Skip to main content

Limoncello Tiramisù

我mage may contain Cutlery Fork and Plant
图片由切尔西Kyle

One of the delights of making tiramisù is its versatility. This recipe makes a family-style dessert in a large dish, but you can easily compose single servings in dessert glasses, wine goblets, or even elegant teacups for a more impressive presentation, in the style of Signora Garatti's original "coppa imperiale." And while the conventional version of tiramisù calls for espresso soaked savoiardi, I've found that other flavors can be incorporated into the dessert with great success. Here, the brightness of fresh lemons and limoncello liqueur lace the cream and soaking syrup to make for a tiramisù that is refreshing and irresistible.

我ngredients

Makes a 12-or 13-inch tiramisù

5 large eggs
5 or 6 lemons
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups limoncello liqueur
1 cup water
1 pound (2 cups) mascarpone, at room temperature
40 ladyfingers (preferably imported Italian savoiardi), or more as needed
  1. Step 1

    Pour just enough water in the double-boiler pan so the water level is right below the bottom of the mixing bowl when it is sitting in the pan. Separate the eggs, putting yolks into the large bowl of the double boiler and the whites into another stainless-steel bowl for whipping by hand or with an electric mixer.

    Step 2

    Remove the zest of two or more of the lemons, using a fine grater, to get 2 tablespoons of zest. Squeeze out and strain the juice of these and the other lemons to get 3/4 cup of fresh lemon juice.

    Step 3

    To make the base for the tiramisù, heat the water in the double boiler to a steady simmer. Off the heat, beat the egg yolks with 1/4 cup of the sugar and ± cup of the limoncello until well blended.

    Step 4

    Set the bowl over the simmering water, and whisk constantly, frequently scraping the whisk around the sides and bottom of the bowl, as the egg mixture expands and heats into a frothy sponge, 5 minutes or longer. When the sponge has thickened enough to form a ribbon when it drops on the surface, take the bowl off the double-boiler pan and let it cool.

    Step 5

    Meanwhile, pour the remaining cup of limoncello, all of the lemon juice, 1 cup water, and 1/2 cup of the sugar in a saucepan.

    Step 6

    Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and cook for 5 minutes, evaporating the alcohol. Let the syrup cool completely.

    Step 7

    我n another large bowl, stir the mascarpone with a wooden spoon to soften it, then drop in the grated lemon zest and beat until light and creamy. Whip the egg whites with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, by hand or by machine, until it holds moderately firm peaks. When the cooked limoncello sponge (or zabaglione) is cooled, scrape about a third of it over the mascarpone, and fold it in with a large rubber spatula. Fold in the rest of the zabaglione in two or three additions. Now fold in the whipped egg whites in several additions, until the limoncello-mascarpone cream is light and evenly blended.

    Step 8

    Pour some of the cooled syrup, no deeper than 1/4 inch, into the shallow-rimmed pan to moisten the ladyfingers (savoiardi). One at a time, roll a ladyfinger in the syrup and place it in the casserole or baking dish. Wet each cookie briefly—if it soaks up too much syrup, it will fall apart. Arrange the moistened ladyfingers in neat, tight rows, filling the bottom of the pan completely. You should be able to fit about twenty ladyfingers in a single layer.

    Step 9

    Scoop half of the limoncello-mascarpone cream onto the ladyfingers, and smooth it to fill the pan and cover them. Dip and arrange a second layer of ladyfingers in the pan, and cover it completely with the remainder of the cream. Smooth the cream with the spatula, and seal the tiramisù airtight in plastic wrap. Before serving, refrigerate for 6 hours (or up to 2 days), or put it in the freezer for 2 hours. To serve, cut portions of tiramisù in any size you like, and lift each out of the pan onto dessert plates.

From莉迪亚的意大利by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich. Copyright (c) 2007 by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich. Published by Knopf.Lidia Bastianichhosts the hugely popular PBS show, "Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen" and owns restaurants in New York City, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh. Also the author ofLidia's Italian TableandLidia's Italian-American Kitchen, she lives in Douglaston, New York.
Sign InorSubscribe
to leave a Rating or Review

How would you rate Limoncello Tiramisù?

Leave a Review

Reviews (12)

Back to Top Triangle
  • 我做了这个复活节,它是如此的美味。我did what other reviewers did & left out the water in the syrup & it was a perfect amount for the 2 packages of savioardi. I put a full layer of whipped cream over the top & shredded white chocolate dyed green to make little nests & placed chocolate eggs in them for Easter decor. I chilled it overnight on a bunny platter & made sides with aluminum to keep it intact. Really a showstopper...even the Sicilian gourmet chef was impressed!

    • stbibee4154

    • Laguna Beach

    • 4/2/2018

  • Awesome dessert. I cut in half since there are only 2 of us and it worked out well. Be sure to refrigerate overnight! Of course it goes well with a chilled glass of limoncello!

    • bryonj

    • TN

    • 12/8/2016

  • 我was really excited to try this recipe and it did not disappoint. I added a layer of sugared raspberries between layers and it was delicious. The top layer soaked up some of the raspberry juices and added more interest to the dessert. I rolled each ladyfinger in the syrup for 10-15 sec and then added a little extra syrup on top of the cookies before laying with the cream mixture. This made sure they were nice and moist. I warmed the syrup to dissolve the sugar but not too long to evaporate all the alcohol. I allowed this to soak overnight. My European guests were very pleased with the overall taste and happy the tiramisu was not overly sweet. All the flavors are very well balanced. Guests were happy to take some home.

    • bubbles411

    • Long Island, NY

    • 1/18/2014

  • This is delicious. Hubby, who is a very picky eater, gobbled-up this dessert. Of course, I didn't let on that it contained raw egg whites. This will be our little secret.

    • MsGoblin

    • Manhattan

    • 4/13/2013

  • 我just made this desert. I'm confused on the directions; seems that that the syrup you make in the sauce pan was only use to dip the lady fingers? Right? It seemed that there was no other use for it? Please help! The rest of the receipt seem to work very well! Can't wait to eat it ,as we're taking to a friend's for dinner for a Italian food. She doesn't like coffee so I thought she'd love this, can't wait!,

    • Dyanne17Klepper

    • San Diego,ca

    • 3/8/2013

  • 我've made this dessert many times, and it is always a hit, not to mention a great alternative to classic tiramisu for non-coffee lovers. Allow some time to make it, though, and it's really best when it has a lot of time to set (ideally overnight).

    • Anonymous

    • Washington, DC

    • 6/11/2012

  • Very, very light and flavorful. Be sure to use the drier ladyfingers as stated. Worth the extra work!

    • pamolive

    • Virginia Beach, VA

    • 4/22/2012

  • This was wonderful. I added a layer of crushed raspberries in the middle. It cut perfectly and looked great on a plate drizzled with seedless raspberry sauce. Because it can be made two days ahead, I will make this again for Easter. It looks like Spring. Can a dessert be light AND rich? This one is that and more.

    • skifvr

    • Denver, CO

    • 4/4/2012

  • 我'm making it for the second time today. It is delicious, presents well, and a sure crowd pleaser. I followed the recipe as written.

    • rttrask

    • Minneapolis

    • 10/9/2011

  • 我am interested in making this for a board meeting. Anyone know about how many individual servings this will make? I love Lidia and love lemon, sounds awesome!

    • phatdogs3

    • Oklahoma City

    • 10/30/2010

  • 我am a beginner, and served Limoncello Tiramisu, for my nieces birthday party and it was fabulous! Everyone loved it! Will definitely do this again! I was scared because of all of the steps and did make some mistakes, but no one could tell. Thanks!!!!!

    • Poet1616

    • San Jose, CA

    • 3/21/2010

  • 我have made this several times as it appeared on this site some time ago and it is always fantastic. I often put it together in individual goblets, looks great and can be done in advance.

    • contos

    • Boise, Idaho

    • 1/21/2010

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Double Chocolate Chunk Muffins
我f you’re looking for the ultimate chocolate chip muffin recipe, this version—with a cocoa-enriched batter and big chocolate chunks—is absolutely perfect.
Double Chocolate Potato Drops
These cakey chocolate cookies are made with mashed potatoes and melted unsweetened chocolate.
Double Ginger Scones With Currants
Crystallized ginger adds spice to this brunch staple.
Sunshine Broth With Frikadelki
The carrots melt into the broth of this comforting soup with meatballs.
Ceviche Verde With Pepitas
我n this ceviche verde, halibut or sea bass is dressed with fresh lime juice blended with cilantro, mint, and pepitas.
Blistered Brassicas With Tamari Caesar
Seared broccoli rabe and broccolini get dressed in a dairy-free, umami-jacked dressing and topped with crisp and nutty cornbread.
Three-Cup Chicken With Scissor-Cut Noodles
This sweet-and-savory Taiwanese sauce is famously simple, and these homemade noodles are too.
Spiced Lamb Ramen With Cucumbers and Yogurt
我nspired by Japanese mazemen, this brothless dish is dreamy on a warm night.