Lemon Tiramisu
A refreshing twist on the classic Italian dessert, bursting with zesty lemon flavor and creamy mascarpone, perfect for warm weather gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Syrup
- ¾ cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice Use fresh lemons for best flavor.
- ¾ cup water
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon zest
For the Lemon Curd
- 7 large egg yolks
- 1 whole egg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons lemon zest
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into half-inch pieces
For the Mascarpone Layer
- 1 ⅓ cup heavy cream, chilled
- 16 oz mascarpone cheese, room temperature Ensure it's at room temperature for easy blending.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup lemon syrup Prepared from earlier step.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For Layering
- 1 (7 oz) package savoiardi ladyfingers (about 24) Quickly dip them in lemon syrup for best result.
Instructions
Lemon Syrup Preparation
- In a saucepan, combine lemon juice, water, sugar, and lemon zest. Simmer gently until the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens. Allow to cool.
Lemon Curd Preparation
- In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, whole egg, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Cook over medium-low heat until thickened, then whisk in butter until smooth. Chill until set.
Mascarpone Layer Preparation
- Chill heavy cream in a bowl and whip until soft peaks form.
- In a separate bowl, blend mascarpone with sugar, lemon syrup, vanilla, and chilled lemon curd until smooth. Gently fold in the whipped cream until fully combined.
Assembly
- Dip each ladyfinger quickly in the lemon syrup and arrange them in a dish. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over them. Repeat layers, finishing with the remaining mascarpone.
Chill and Serve
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, for the best flavor and texture.
- Dust with lemon zest or powdered sugar, and garnish with fresh berries before serving.
Notes
Serve chilled with a dusting of powdered sugar or fresh lemon zest for an extra burst of flavor. For a more intense lemon flavor, feel free to increase the lemon zest used in the mascarpone layer. Allowing the tiramisu to set overnight enhances the flavors.