Best Tiramisu Recipe with Orange Cream
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Recipe Intro From lisathompson
This is by far the best tiramisu recipe I have ever made. A homemade orange cream is folded into the mascarpone mixture for a bright flavor that cuts through the richness and perfectly complements this coffee-flavored dessert.
Recipe Description
My orange cream tiramisu recipe hits all of the notes of traditional tiramisu: coffee-soaked ladyfingers, decadent mascarpone cream, and a generous dusting of cocoa powder. However, my little twist on the beloved Italian dessert is the burst of orange flavor used throughout the recipe. I have also solved for a commonly offputting aspect of many tiramisu recipes: raw eggs.
- Best Tiramisu Recipe Ingredients
- Ingredient Notes
- Test Kitchen Tips
- FAQs
- Recipe Card
Best Tiramisu Recipe Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Mascarpone Cheese
Mascarpone cheese is used in the cream base in addition to heavy cream and some flavorings. Mascarpone is the most traditional filling for tiramisu recipes.
Orange Flavoring
Orange flavorings appear in this recipe in the form of orange blossom water, as well as fresh orange juice and zest.
Ladyfingers
Also known as savoiardi, ladyfingers are briefly dipped in strong coffee before layering.
Strong Brewed Coffee
Strong brewed coffee essential in tiramisu recipes. You can use regular or decaf coffee. One option is to use a cold brew concentrate available in many grocery stores. Just heat it briefly first so the orange peel and cinnamon can infuse into the coffee.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Unsweetened cocoa powder adds the perfect earthy bite to tiramisu when dusted between the layers and on top.
Vanilla Bean Paste
Vanilla bean paste is an extra special pantry item to keep on hand for baking. The little flecks of vanilla add so much flavor appeal and intrigue. Some brands are expensive, but it is also becoming more widely available at stores like Trader Joe’s for a fraction of the price. You can also use the “caviar” from 1 scraped vanilla bean and a splash of vanilla extract in this recipe.
Test Kitchen Tips
Sleep On It
I tasted this recipe after refrigerating it for about 5 hours and was slightly disappointed. HOWEVER, when I tasted it again the following day, it had literally transformed. All of the flavors and textures melded beautifully. So while you can technically make and eat this dessert in one day, just remember “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, and nor should the best tiramisu recipe be.
Quick Dip
Try not to submerge the lady fingers in the coffee for more than a quick second. Over-saturated lady fingers will add too much liquid and lend a watery mouthfeel.
Like a Creamsicle, But Better
You can use orange blossom water or a small amount of this exceptional fiori di Sicilia extract, which is a combination of orange blossom water, citrus, and vanilla. Orange blossom water is more subtle, but it is a beautiful flavor and pairs well with other flavors in this tiramisu.
Hack It
Many traditional tiramisu recipes call for raw eggs to bring richness and airiness to the mascarpone cream filling, but this raises concerns over food borne illness depending on what kinds of eggs are available to you locally. Play it safe with this recipe, which uses an egg-based orange cream that is cooked over a double boiler. The result is orangey and eggy (in the best and safest way possible). If you can find a prepared orange curd, feel free to swap in about 2 cups of it in this recipe for a little shortcut.
Use Up Those Egg Whites
Eggwhites can be frozen in an airtight container. Thaw and whip up a batch of my silky pomegranate-cream cheese buttercream, a lemony daiquiri cocktail, or this chocolate pavlova with fresh whipped cream!
FAQs
What is in classic tiramisu?
Classic tiramisu recipes include coffee-soaked lady fingers, a cream made with mascarpone cheese and eggs, and a dusting of cocoa powder.
How long to leave tiramisu in fridge before eating?
Overnight chilling is preferred when making tiramisu because it allows the lady fingers to meld with the cream mixture.
What is the best liquor to use in tiramisu?
The best tiramisu recipes don’t always include liquor. If you want to go that route you can add a splash of Marsala wine, vin santo, or amaretto to the coffee before dunking the lady fingers.
Recipe Card
For the Orange Cream
ingredients
- Zest of 1 medium orange
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, from about 3 medium oranges
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 6 large egg yolks
For the Mascarpone Cream Filling
ingredients
- 16 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange blossom water, or 1/4 teaspoon fiori di Sicilia e
- Pinch kosher salt
For the Coffee Soak
ingredients
- 12 ounces strong brewed coffee, (decaf if necessary)
- 1 3-inch strip orange peel
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Splash fortified wine or liquor, (such as Marsala or amaretto) optional
To Assemble
ingredients
- 1 1/2 (7-ounce) packages ladyfingers or savoiardi, about 30
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
Make the Orange Cream
Method
Step 1
Bring a few inches of water to a boil in small pot. Reduce to a moderate simmer.
Step 2
Combine the orange juice, orange zest, sugar, and egg yolks in a medium heat-proof bowl and set it over the simmering water. Be sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
Step 3
Whisk the orange mixture constantly until thick and fluffy, about 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer should read about 140F degrees.
Step 4
Remove the bowl from heat and set over an ice bath to cool down completely, then transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use.
Make the Coffee Soak
Step 1
Once the coffee is brewed, add a strip of orange zest and the cinnamon stick to infuse the flavors into the coffee. Add a splash of fortified wine or liquor here, if using. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Make the Mascarpone Filling
Step 1
Add the mascarpone cheese, orange blossom water or fiori di Sicilia extract, and vanilla bean paste or extract to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted or a large mixing bowl. Whip on medium speed to break up the mascarpone a bit.
Step 2
Stream in the cold whipping cream. Increase speed to medium-high and whip until fluffy, about 30 seconds.
Step 3
Add chilled orange cream mixture and stir on low speed until combined, then increase speed to medium-high for about 1 minute.
Assemble and Refrigerate
Step 1
Add a few spoonfuls of the orange cream mixture to the bottom of a 2 quart baking dish or serving bowl.
Step 2
Dunk the lady fingers one at a time just for a moment into the coffee mixture, then lay overtop the cream mixture until the bottom of the dish is filled.
Step 3
Dust with cocoa powder.
Step 4
Spoon about 2 cups of the orange cream mixture over the lady fingers, then top with another layer of lady fingers and dusting of cocoa powder.
Step 5
Add more orange cream and a final layer of lady fingers.
Step 6
Finish with a layer of the orange-mascarpone cream and a generous dusting of cocoa powder. Refrigerate uncovered overnight before serving.