Easy Limoncello Tiramisu Italian Recipe

This EASY Limoncello Tiramisu recipe is full of zesty lemon flavor. It’s made with a creamy lemon mascarpone filling, lemon curd and Limoncello moistened lady fingers.

This DELICIOUS Italian dessert is perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day Brunch, Christmas Eve Dinner or just about any occasion where Limoncello is favored. it’s perfect for a make ahead dessert because it tastes even better on the third day.

Limoncello Dessert Recipes

Limoncello is not only a wonderful lemon liqueur to sip as a shot on a hot summer’s day but, you can make amazing cocktails such as Limoncello Martini, Limoncello Mojito, and Limoncello Elderflower Champagne Cocktail, and Limoncello Moscow Mules too. 

When it comes to desserts, Limoncello liqueur is a power flavor. It makes tasty lemon glazes and can be added to pound cake and even marinated in pineapple slices.

Long ago, on one of my trips to the Amalfi coast in Italy, I learned that limoncello is an Italian delicacy. Since then, it’s become popular here as well.

This lemon tiramisu is not as heavy as my luscious lemon cheesecake but, just as tasty which makes it the perfect, refreshing spring and summer dessert. Speaking of refreshing, you’d probably like my Frozen Lemonade Pie.

Limoncello Tiramisu is different than classic tiramisu in that it doesn’t contain coffee flavoring plus a few other differences, depending on the recipe. 

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means, if you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission but, the price you pay is the same. 

Lemon Curd

I used a good-quality jarred lemon curd to make this recipe because it makes it much easier and faster. However, you can certainly make your own lemon curd.

Mascarpone Cheese

Mascarpone cheese is similar in texture and taste to cream cheese but, it’s more pricy. Because they’re similar, you can use cream cheese as a more economical substitute.

Limoncello

It’s always best to use a good-quality Limoncello lemon liqueur. I used Pallini brand.

Ladyfinger Cookies

Buy the hard lady finger cookies for this recipe. There are a soft, spongy kind that’s sold too but, it’s more likely to come out mushy as it sits in the refrigerator than with the hard cookies.

Heavy Cream

Use fresh, good-quality heavy whipping cream.  

Fresh Lemons

Use fresh, brightly colored lemons for this recipe. You’ll need TWO lemons for this recipe to be used for grated lemon zest, juice and garnish. The lemon zest is the yellow part of the lemon peel. Use a zester to remove the zest. 

 

Be sure to zest the lemon before cutting it to squeeze out the juice. It’s much easier.

Easy Limoncello Tiramisu Italian Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup lemon curd
• 16 oz mascarpone cheese or cream cheese
• 8 oz whipping cream
• 7 oz lady finger cookies
• 2 lemons (one for garnish)
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 6 tbsp Limoncello liqueur

 

Instructions

*The full, printable recipe is at the bottom of this post.

First, zest one whole lemon and put zest aside.

Then, juice the lemon in which you just zested and set the juice aside in a separate bowl than the zest.

Next, put the mascarpone (16 oz )(or cream cheese) in a large mixing bowl and mix for one minute. Then add the whipping cream and mix it one more minute to make it creamy and fluffy.

Then, add lemon zest (about 1/2 tbsp packed,) lemon juice (1tbsp,) and powdered sugar (1 1/4 cup) to the cheese mixture. Mix until well-combined, scrapping the sides and the bottom of the mixing bowl with a rubber spatula.

Then, arrange half of the lady finger cookies in a single layer in an 8″ x 11″ x 3″ casserole dish as shown.

Next, moisten the lady fingers with 3 tbsp of Limoncello. 

Alternatively, if you prefer the lady fingers to be more wet, add 1/4 cup of simple syrup and one tablespoon of water to the limoncello (6 tbsp) in a shallow bowl and dip the lady fingers. Be careful with dipping them so they don’t get soggy.

The tiramisu will absorb the moisture from the cheese mixture and lemon curd as it sits overnight. 

Then, gently spread half of the mascarpone mixture over top of the moistened lady fingers.

Next, very gently spread the lemon curd over top of the cheese mixture.

Then, add the last layer of lady fingers, again in a single layer.

Next, moisten the lady fingers with the remaining Limoncello (3 tbsp.) 

Next, gently spread the remaining mascarpone mixture on top of the moistened lady fingers. Cover with plastic wrap and put in your refrigerator for 10 hours or overnight.

Last, slice the other lemon and arrange some or all of the slices on top any way you wish. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

This Italian dessert is superb! I gave my friend a piece of this and she texted me saying “OMG!!! The Limoncello Tiramisu was amazing! Thank you!” 

Give this recipe a try. 

You may also like:

Easy Luscious Lemon Cheesecake + VIDEO

Authentic Italian Tiramisu

Best Italian Glazed Lemon Cookies Recipe

Italian Lemon Amaretti Cookies

Frozen Lemonade Pie

See more DESSERTS.

See more ITALIAN RECIPES.

I took this recipe to Weekend Potluck.