We put tiramisu put to the test – which came out on top?

Tiramisu is the perfect after-dinner dessert, with just a mixture of tastes and textures, from cream to egg, coffee and alcohol.

The name itself reveals how perfectly suited it is to the bleak January days – it’s from the Italian tiramisu, meaning ‘pick me up’ or ‘cheer me up’. This reflects its energy-boosting ingredients such as coffee and eggs.

The dish is made with coffee-soaked sponge – often sponge fingers – covered with a cream of egg yolks, sugar, and mascarpone, dusted with cocoa powder.

It originated in north-eastern Italy, and modern versions became a hit in restaurants in the city of Treviso from the late 1960s onwards. Since then, tiramisu has become one of the most internationally recognised Italian desserts, with many variations in domestic and professional cooking.

Earlier versions of the dish are said to be linked to aphrodisiac desserts in Treviso’s brothels or more generally in the region of Friuli, with stories linking it to helping invigorate courtesans or to help nobles with important tasks

Not for those reasons, but for the sheer pleasure of eating it I put tiramisu to the test, with seven two-pot desserts from well-known retailers. Here’s my verdict.

*Sainsbury’s Tiramisu Desserts 2x85g £2.10

Piped in a swirl, with chocolate dusting on top, this looked very appetising. It had a decent amount of sponge, interspersed with Marsala wine cream, which was sooth as it slipped down my throat. This had a mild coffee flavour with a biscuity base which was a nice contrast to the cream.

Pros: good appearance and flavour. Less dessert than some, for more money.

Cons: coffee taste could be stronger. Not as good value as some others.

Mark: 4/5

*Morrisons Tiramisu Desserts 2x100g, £1.75 (at time of purchase in December 2025, it was reduced from its usual price of £2.10)

A smooth top with a chocolate dusting, not as appealing to look at as some others. This had a moderate coffee flavour but its texture was more of a mousse than cream and there was too much of it. There was barely any sponge to soak up the alcohol, which I could not taste at all.

Pros: I could taste the coffee. Good value, especially at the reduced price.

Cons: texture too moussey and couldn’t taste the alcohol.

Mark: 2/5

M&S had a more natural taste

Morrisons was quite moussey

Sainsbury’s tiramisu had a good appearance and flavour

*Marks & Spencer Tiramisu 2x100g, £3.00

Similar to Co-op in appearance, the little chocolate-dusted mounds on top gave it an appetising look. It was quite creamy. The coffee taste was fairly mild and came at the bottom in a layer of sponge which was a bit soggy but didn’t make it any less enjoyable. With the Marsala wine mousse, it has a good balance of flavours. I thought it had a richer, more natural taste than some. Costs more than the others, however.

Pros: creamy with a good balance of flavours.

Cons: price.

Mark: 4/5

*Dolce Mamma Tiramisu 2x90g, £1.80 The Food Warehouse

The top, with tiny mounds similar to M&S and Co-op, had a good dusting of chocolate. This was more of a mousse texture throughout, with barely any sponge. I could not detect coffee but could taste a little alcohol. This was okay, but a bit artificial tasting.

Pros: could taste the alcohol. Good price.

Cons: couldn’t taste the coffee; texture was more of a mousse.

Mark: 2/5

*Co-op Rich & Creamy Tiramisu 2x85g, £2.55

Similar to M&S in appearance with chocolate-dusted mounds on top. This was well layered – I could feel different textures in my mouth – with cream and biscuit, but it felt and looked more like a cheesecake than a tiramisu. It had a mild coffee flavour. The second most expensive.

Pros: good appearance.

Cons: a cheesecake look and feel. More expensive, less weight than some others.

Marks: 3/5

*Waitrose Tiramisu 2x 90g £2.25

Good appearance. This one had well-balanced flavours. The cream was velvety in texture, with a definite hint of wine, and the sponge biscuit was moist with coffee. I enjoyed this as much as the M&S dessert.

Mark: 5/5

Pros: lovely texture and taste

Cons: none, I really enjoyed this one.

Dolce Mamma tasted a little artificial

Coop’s dessert was more like a cheesecake

Waitrose tiramisu had well-balanced flavours

Tesco tiramisu was a little shallow and lopsided

*Tesco Tiramisu 2x85g, £2.10

This one did not look as deep as the others. Its appearance was a little uneven, with a lopsided swirl on top. A good coffee flavour with a slightly eggy cream which was nice, but not much sponge. It was moist throughout and I got a hint of alcohol.

Pros: decent coffee flavour.

Cons: a bit shallow; more money than some others.

Mark: 3/5

*Prices correct at time of purchase, December 2025