I made Tiramisu tonight, because I need it for a birthday lunch on the weekend and it is better if it sits in the fridge for a day! It is a very rich, sweet & delicious desert that is a favourite in Italy. Tiramisu means "pick me up." A little goes a long way with this desert, which is loaded with calories!!
Ingredients:
1 cup freshly brewed, very strong espresso coffee
3 tbsps brandy or rum
2 tbsps plus 1/2 cup sugar
24 crisp Italian ladyfingers (soviardi)
1/2 cup milk
1 container (500 grams or 16 to 17 oz) mascarpone cheese
3/4 cup heavy or whipping cream
unsweetened cocoa
rasberries, strawberries or blackberries for garnish
1. In bowl stir espresso, brandy and 2 tbsps of the sugar until sugar has dissolved; cool to room temperature. Dip both sides of 12 of the lady fingers into coffee mixture, one at a time, to soak completely (you only need a few seconds on each side as they soak up the coffee very quickly); arrange in a single layer in a 8 inch square corningware pot or baking dish. Sprinkle about a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa, evenly, over the ladyfingers.
2. In large bowl, stir milk and remaining 1/2 cup sugar until sugar has dissolved. Beat in mascarpone until blended.
3. In small bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat cream until soft peaks form (chilling the bowl and the beaters first helps this process along). With rubber spatula, gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture until blended. Spread half of the mixture over the ladyfingers in the baking dish. Sprinkle another tsp of cocoa evenly over the cheese mixture.
4. Dip remaining 12 ladyfingers into coffee mixture and arrange on top of mascarpone mixture in baking dish. Sprinkle another tsp of cocoa over the ladyfingers. Spread with remaining mascarpone mixture & sprinkle top liberally with cocoa. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. To serve, cut into squares and spoon into goblets or desert dishes. Garnish with your choice of berries.
