Ah, tiramisu: that creamy, layered Italian dessert thats basically the very definition of indulgence. We love this smooth, cold confection of ladyfinger cookies, mascarpone cheese, and espresso — enough to take on the formidable, or at least time-consuming, task of making it at home. While whipping up tiramisu isnt complicated, its still not as quick or easy as busting out a basic pan of brownies: “This is definitely a special-occasion dessert,” registered dietician Kristin Carli told Mashed when she shared her recipe.
Aside from being prepared to take on many separate steps — from dipping cookies in coffee to cooking custard over a double boiler to whipping cream — theres another thing you should know before embarking on an afternoon of tiramisu-making. For the creamiest, most balanced result, you must refrigerate the dessert for several hours before digging in, according to Adam and Joanne Gallagher of the popular recipe blog Inspired Taste. The couple writes: “It is so important that you wait at least six hours before serving. In fact, it can be kept refrigerated one to two days and still be delicious.” Clearly, tiramisu isnt an instant gratification type of dessert. So why is it so imperative that tiramisu languish in the fridge for so long? Lets find out.
For the best results, tiramisu needs at least six hours in the fridge before serving. This time allows the ladyfingers to soak flavor and moisture from the coffee, wine, and filling. You can make tiramisu 1 to 2 days in advance. Just keep it refrigerated until you are ready to serve.
Good things come to those who wait
You know how some dishes, such as soups and stews, seem to taste even better the next day or even days after theyve been cooked? Thats due to a number of reasons — including chemical reactions in the food — but is often chalked up to something along the lines of a “marrying of flavors,” according to Serious Eats. When preparing certain dishes, while they taste great separately, they really shine when, over the course of a few days spent in the fridge, they start to blend together and complement each other. As Dr. Kantha Shelke, a spokesperson for the Institute of Food Technologists, told Forbes, “as the dish cools and sits over time, the different flavor and aroma compounds mingle together and develop more seasoned notes. The individual flavors are still there, but much less pronounced and the dish is therefore more mellow or rounded in flavor.”
Well, something similar is at work when your lovingly constructed tiramisu is chilling out in the fridge. Because the dessert consists of layers of different ingredients, each with different flavors — the bland sweetness of the ladyfingers, the bitterness of the espresso, the vanilla notes of the mascarpone custard — its important to let those flavors mix and mingle before diving in with your fork. As Adam and Joanne Gallagher explain at Inspired Taste, youve gotta “allow the ladyfingers to soak up all the flavors of the creamy filling, coffee, and [Marsala] wine.”
Tiramisu
FAQ
How long should tiramisu sit before serving?
Can you eat tiramisu right away?
Does tiramisu need to set overnight?
Should tiramisu be made the day before?
How long should you wait to eat Tiramisu?
If you have the ability to stay strong and wait even longer, your tiramisu will taste even better since the flavors will be successfully blended together: That rich coffee flavor will infuse every single bite that touches your lips. For the best-tasting tiramisu, try and wait a full day or 24 hours before serving.
Do you need to refrigerate Tiramisu before serving?
For the best results, tiramisu needs at least six hours in the fridge before serving. This time allows the ladyfingers to soak flavor and moisture from the coffee, wine, and filling. You can make tiramisu 1 to 2 days in advance. Just keep it refrigerated until you are ready to serve.
How long does Tiramisu last?
The answer to this question depends on whether you make it at home or buy it pre-made. If made at home, tiramisu can last for up to three days in an airtight container if appropriately stored in the refrigerator; however, if purchased from a store, follow the safety guidelines and eat within two hours of purchase.
How far in advance can you make Tiramisu?
You can make tiramisu 1 to 2 days in advance. Just keep it refrigerated until you are ready to serve. As for freezing tiramisu, we have never tried it ourselves, but we think you should be just fine!