Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Tiramisù, the classic layered Italian dessert consisting of layers of espresso-soaked cookies swaddled in mascarpone cream, is overdue for a glow up.
When we were developing a multicourse tasting menu, we wanted to end the night on a sweet, caffeinated note, so tiramisù was a no-brainer. But we also wanted something that would be visually striking, unfamiliar at first glance, yet wholly recognizable as soon as our guests sunk a spoon through the layers. So, what could we do? Easy: get out the paint gun.
In this video, chef Nicholas Gavin walks you through our process for making individual servings of tiramisù, set in beautifully plump molds that look like little pillows. By fortifying the mascarpone cream with stabilizers—gelatin for the zabaglione base, xanthan gum in the whipped cream—we were able to freeze the molded treats and spray warm melted chocolate all over their exteriors; the stabilizers guarantee the whipped mascarpone is as creamy and light once thawed as it is when it’s freshly made. When the warm chocolate hits the frozen cream, it immediately solidifies into wee fluffy pebbles, making it look just like the even dusting of cocoa powder used as a garnish for classic tiramisù preparations.
Oh, and if you watch the video and think, “Yeah, it looks great, but I ain’t doing all of that,” don’t worry: Head to our site for our Quick and Easy Tiramisù. It takes all of 30 minutes to make, no paint gun required!
Quick and Easy Tiramisù: chefsteps.com/activities/quick-and-easy-tiramisu
Ultimate Tiramisù: chefsteps.com/activities/ultimate-tiramisu
Ingredients:
Buy ladyfingers: amazon.com/Forno-Bonomi-Ladyfingers-200g-Ounce/dp/B002MZ6DX4?tag=chefsteps02-20
Buy xanthan gum: amazon.com/Xanthan-Friendly-Thickener-Cooking-Ounces/dp/B09MR6P46W?tag=chefsteps02-20
Equipment:
Buy a Control Freak™ Home: breville.com/us/en/products/immersion-blenders/bsb510.html?sku=BSB510XL
Buy a Breville Joule® Oven Air Fryer Pro: breville.oie8.net/21W1WG
Buy a pillow-shaped silicone mold: jbprince.com/products/pillow-80-silicone-mold-with-cutter-8-forms
Buy a paint gun: amazon.com/Cordless-Battery-Milwaukee-Painting-Included/dp/B0DGWZJL9B?tag=chefsteps02-20&th=1
[Time Codes]
0:00 - How to make fine-fining tiramisù
0:49 - How to make zabaglione
3:28 - How to finish the mascarpone cream
6:16 - How to make the tuile
10:38 - How to make the coffee syrup
11:39 - How to trim the ladyfingers
12:58 - How to assemble, freeze, and unmold tiramisù
15:46 - How to make the chocolate shell
22:01 - Taste the tiramisù!
Follow us:
instagram.com/chefsteps
facebook.com/Chefsteps
ChefSteps 101: Through science, entertainment, and industry experience, we strive to help every home cook reach their full potential. With more than 1,000 recipes developed in our kitchen, there’s something for everyone. To find out more, visit our website: chefsteps.com
Tiramisù, the classic layered Italian dessert consisting of layers of espresso-soaked cookies swaddled in mascarpone cream, is overdue for a glow up.
When we were developing a multicourse tasting menu, we wanted to end the night on a sweet, caffeinated note, so tiramisù was a no-brainer. But we also wanted something that would be visually striking, unfamiliar at first glance, yet wholly recognizable as soon as our guests sunk a spoon through the layers. So, what could we do? Easy: get out the paint gun.
In this video, chef Nicholas Gavin walks you through our process for making individual servings of tiramisù, set in beautifully plump molds that look like little pillows. By fortifying the mascarpone cream with stabilizers—gelatin for the zabaglione base, xanthan gum in the whipped cream—we were able to freeze the molded treats and spray warm melted chocolate all over their exteriors; the stabilizers guarantee the whipped mascarpone is as creamy and light once thawed as it is when it’s freshly made. When the warm chocolate hits the frozen cream, it immediately solidifies into wee fluffy pebbles, making it look just like the even dusting of cocoa powder used as a garnish for classic tiramisù preparations.
Oh, and if you watch the video and think, “Yeah, it looks great, but I ain’t doing all of that,” don’t worry: Head to our site for our Quick and Easy Tiramisù. It takes all of 30 minutes to make, no paint gun required!
Quick and Easy Tiramisù: chefsteps.com/activities/quick-and-easy-tiramisu
Ultimate Tiramisù: chefsteps.com/activities/ultimate-tiramisu
Ingredients:
Buy ladyfingers: amazon.com/Forno-Bonomi-Ladyfingers-200g-Ounce/dp/B002MZ6DX4?tag=chefsteps02-20
Buy xanthan gum: amazon.com/Xanthan-Friendly-Thickener-Cooking-Ounces/dp/B09MR6P46W?tag=chefsteps02-20
Equipment:
Buy a Control Freak™ Home: breville.com/us/en/products/immersion-blenders/bsb510.html?sku=BSB510XL
Buy a Breville Joule® Oven Air Fryer Pro: breville.oie8.net/21W1WG
Buy a pillow-shaped silicone mold: jbprince.com/products/pillow-80-silicone-mold-with-cutter-8-forms
Buy a paint gun: amazon.com/Cordless-Battery-Milwaukee-Painting-Included/dp/B0DGWZJL9B?tag=chefsteps02-20&th=1
[Time Codes]
0:00 - How to make fine-fining tiramisù
0:49 - How to make zabaglione
3:28 - How to finish the mascarpone cream
6:16 - How to make the tuile
10:38 - How to make the coffee syrup
11:39 - How to trim the ladyfingers
12:58 - How to assemble, freeze, and unmold tiramisù
15:46 - How to make the chocolate shell
22:01 - Taste the tiramisù!
Follow us:
instagram.com/chefsteps
facebook.com/Chefsteps
ChefSteps 101: Through science, entertainment, and industry experience, we strive to help every home cook reach their full potential. With more than 1,000 recipes developed in our kitchen, there’s something for everyone. To find out more, visit our website: chefsteps.com
