Tiramisu

A simple, refined tiramisu recipe inspired by childhood Italian holidays – simple, delicious, and full of nostalgic flavours.

Recipe source: Classic Italian Cooking – Hamlyn

Tiramisu: A Taste of Childhood Holidays

I was born in the ’70s and grew up in the ’80s. Back then in Austria, people didn’t travel far. But if you managed to save for a holiday and wanted a special break you’d pack up your car, gather your family, and drive four to five hours to the nearest beach resort in Italy.

Memories of Italian Beaches

I still remember those childhood holidays fondly – the soft sand between my toes, the salty sea with proper waves, and meeting kids from all over Europe who quickly became friends. Kids I would never have met in our small village.

My family usually stayed in rented holiday apartments, but we always went out for dinner. The pizza, the pasta! Not just perfect for a child’s dream but also delightful for grown-up palates.

Longing for Holiday Flavours

Unsurprisingly, we returned home longing for those tastes. Keep in mind, this was the ’80s, and most of us had very little exposure to international cuisine. Thinking back now makes me smile, but at the time, these dishes were almost considered “exotic.”

When mascarpone first appeared in Austrian supermarkets, everyone was eager to recreate those holiday memories with tiramisu. To make it simple, the recipe was printed right on the tub, and everyone followed it to the letter. It was the only guide our parents had, and honestly, it was pretty good.

My Favourite Tiramisu Recipe

Since then, I’ve visited Italy many times and had plenty of tiramisu – it’s always my go-to dessert if it’s on the menu. The recipe I’m about to share is my favourite version. It tastes authentic and is close to what I grew up with: a little more sophisticated and refined, but still true to the dessert I remember from my childhood vacations.

Watch the video below to see it being made:

Tiramisu

Servings

2 – 4

servings

A simple, refined tiramisu recipe inspired by childhood Italian holidays – simple, delicious, and full of nostalgic flavours.

Ingredients

• 2 egg yolks

• 1tbsp caster sugar

• Vanilla essence, to taste

• 150g mascarpone cheese

• 175ml strong black coffee

• 2tbsp Marsala

• 1tbsp brandy

• 150g sponge fingers

• 1tbsp cocoa powder

Directions

• In a bowl, mix the egg yolks and sugar, then beat with a wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in the vanilla essence and gently fold in the mascarpone cheese until the mixture is thick and creamy.
• In a wide bowl, combine the coffee, Marsala, and brandy.
• Quickly dip each sponge finger into the coffee mixture, one at a time. Soak just enough to absorb some liquid without letting them fall apart. Arrange half of the sponge fingers in a single layer in a suitable serving dish.
• Spread half of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the sponge layer. Repeat the dipping and layering process with the remaining sponge fingers and mascarpone mixture to create a second layer.
• Finish with a light dusting of cocoa powder. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, before serving.