Tiramisu

I cannot believe I haven't written about one of our beloved desserts! That mistake is to be hastily remedied as a special person's birthday is here. The birthday boy, Frank, my daughter's favorite man as she calls him, shall have his dessert of choice.  And he does love his tiramisu, so I hope this one will please him.

Traditional tiramisu could be made with eggs. Since my kids couldn't eat uncooked eggs when they were young, I've always made this eggless version. Savoiardi or Italian lady's finger biscuits are hard to find. We comb Italian delis in our area to find them. Use a good sponge cake if you cannot find them. Mascarpone and whipped cream filling sits atop espresso dipped savoiardi.A dusting of cocoa finishes the pudding. The chilled overnight, makes it way to Frank. To the victor the spoils!


TIRAMISU
Serves 4-6
GF, VG, EF


1 7oz package Savoiardi or 18-20 Lady's Fingers
2/3 cup strong Espresso Coffee
2 tablespoons Sugar
8 oz soft Mascarpone Cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cup heavy Cream
1/3 cup Sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Cocoa powder



Stir the hot espresso and sugar till sugar melts. Cool slightly.

Whip heavy cream till soft peaks form.

Add 1/3 cup sugar and vanilla extract to cream. Whip to mix for a few minutes. 

Fold softened mascarpone into cream. 

Make the tiramisu in an 8x8 inch dish.

Lay out the savoiardi, the espresso sugar mix and the whipped cream side by side.

Divide the savoiardi in half so you have enough for 2 layers. Each layer should have 9-10 lady's fingers. You might have to cut some so that they fit snugly at the bottom of the dish.

Dip one savoiardi in the espresso for 2 seconds. Flip and so the other side. If you dip them any longer they become too soggy. Place the biscuit in the dish. Repeat till you have bottom layer. 

Spoon half the cream gently so you cover the biscuits.

Repeat the biscuit dipping with the rest of the savoiardi. Lay them over the cream layer gently.

Cover with the remaining half of the cream. Smooth the top.

Dust with cocoa powder. 

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-10 hours or overnight for best results.

Spoon some on to a plate and into your mouth!

NOTES

If you cannot find savoiardi, use good quality sponge cake. Cut it into fingers and use the same way as you would lady's fingers.

Mascarpone cheese might be another problematic item. Use regular cream cheese in its place.

I'm waiting to hear if it passes the mark. I hope I get a 'frank' answer.

Pin It