Zesty Lemon Tiramisu Recipe: A Sweet Italian Twist

Summer’s sweetest dessert gets a zesty twist with this delightful lemon tiramisu that promises to brighten up any gathering.

Creamy mascarpone cheese mingles with tangy citrus notes, creating a refreshing spin on the classic Italian favorite.

The vibrant lemon flavor cuts through the rich, velvety layers, offering a delectable balance of sweetness and tartness.

Each spoonful delivers a luxurious blend of soft ladyfingers soaked in bright lemon syrup and silky mascarpone cream.

This no-bake dessert comes together with surprising ease, making it perfect for both experienced bakers and kitchen novices.

The elegant presentation belies its simple preparation, ensuring you’ll impress everyone at the table.

Get ready to savor a dessert that’s both sophisticated and irresistibly delicious.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20min

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 6 hours 20min

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 9

Lemon Tiramisu Ingredient Breakdown

• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create smooth, balanced syrup.
• Lemon Juice: Delivers bright, zesty citrus flavor and helps dissolve sugar.
• Water: Creates liquid base for syrup consistency.

• Mascarpone Cheese: Brings luxurious, silky texture and rich Italian cream character.
• Heavy Cream: Creates light, airy whipped structure for elegant dessert filling.
• Egg Yolks: Adds rich, velvety thickness and deep golden color to lemon curd.
• Whole Egg: Enhances binding and provides extra protein for smooth curd texture.
• Vanilla: Delivers subtle warmth and depth to mascarpone filling.

• Ladyfingers: Provides delicate, absorbent base for soaking up lemon syrup.
• Lemon Zest: Intensifies citrus aroma and adds vibrant, fresh lemon essence.
• Butter: Contributes smoothness and rounds out lemon curd's tangy profile.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.
• Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes lemon curd and mascarpone mixture.

Tools for Crafting Lemon Tiramisu

• Stand Mixer: Essential for whipping cream and beating mascarpone filling smoothly.
• Whisk Attachment: Perfect for creating stiff whipped cream peaks.
• Paddle Attachment: Great for mixing mascarpone cheese and other filling ingredients.
• Medium Saucepan: Needed for making lemon syrup and lemon curd.
• Fine-Mesh Strainer: Crucial for straining lemon curd to ensure silky texture.
• 8-Inch Square Dish: Ideal for layering and assembling the tiramisu.
• Pastry Bag or Ziplock Bag: Helpful for piping final mascarpone layer evenly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Whisk: Great for combining and blending ingredients smoothly.
• Spatula: Perfect for folding whipped cream and scraping bowls.

How to Build a Lemon Tiramisu

• Zesty Lemon Liquid

Create a tangy syrup by heating sugar and lemon juice in a pan. Let it bubble gently until slightly thickened. Cool completely in the refrigerator.

• Silky Lemon Cream

Whisk egg yolks, whole egg, and sugar in a pan. Add fresh lemon juice and zest. Stir constantly over gentle heat until the mixture transforms into a smooth, luxurious cream. Strain and chill thoroughly.

• Dreamy Cream Layer

Whip heavy cream until it forms perfect peaks. In another bowl, blend mascarpone cheese with sweet sugar, lemon syrup, and vanilla. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture, creating a cloud-like filling.

• Layered Bliss

Quickly dip delicate ladyfingers into the lemon syrup. Arrange them in a pristine dish, creating a perfect base. Spread a generous layer of lemon cream, followed by the fluffy mascarpone mixture. Repeat the layers, ending with a decorative piped topping.

• Patient Perfection

Wrap the dessert carefully and let it rest in the refrigerator. Allow at least six hours for the flavors to mingle and develop their magical harmony.

Lemon Tiramisu Tips and Enhancements

• Enhance the citrus profile by adding extra lemon zest to the mascarpone filling or sprinkling some on top before serving for an intense lemony punch.
• Swap traditional ladyfingers with pound cake or sponge cake for a different soft and absorbent base that still complements the creamy lemon filling.
• Top the tiramisu with fresh berries, candied lemon slices, or a light dusting of powdered sugar to create a visually stunning and deliciously decorative dessert.
• Prepare the entire dessert up to 2 days in advance, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify while saving you time on the day of serving.

Serving Lemon Tiramisu

• Citrus Breakfast Companion: Pair this zesty tiramisu with a bright morning cappuccino or freshly squeezed orange juice for a delightful sunrise treat.
• Afternoon Tea Elegance: Serve small elegant squares alongside delicate tea cups during an afternoon gathering, creating a sophisticated dessert experience that feels luxurious and light.
• Summer Garden Party Centerpiece: Display the tiramisu on a beautiful white ceramic platter garnished with fresh lemon slices, edible flowers, and mint leaves to create a stunning centerpiece that celebrates summer's vibrant colors and flavors.
• Dessert Wine Pairing: Complement the lemon tiramisu's bright notes with a chilled glass of moscato or a sweet Riesling, enhancing the dessert's citrusy undertones and creating a harmonious flavor profile.

How to Store Lemon Tiramisu

• Delightful Dessert Strategy
• Refrigeration Magic: Store your lemon tiramisu in an airtight container to maintain its creamy texture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Keeps beautifully for 3-4 days when sealed properly.
• Freezing Finesse: Wrap the entire dessert tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve its delicate layers and zesty flavor profile.
• Make-Ahead Mastery: Prepare the lemon curd and syrup up to 5 days in advance, storing them separately in sealed containers. This strategy helps break down the preparation process and saves precious time when assembling the final dessert.
• Serving Suggestions: Remove the tiramisu from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to soften and become more pronounced. Garnish with fresh lemon zest or a light dusting of powdered sugar just before presenting to enhance its visual appeal and taste.

Silky Lemon Tiramisu Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 20min
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Silky lemon tiramisu marries Italian classic with zesty citrus charm. Creamy mascarpone layers and limoncello-soaked ladyfingers create an irresistible dessert you’ll savor to the last delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 7 egg yolks
• 1 whole egg
• 16 oz (454 g) mascarpone cheese
• 1 package (7 oz/198 g) savoiardi ladyfingers
• 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ⅓ cups (320 ml) heavy cream
• 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) water
• 1 cup (240 ml) freshly-squeezed lemon juice
• ½ cup (120 ml) lemon syrup
• ½ cup (120 ml) lemon juice
• 6 tbsps lemon zest
• 5 tbsps (70 g) unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/8 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Lemon Syrup Preparation: Simmer sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Reduce liquid slightly, then chill completely in a shallow bowl.
2. Lemon Curd Creation: Whisk egg yolks, whole egg, and sugar in a saucepan. Add lemon juice, zest, salt, and butter. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and refrigerate to cool.
3. Mascarpone Filling Development: Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks. In a separate bowl, blend mascarpone cheese, sugar, lemon syrup, and vanilla. Gently fold whipped cream into the mixture until smooth and uniform.
4. Tiramisu Assembly: Quickly dip ladyfingers into chilled lemon syrup, ensuring light moisture. Create the first layer by arranging soaked ladyfingers evenly across the bottom of an 8-inch dish. Spread half the lemon curd, followed by a layer of mascarpone filling.
5. Final Layering: Add another set of syrup-moistened ladyfingers. Top with remaining lemon curd and mascarpone filling. Use a piping bag to create an elegant final layer, ensuring smooth and even coverage.
6. Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the dessert for at least 6 hours to allow flavors to meld and texture to set perfectly. Serve chilled for a refreshing and luxurious dessert experience.

Notes

• Prevent Soggy Ladyfingers: Quickly dip ladyfingers in lemon syrup, avoiding over-soaking to maintain their delicate texture and prevent a mushy dessert.
• Smooth Lemon Curd Technique: Strain the curd through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any egg bits, ensuring a silky, luxurious consistency.
• Whipping Cream Success: Achieve stiff peaks by chilling the mixing bowl and whisk beforehand, creating a more stable and voluminous whipped cream.
• Flavor Melding Magic: Allow minimum 6-hour refrigeration to let the layers blend and develop a rich, harmonious taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20min
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg