Lemon Tiramisu with Lemon Curd
The ultimate dessert for any lemon lover! This easy Lemon Tiramisu is made with layers of ladyfingers dipped in limoncello, a lemon mascarpone whipped cream, and homemade lemon curd. Every bite is bright, rich, sweet, and tastes like spring/summer!
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 887kcal
Ingredients
Lemon Curd
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- 10 large egg yolks room temperature
- ⅝ cup lemon juice
- 1½ Tablespoons lemon zest
- ½ cup salted butter sliced, room temperature
Mascarpone Cream
- 1¾ cups heavy cream cold
- ⅜ cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 2¼ teaspoons limoncello
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese cold
Additional Ingredients
- 28 ladyfingers
- 3 cups limoncello
- 2¼ cups heavy cream cold
Instructions
Lemon Curd
- Combine sugar, egg yolks, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a glass, heat-proof bowl.
- Whisk together.
- Place bowl over a pot of simmering water.
- Cook and stir until thickened, about 20 minutes. (It's done when the curd coats the spoon you are stirring it with.)
- Remove from heat.
- Whisk in butter.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
Mascarpone Cream
- In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine cream, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and limoncello.
- Beat to soft peaks.
- Add mascarpone.
- Beat to medium-stiff peaks.
- Set aside.
Assembly
- Use 14 ladyfingers for the first layer.
- Dip each one in limoncello, flipping over once and soaking until the biscuit is saturated but not falling apart.
- Place in bottom of 8½-inch x 12-inch casserole.
- Top the ladyfingers with half the mascarpone cream, spreading to cover.
- Top the mascarpone cream with half the lemon curd, spreading to cover.
- Top with remaining ladyfingers soaked in limoncello.
- Repeat layers of mascarpone and curd. Set aside.
- Beat cream to medium-stiff peaks.
- Pipe or spread on top.
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) before serving.
Notes
How To Store This Lemon Tiramisu:
This delightful dessert is best enjoyed chilled, but how long will it stay fresh? Here's how to store your lemon tiramisu for maximum enjoyment:
- Refrigerate It: Once assembled, cover your lemon tiramisu with plastic wrap. This prevents air exposure and helps maintain the moisture content of the ladyfingers. Your lemon tiramisu will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. The flavors will actually meld and mature slightly over time, making it even tastier!
- Freezing (Optional): While not ideal, you can freeze leftover tiramisu for up to 2 months in an airtight container. However, freezing can alter the texture of the ladyfingers slightly, making them a bit soggy upon thawing.
- Sponge Cake or Pound Cake (Similar Texture): In a pinch, use an equal amount of store-bought sponge cake or pound cake, cut or torn into bite-sized pieces. These offer a similar light and airy texture to ladyfingers, and they'll absorb the delicious flavors beautifully.
- Savoiardi Biscuits (The Perfect Substitute): If you find them in your grocery store, savoiardi biscuits are the ideal replacement for ladyfingers. These are Italian sponge biscuits specifically designed for layering in desserts.
- Nilla Wafers: Nilla wafers are a fun alternative to ladyfingers. This creates a delightful textural contrast and adds a hint of vanilla flavor to the dessert!
- Store-bought Lemon Curd: In a pinch, using good quality store-bought lemon curd is a perfectly acceptable option. Look for brands that use real lemon juice and zest for the best flavor!
- Cream Cheese: While mascarpone cheese provides a luxurious richness, cream cheese can be used as a substitute. However, it will have a slightly denser texture and tangier flavor compared to mascarpone. To achieve a closer texture, use full-fat cream cheese that has been softened at room temperature.
- Crème Fraîche: Crème fraîche can be used as a substitute for a lighter option. It offers a slightly tangy flavor that compliments the lemon flavors nicely. However, the overall texture of the mascarpone cream layer will be slightly thinner and less luxurious compared to using mascarpone.
- Dairy-Free: There are dairy-free alternatives for both the mascarpone and whipped cream. Look for dairy-free mascarpone cheese substitutes and use a dairy-free whipped cream topping made with coconut milk or another plant-based alternative.
- Limoncello Replacement (for an alcohol-free version): Simply omit the limoncello from the mascarpone cream. For the soak, you can substitute a mixture of equal parts simple syrup (made with sugar and water) and fresh lemon juice for a touch of extra citrus flavor without the alcohol.
- Gluten-Free: This dessert can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free ladyfingers found online or at your local grocery store.
- Temperature Matters: For the smoothest results, make sure your eggs, butter, and lemons are all at room temperature (about 70℉, 21℃) before using them. This allows the ingredients to incorporate seamlessly and creates a silky texture in the lemon curd!
- Curd Consistency: The lemon curd should reach a pudding-like consistency when cooked. This usually takes between 10-25 minutes, depending on your heat source. Keep an eye on it and avoid boiling, as this can lead to a curdled texture. Using a heatproof glass bowl over a simmering pot of water ensures even heat distribution for perfect thickening.
- Don't Waste The Egg Whites: Don't toss those leftover egg whites! They're perfect for whipping up some delightful meringue cookies or a stunning pavlova dessert.
- Medium Peaks for Success: When whipping the mascarpone cream, aim for medium-stiff peaks. Over-whipping can turn the cream dense and grainy, resembling sweetened butter.
- Quick Dip, Big Flavor: Avoid soaking the ladyfingers for too long in the limoncello. A quick dip is all it takes to absorb the delicious citrusy flavor without turning the cookies soggy!
- Patience is Key: For the tiramisu to set properly and achieve its signature layered texture, allow it to chill in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours before serving. This ensures the ladyfingers soften completely and the flavors meld together beautifully.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 887kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 338mg | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 53g | Vitamin A: 2013IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 1mg