Zesty Lemon Tiramisu Recipe: A Fresh Twist on Classic Dessert

Creamy, dreamy lemon tiramisu dances between classic Italian dessert traditions and vibrant citrus freshness.

This zesty twist on the beloved coffee-soaked classic brings unexpected brightness to your dessert table.

Mascarpone cheese melts into silky layers, infused with tangy lemon essence that cuts through rich sweetness.

Delicate ladyfingers soak up bright lemon syrup, creating a dessert that feels both indulgent and refreshing.

Each spoonful promises a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors that will transport you to a sunny Italian coastline.

Elegant yet simple, this dessert turns an ordinary evening into a gourmet celebration.

Get ready to impress with a dessert that sparkles with Mediterranean charm.

Kitchen Items Needed for Lemon Tiramisu

• 4-quart baking dish: Essential for layering and assembling the tiramisu.
• Mixing bowls: Perfect for preparing cream and lemon curd mixtures.
• Whisk: Great for blending ingredients smoothly.
• Spatula: Helps spread layers evenly and create clean, neat surfaces.
• Sharp knife: Useful for carefully cutting ladyfingers to fit dish perfectly.
• Measuring cups: Ensures precise amounts of lemon curd and other ingredients.

Assembly Directions for Lemon Tiramisu

• Ladyfinger Foundation

Create a base layer of ladyfingers in your baking dish by gently dipping each cookie into the cooled syrup. Carefully trim cookies to fill any odd spaces, ensuring a complete bottom coverage.

• First Cream Canvas

Generously spread half of the luscious cream mixture over the ladyfinger foundation. Dollop a layer of bright lemon curd on top, smoothing it into a delightful landscape.

• Second Cookie Layer

Repeat the dipping process with remaining ladyfingers, creating a complete cookie blanket over the cream layer. Ensure full coverage for a consistent texture.

• Final Cream Topping

Cover the cookie layer with the remaining cream mixture, creating a smooth, even surface. Crown the dessert with another layer of zesty lemon curd, spreading it gently.

• Chilling Transformation

Refrigerate the tiramisu for a minimum of two hours, allowing flavors to meld and the dessert to set into a creamy, dreamy masterpiece ready to delight your taste buds.

Refreshing Twists for Classic Lemon Tiramisu

• Swap ladyfingers with shortbread or pound cake for a unique texture and flavor profile that still complements the zesty lemon cream.
• Grate fresh lemon zest directly into the cream mixture to boost citrusy brightness and create deeper aromatic layers.
• Prepare the tiramisu up to 2 days in advance, allowing flavors to meld and develop a more complex taste profile in the refrigerator.
• Garnish the top with candied lemon peel, fresh mint leaves, or a light dusting of powdered sugar to elevate the visual appeal and add subtle complexity.
• Adjust the amount of lemon curd or use a less sweet version to balance the dessert's overall sweetness according to personal preference.

Stylish Serving for Lemon Tiramisu

• Elegant Dessert Centerpiece: Position the lemon tiramisu as the star of your dining table, garnished with fresh lemon slices and delicate mint leaves for a stunning visual presentation.
• Brunch Companion: Serve chilled alongside a light mimosa or fresh-squeezed orange juice for a refreshing weekend morning treat that impresses guests with its zesty flavor.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Pair with lavender shortbread cookies or classic Earl Grey tea to create a sophisticated dessert experience that balances the lemon's bright notes with subtle complementary flavors.
• Summer Party Showstopper: Cut into neat squares and plate individually with a small dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of lemon zest for an effortless yet elegant dessert that's perfect for outdoor gatherings.

Chilling Instructions After Serving

• Smart Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate this delightful lemon tiramisu for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set perfectly. Overnight chilling yields even more incredible taste results.
• Freezing Potential: This dessert can be carefully frozen for up to 2 weeks when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and sealed in an airtight container. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor preservation.
• Serving Freshness Window: Enjoy your lemon tiramisu within 3-4 days when stored in the refrigerator. Keep covered with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Container Wisdom: Select a glass or ceramic dish with a tight-fitting lid for optimal storage. These materials help maintain the dessert's delicate structure and prevent unwanted flavor contamination from other foods.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time:

Cook Time:

Total Time:

Calories: 482 kcal

Servings: 9

Lemon Tiramisu Components

• Ladyfingers: Light, airy cookies that create the classic tiramisu texture and absorb the zesty syrup beautifully.
• Lemon Syrup: Bright, tangy liquid that infuses the ladyfingers with refreshing citrus flavor and moisture.

• Mascarpone Cheese: Rich, smooth Italian cream cheese that provides luxurious, velvety consistency to the dessert.
• Heavy Cream: Whips into delicate peaks, adding airiness and silky texture to the filling.
• Egg Yolks: Creates a luscious, custard-like base that enhances the cream's richness.
• Sugar: Balances the tartness and adds gentle sweetness to the creamy mixture.

• Lemon Curd: Intensely tangy, sunshine-yellow spread that adds vibrant citrus punch and gorgeous color contrast.
• Lemon Zest: Provides concentrated, aromatic citrus essence that elevates the entire dessert's brightness.
• Vanilla Extract: Subtle background note that rounds out and deepens the dessert's complex flavor profile.

Citrusy Lemon Tiramisu

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4.5 from 28 reviews

• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Silky lemon tiramisu offers a zesty twist on classic Italian dessert. Creamy mascarpone, tangy citrus, and delicate ladyfingers create a refreshing summer treat you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 16 oz (454 g) mascarpone cheese
• 25 ladyfinger cookies
• 5 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar (lemon curd)
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar (lemon syrup)
• ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar (mascarpone cream)
• 10 tbsps (141 g) salted butter, room temperature
• 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) fresh lemon juice (lemon curd)
• ½ cup (118 ml) fresh lemon juice (lemon syrup)
• 1 tbsp (6 g) lemon zest (lemon curd)
• 1 tsp (2 g) lemon zest (lemon syrup)
• 1 tbsp (6 g) lemon zest (mascarpone cream)
• ½ cup (118 ml) water
• 1 cup (237 ml) heavy whipping cream, chilled
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract (lemon curd)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract (mascarpone cream)
• Candied lemon slices (optional)

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Instructions

1. Syrup Preparation: Infuse a vibrant citrus essence into cooled liquid, creating a zesty foundation for the dessert’s layered structure.
2. Ladyfinger Base: Immerse cookies in the prepared syrup, ensuring thorough but not waterlogged absorption. Meticulously arrange to form a seamless bottom layer, trimming as needed to cover the entire baking dish surface.
3. Cream Development: Whip together creamy components with bright lemon undertones, generating a silky, luxurious mixture. Artfully spread half the cream over the initial ladyfinger platform, establishing an even, glossy landscape.
4. Lemon Curd Integration: Cascade a tangy lemon curd layer across the cream, enriching the dessert’s citrusy dimension and providing a vibrant flavor contrast.
5. Secondary Layer Construction: Replicate the initial process by dipping remaining ladyfingers in syrup and positioning them with precision to complete the cookie stratum.
6. Cream Finalization: Elegantly distribute the remaining cream over the second ladyfinger layer, smoothing to create a pristine, uniform surface.
7. Decorative Curd Topping: Drizzle the final lemon curd portion across the cream, adding visual intrigue and intensifying the dessert’s citrus profile.
8. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and the tiramisu to achieve an impeccable, velvety consistency.
9. Serving Presentation: Present the chilled tiramisu, revealing a stunning stratified dessert that masterfully balances sweet, tangy, and creamy elements.

Notes

• Soak Strategically: Briefly dip ladyfingers in lemon syrup to prevent sogginess, ensuring they absorb flavor without falling apart.
• Layer with Precision: Trim cookie edges for a seamless base, creating clean and even layers that look professional and elegant.
• Chill for Perfection: Minimum 2-hour refrigeration allows flavors to develop and cream to set, transforming the dessert from good to extraordinary.
• Curd Distribution: Drizzle lemon curd generously between layers and on top to intensify citrus notes and create a visually appealing dessert.

• Category: Desserts
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 482
• Sugar: 56 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg