Tiramisu price guide – how much does it cost?

What you pay for a store‑bought slice

Most cafés in the UK charge between £3 and £5 for a standard 150‑gram slice. High‑end patisseries can push the price to £6‑£8, especially if they use premium mascarpone or decorative toppings. The main cost drivers are labor, rent, and the markup on ingredients.

Here’s a rough breakdown of a typical café slice:

Mascarpone (100 g) – £0.80

Eggs (1 large) – £0.20

Sugar (15 g) – £0.05

Ladyfingers (3 pieces) – £0.30

Espresso or coffee – £0.10

Chocolate shaving – £0.10

Overhead (rent, staff, utilities) – £1.00‑£2.00

When you add everything up, the ingredient cost is about £1.55. The rest of the price covers the café’s operating costs and profit margin. If you’re watching your wallet, that extra £1.50‑£3.50 per slice can add up fast.

Saving money with a DIY tiramisu

Making tiramisu at home is surprisingly cheap. A basic recipe for 8 servings (about 8 slices) costs roughly £6‑£7, which works out to £0.75‑£0.90 per slice. The biggest savings come from buying ingredients in bulk and skipping the café’s overhead.

Here’s a simple cost list for a home‑made batch:

Mascarpone (500 g) – £2.00

Eggs (3 large) – £0.60

Sugar (100 g) – £0.10

Ladyfingers (200 g) – £1.00

Strong coffee (200 ml) – £0.20

Cocoa powder for dusting – £0.10

Optional liqueur (30 ml) – £0.30

Tips to bring the cost down even further:

Buy mascarpone in a larger tub when it’s on sale and freeze portions for later.

Use pantry staples like coffee and cocoa you already have.

Skip the liqueur or replace it with a splash of cheap rum for flavor.

Make your own ladyfingers if you enjoy baking – the recipe uses just flour, eggs, sugar, and butter and can cut the cost by half.

Another money‑saving trick is to portion the tiramisu into jars or small containers. You’ll use less garnish, and the portion size stays consistent – perfect for budgeting.

In short, buying a slice in a café can cost you £3‑£8, while making the same size at home drops the price to under £1. If you love tiramisu, the DIY route gives you more control over flavor and cost.

Now that you know the numbers, decide what works best for you. Whether you treat yourself to a café slice on a special occasion or whip up a batch for the whole family, you can enjoy tiramisu without breaking the bank.

Jun 10, 2025 Clementine Firth

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