With creamy mascarpone, zesty lemons and zingy limoncello as the star ingredients, you'll love this summery lemon tiramisu. You'll need 6 serving glasses for this recipe or, if you prefer, you can serve this in one large serving dish.

What you need to know before you start

This recipe involves little hands-on cooking time. Instead, the dish involves preparing a limoncello mixture for the savoiardi biscuits and a lemon cream mixture before layering the ingredients into 6 individual serving glasses. 

You will need some basic equipment like a saucepan, handheld electric beaters, spoons and your favourite serving glasses. If you prefer, you can present this lemon tiramisu in one large dish. 

Why is this the best lemon tiramisu recipe?

Chocolate and coffee is replaced with bright and zingy citrus flavours in this lemon tiramisu. It’s super-easy to pull together and requires little cooking, aside from dissolving the limoncello mixture, whipping the lemon cream, soaking the sponge fingers and arranging all of this into your serving vessel of choice.

There’s no need to turn on the oven and the whole recipe comes together in roughly 30 minutes, making it a great speedy choice when you’re looking for a no-fuss dessert that will still make a lasting impression on your guests. 

What alcohol is best for tiramisu?

In a traditional tiramisu, one of the most common types of alcohol you’ll find is Marsala. Marsala is a fortified wine with a sweet, caramel-like flavour. In this recipe, we use limoncello, which is a popular lemon-flavoured Italian liqueur. It’s often served chilled as an after-dinner aperitif. 

What ingredients you’ll need

Limoncello: This bright Italian liqueur adds a subtle, zesty kick of citrus with a slight alcohol warmth.

Caster sugar: The fine granules of caster sugar provide a fine, smooth sweetness that dissolves easily into the limoncello. 

Lemons: The juice of the lemons is used in the limoncello mixture and the zest is grated over the finished dessert to add a fresh, tangy brightness.

Strawberries: Strawberries are tossed in the limoncello mixture to add a burst of sweetness and a hint of tartness.

Thickened cream: Thickened cream contributes a rich, velvety texture, making the dessert indulgently smooth and creamy.

Pure icing sugar: Icing sugar dissolves easily into the cream layers for a delicate, silky sweet finish.

Mascarpone: Mascarpone provides a creamy, slightly tangy base for the lemon cream. 

Lemon curd: Ready-made lemon curd is used in the lemon cream and dolloped throughout the tiramisu. It intensifies the lemon flavour with a smooth, velvety richness and adds a luxurious depth of citrus.

Savoiardi (ladyfinger) biscuits: These sponge fingers soak up the lemony flavours and provide structure to the dessert.

White chocolate: The finished dessert is decorated with shards of white chocolate to add a subtle sweetness and creamy richness.

What is the correct order to layer a tiramisu?

This easy lemon tiramisu recipe consists of three different layers. Begin by arranging the limoncello-soaked sponge fingers into a serving glass, top with the lemon cream and dollop with the store-bought lemon curd. Repeat this process, finishing with the lemon cream, before adding the sliced strawberries, fresh lemon zest and grated white chocolate. 

How to store leftover lemon tiramisu

If you have any uneaten tiramisu, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge. It will stay good to eat for at least 2-3 days, however, you may notice the sponge layers will begin to soften and disintegrate over time. 

How to serve lemon tiramisu

These mini lemon tiramisus are best served in individual glasses, topped with fresh strawberry slices, a grating of lemon zest and a sprinkle of white chocolate. Keep them chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to serve before bringing them out with serving spoons. 

Drink pairings with lemon tiramisu

Choose drinks that complement the fresh and tangy notes of the lemon tiramisu. Our favourites include bubbly prosecco, a citrussy chardonnay or a non-alcoholic lemonade. To really up the lemon flavour, you can serve the dessert with a side of chilled limoncello. 

If you love our lemon tiramisu recipe, try this 

For more zesty recipes that use lemon, try these sweet and savoury recipes:

• Lemon tart with preserved lemon cream
• Chicken and lemon tagine
• Lemon and mascarpone cheesecake