Tiramisu For Two

This cozy Tiramisu For Two is a delectable scaled-down version of a classic Italian dessert made with espresso-soaked ladyfingers, a creamy mascarpone filling, and a dusting of cocoa powder. Can be served in two individual glasses or in a mini loaf pan for Valentine’s Day, date night, and other special occasions.

With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, I was thinking about which date night recipes I have to yet to make.

Then it hit me – I don’t have a Tiramisu For Two recipe (until now!).

I’ve eaten my fair share of tiramisu, but this was my first time actually making it at home.

After several rounds of testing, I’ve come up with the best tiramisu for two (even if one of the ingredients isn’t quite authentic but boy does it amp up the flavor).

Also it’s made without raw egg (a huge plus when it comes to food safety).

But first let’s talk about what exactly is tiramisu?

Tiramisu is a classic Italian no bake dessert made by layering espresso-soaked ladyfingers with a creamy mascarpone filling then finishing it off with cocoa powder and shaved chocolate.

I consider homemade tiramisu a romantic dessert for two because it’s indulgent and does take some time to make and assemble.

Personally I find it very romantic when someone puts their heart, soul, and time into making food. At least that’s how I express my love for others.

The main ingredients for mini tiramisu are ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, espresso, and alcohol (traditionally Marsala wine but also brandy, rum, or Kahlua).

I’m not a huge drinker, but luckily the PA state liquor stores have mini bottles at the register. Since I like Kahlua (a coffee-based liquor), I bought a mini bottle so I only had to use up a few tablespoons.

However, if you’re looking for a tiramisu without alcohol then you can leave it out without substitute. It’s a small amount and you still have the espresso for flavor.

For serving, you can make individual tiramisu in two serving glasses so you don’t have to share or keep with tradition and assemble a small batch tiramisu all in one mini loaf pan.

Why You’ll Love This Tiramisu For Two

• No leftovers! – No need to worry about portion control as this recipe makes 2 servings.
• No raw egg! – Some recipes fold in whipped egg whites, which are considered raw to eat. I use whipped cream instead. I also cook the egg yolks to a safe temperature.
• Can be made ahead of time! – Tiramisu needs to set overnight, so you can make it the day before serving.

Ingredients For Tiramisu For Two

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make your mini tiramisu:

• Egg yolks: Used to make your zabaglione filling (sans alcohol) so it turns into a creamy custard
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the zabaglione and cream
• Heavy cream: Used to make a homemade whipped cream to fold into the filling.
• Mascarpone cheese: A creamy cheese with a mild, sweet creaminess. It’s similar to cream cheese but without the tang as you don’t want that here.
• Vanilla: Although not traditional, vanilla makes everything taste better. And trust me – we want to be eating the best tiramisu.
• Espresso: Tiramisu literally translate into “pick me up” because of the espresso used for soaking the ladyfingers. Espresso is stronger and often better tasting than drip coffee, so I highly recommend buying espresso powder and dissolving 1 tablespoon into 1/2 cup hot water.
• Alcohol such as Marsala wine or Kahlua: Traditionally Marsala wine is the authentic alcohol of tiramisu, but you can easily use brandy, rum, or Kahlua. And since this is a small batch tiramisu, you can find mini bottles of alcohol in most liquor stores so you’re not stuck with a full bottle.
• Ladyfingers: Also known as savoiardi, these Italian cookies are often found in the Italian section of your grocery store, not the general cookie aisle.
• Cocoa powder: Used to generously dust the top of your tiramisu
• Shaved chocolate: A touch of sweetness to go with your cocoa powder

What To Do With Leftover Egg Whites

Since homemade tiramisu uses two yolks, check out my recipes for leftover egg whites including flourless chocolate cookies and angel food cupcakes.

How To Make Mini Tiramisu

Here’s how to make your tiramisu for two:

1. 1. Beat egg yolks and sugar over a pan of simmering water until really thick and yellow with an internal temperature of 150F. This ensures you’re not eating raw egg yolk.
   2. Whip heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form then beat in the mascarpone and vanilla.
   3. Fold whipped cream mixture into the egg yolks.
   4. Dunk ladyfingers into espresso and alcohol, flipping them over and removing immediately as you don’t want them to get too soggy.

1. Layer the ladyfingers with the filling in your glass or pan.
2. Dust generously with cocoa powder and then garnish with shaved chocolate.
3. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight before serving.

Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.

More Romantic Desserts For Two

If you enjoyed this tiramisu for 2, check out my other romantic desserts for two including:

• Brownies For Two
• Mini Lava Cakes
• Red Velvet Lava Cakes
• Homemade Chocolate Mousse