you're supposed to soak gluten-free ladyfingers in coffee liquor before using them in a tiramisu. The thinking is that the gluten-free ladyfingers are too dry and crumbly, and need to be softened up. But I've found that if you let them soak, they fall apart too easily and make the tiramisu layer too soggy. So my advice is to just dip the ladyfingers quickly in the coffee liquor. You'll still get all the flavor, but your tiramisu will have a better texture.

Letting Tiramisu rest overnight

While tiramisu is traditionally served immediately after it is assembled, I let the tiramisu rest at least 6 hours or even better overnight. It results in an even more flavorful dessert. By allowing the flavors to meld together overnight, tiramisu takes on a deeper and more complex flavor profile. So, plan ahead when you like to serve it.

Serving and Storing of Tiramisu

Tiramisu is typically served in individual portions, making it the perfect dessert to share with friends. tiramisu can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve.

Ladyfinger Dough (for Tiramisu)

Coffee & Liquor Mixture:

60ml (1/4 c) Vodka (Gluten-Free)
60ml (1/4 c) Spiced Rum or Dark Rum (Gluten-Free)

For the filling, please follow Chef’s awesome recipe: https://www.askchefdennis.com/the-best-tiramisu-you-will-ever-make/