Easy Lemon Tiramisu Dessert (Printable)
Layers of lemon-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone create a light, chill-friendly dessert.
# What You Need:
→ Lemon Syrup
01 - 1 cup water
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/3 cup)
04 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Mascarpone Cream
05 - 1 cup heavy cream, cold
06 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
07 - 8 oz mascarpone cheese, softened
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Assembly
10 - 24 ladyfinger cookies (savoiardi)
11 - Lemon slices and extra zest for garnish (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine water, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and zest in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring continuously until sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before using.
02 - In a chilled mixing bowl, beat heavy cream and powdered sugar with electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
03 - In separate bowl, gently beat mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy.
04 - Fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture gradually until fully incorporated and fluffy. Avoid overmixing to maintain light texture.
05 - Working quickly, dip each ladyfinger into cooled lemon syrup for just 1-2 seconds per side. Cookies should be moistened but not soggy or falling apart.
06 - Arrange half of dipped ladyfingers in single layer in 9x9-inch dish. Spread half of mascarpone cream evenly over cookies using spatula.
07 - Repeat with remaining ladyfingers and mascarpone cream. Smooth top surface with spatula for even presentation.
08 - Cover dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate minimum 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and texture to set properly.
09 - Before serving, decorate with fresh lemon slices and additional lemon zest if desired. Serve chilled.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The lemon syrup infuses every bite with sunshine while keeping the ladyfingers perfectly tender without being soggy
- No baking means you can assemble this in the morning and have an impressive dessert ready for dinner without heating your kitchen
02 -
- The ladyfingers should be dipped quickly, just a quick dunk, or they'll become too wet and collapse
- Mascarpone can curdle if overmixed, so fold the whipped cream in gently with a spatula
03 -
- Zest your lemons before juicing them since it's much harder to zest a squeezed lemon
- Make sure your mixing bowl and beaters are completely cold before whipping the cream