Limoncello Tiramisu’ – The Petite Cook™

Limoncello tiramisu’ is a delicious no-bake Italian dessert made with 6 simple ingredients and packed with a refreshing, bright lemon flavor!

If you’re looking for a delicious holiday dessert recipe that will WOW your guests try this limoncello tiramisu’!

Made with the most simple cupboard ingredients, this no-bake Italian dessert has a soft cake-like texture and a delicious citrusy aroma.

When it comes to desserts, you really can’t go wrong with tiramisu’.

I love making a classic tiramisu’ on any special occasion, or a festive Christmas tiramisu‘ during the holidays.

And for coffee-free alternative, I always make limoncello tiramisu’.

This lemon tiramisu’ combines a simple lemon posset with mascarpone cheese, and ladyfingers quickly dipped into a limoncello syrup.

Limoncello has a sweet refreshing taste and is packed with citrus flavor, giving this lemon tiramisu’ a unique and irresistible taste.

And if you love limoncello as much as we Italians do, then I’m sure you’ll love this limoncello cake, or these limoncello cookies – They’re both incredibly delicious!

What is Limoncello?

Limoncello is a traditional Italian lemon liqueur with a refreshing, citrusy flavor, and it’s usually served chilled as an after-dinner drink.

The magic of limoncello lies in its simplicity since it’s made with just four ingredients, that infused together turn into a sweet and tangy lemon liqueur.

Limoncello is commonly produced in Southern Italy, particularly along the Amalfi Coast, where the flavorful Amalfi lemons are used to make this beloved liqueur.

Limoncello Tiramisu’ Ingredients

The beauty of this limoncello tiramisu’ recipe is you can make a showstopping Italian dessert with just a handful of ingredients. 

Here’s a list of the ingredients you will need:

• Savoiardi: ladyfingers or savoiardi are the base of any traditional tiramisu’. Use store-bought ladyfingers, or try homemade savoiardi.
• Lemon posset: custard-like lemon posset is egg-free and made with fresh whipping cream, sugar, lemon zest, and juice. You can substitute it with an equal amount of whipped cream mixed with sugar, and lemon zest.
• Mascarpone: A classic tiramisu’ ingredient, you can use store-bought or make homemade mascarpone cheese.
• Limoncello syrup: Made with water, sugar, lemon rind, and limoncello, this simple citrusy syrup is perfect for dipping savoiardi.

How to make Limoncello Tiramisu’

Here below is the step-by-step process to make the best limoncello tiramisu’ at home!

Scroll down until the end of the post for the full printable recipe.

STEP 1. For the lemon posset, heat the heavy cream and sugar, bring it to a boil, add the lemon juice and zest and turn the heat off. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until thickened.

STEP 2. For mascarpone cream, whisk the cheese until creamy, then gently incorporate the lemon posset, and whisk until smooth.

STEP 3. For the lemon syrup, heat water, sugar and lemon rind, then add limoncello, remove from the heat and cool down. Dip each ladyfinger briefly into the syrup and place over the bottom of a baking dish.

Tip: Don’t soak the ladyfingers for more than 1-2 seconds, otherwise they will get soggy. If necessary, break them in half so they can fit into the baking dish.

STEP 4. Spread a layer of the lemon mascarpone cream over the cookies, then repeat by adding a layer of dipped ladyfingers followed by a layer of cream. Refrigerate for at least a couple of hours, then serve.

Storage tips

Tiramisu’ is always at its best when refrigerated and eaten the next day, but you may also serve it straight away.

Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Recipe FAQs

More Italian Dessert Recipes To Try

Looking for more dessert recipes? Try these traditional Italian desserts:

Did You Try This Recipe?

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Recipe

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Limoncello tiramisu’ is a delicious no-bake Italian dessert made with 6 simple ingredients and packed with a refreshing, bright lemon flavor!

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Resting time:2 hours hrs

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Serving: 12

Calories: 563kcal

Ingredients

1x2x3x

For the lemon posset:

• 500 ml heavy whipping cream (min 35% fat)
• 180 g sugar
• 75 ml fresh lemon juice, about 2 lemons
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

For the limoncello syrup:

• 200 ml water
• 65 ml Limoncello liqueur
• 100 g sugar
• 1 lemon rind

For the limoncello tiramisu’:

MetricUS Customary

Instructions

For the lemon posset:

• Combine the cream and sugar in a saucepan, then heat the mixture over medium heat while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once small bubbles form on the surface, take it off the heat. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice and stir well. Although optional, you can strain the cream through a sieve to remove the lemon zest. Allow the lemon posset to cool for 10 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before use.

• Place the mascarpone cheese in a large bowl and whisk until creamy. Fold in the lemon posset and gently mix until combined and refrigerate until ready to use.

• Place the sugar, water and lemon peel in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over low heat, the sugar should dissolve completely. Remove from the heat, whisk in the limoncello and let the syrup cool completely.

• Transfer the limoncello syrup in a small bowl, then dip each ladyfinger for 1 second on each side.

• Place the ladyfingers in a rectangular 6×8 inches baking dish, and continue the process until the whole base is covered with ladyfingers. If necessary, feel free to break the cookie in half in order to fill the base up.

• Spread half of the prepared lemon mascarpone cream gently over the ladyfinger base, making sure they’re evenly covered. You can use a spatula or large spoon to help you with this.

• Repeat the process of soaking the ladyfingers in the limoncello syrup, then layer them over the cream, until is fully covered.

• Finally, spread evenly the remaining mascarpone cream on top of the ladyfingers.

• Place the Tiramisu in the fridge, and allow to set for at least a couple of hours, or overnight, then serve.

Notes

Can I substitute ladyfingers?
Yes, you can substitute it with a sponge cake or angel cake.
Cut the cake into 1cm (½ inch) thick slices and let them dry overnight on a wire rack ( or place them in the oven at 100 C for about half an hour). Then cut the slices into fingers or sticks, and proceed with the recipe.
Also, if you want to make an egg-free tiramisu’, you can use vegan savoiardi.
What if my Tiramisu is soggy and runny?
There are a few reasons you might have ended up with a soggy Tiramisu’:
• You might have overworked the mascarpone cream. Try mixing it delicately and incorporate gently the lemon posset cream.
• Your ladyfingers soaked too much syrup.  Avoid dipping the savoiardi for too long.
However, please don’t cry over a runny Tiramisu. Place it in the freezer for a couple of hours, then dust it with coconut flakes and serve it as a “frozen dessert”!

Nutrition

Calories: 563kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1386IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 1mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.