Why it works: Coffee and cocoa powder work together. They rank in the top 6% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 541 recipes. Both carry sotolon, which smells curry, maple. The science ↓
Tiramisù
6–8Ingredients
Directions
Prepare the components
Make espresso coffee, and let it cool a bit.
Separate the egg yolks and the whites of two eggs in two bowls.
Beat sugar into the egg yolks.
Beat the mascarpone into the sweetened yolks.
Add two more egg whites to the other two and whip until they form stiff peaks.
Gently fold egg whites into mascarpone mixture.
Assemble and chill
Quickly dip both sides of the ladyfingers in the espresso.
Layer soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone in a large bowl or pan (start with fingers, finish with mascarpone).
Refrigerate for one hour or two.
Sprinkle unsweetened cocoa powder on top just before serving.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
Counts 5 of 7 ingredients. The other 2 aren't in our nutrition table and add nothing above, so the real totals are higher.
What these numbers assume: 5 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate | 1 oz (28g) semisweet | 155 |
| Mascarpone | 2 tbsp (28g) | 120 |
| Cheese | 1 oz (28g) cheddar | 113 |
| Egg | 1 large egg (50g) | 78 |
| Sugar | 1 tbsp (12.5g) granulated | 49 |
| Coffee | not in our table | 0 |
| Cake | not in our table | 0 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
-
Coffee + cocoa powdertop 6% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together541 recipes
Shared aroma: sotolon (curry, maple).
-
Sugar + cocoa powdertop 14% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together2,920 recipes
Shared aroma: guaiacol (smoky, sweet).
-
Sugar + coffeetop 17% of all pairsSmell alikelowCooked together4,344 recipes
Shared aroma: beta-damascenone (apple, rose).
-
Egg + sugartop 21% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together122,807 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-nonenal (fatty, green).
-
Cheese + coffeetop 24% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together163 recipes
Shared aroma: 2,3-butanedione (buttery, creamy).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Egg whites
- Whipped to stiff peaks, they add airy lightness to the mascarpone cream.
- Egg yolks
- Beaten with sugar, they add richness and a smooth, creamy body to the filling.
- Mascarpone cheese
- Its high fat content gives the filling a thick, rich, and creamy texture.
- Lady fingers
- Absorb espresso and form the soft, cake-like layers between the cream.
- Espresso coffee
- Adds moisture and a bitter aroma that balances the sweet, rich cream.
- White granulated sugar
- Sweetens the yolk and mascarpone mixture and helps stabilize the whipped whites.
The step that matters
Dipping the ladyfingers quickly. Ladyfingers are porous and soak up liquid fast. If they sit in espresso, they turn mushy and release water into the cream, making the layers soggy and loose.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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