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Tiramisu

Servings: Makes 10-12 slices
Comments:
Tiramisu

Definition: [tih-ruh-mee-SOO; tih-ruh-MEE-soo] The translation for tiramisu is "carry me up," and many who taste this ethereal dessert assume the unspoken continuation must surely be "to heaven." Tiramisu is a light composition of sponge cake or ladyfingers dipped in a coffee-marsala mixture, then layered with mascarpone (an ultrarich Italian cream cheese) and topped with cocoa powder or grated chocolate. The dessert is refrigerated for several hours before serving to allow the flavors to intermingle. Although tiramisu is sometimes referred to as an Italian trifle, its texture is much lighter than that dessert.

Copyright (c) 1995 by Barron's Educational Series, from The New Food Lover's Companion


Ingredients:
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
3 cups whipping cream
2 (8 oz.) containers mascarpone cheese (16 oz. total)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 1/2 pkg. ladyfingers
1/3 cup cold strong coffee or espresso
1/3 cup marsala wine, brandy, amaretto or white rum
Cocoa powder, or grated chocolate


Instructions:
In a large bowl, lightly beat the mascarpone to smooth it out. Add the confectioners' sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt and using an electric beater, beat this mixture until it is smooth and thickened like fluffy cream.

Using a 9 x 13-inch pan, or a medium size glass oval baking dish, line the bottom with ladyfingers, flat side down.

Combine the cold, strong coffee (use 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder to 1/3 cup of cold water) and the liquor in a cup. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush half of the coffee/liquor mixture over the ladyfingers. Cover with half of the mascarpone mixture. Sprinkle liberally with powdered cocoa. Add another layer of ladyfingers, and repeat as above. Sprinkle top liberally with the cocoa.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 24 hours. This is important, as it blends the flavors and the ladyfingers soak up the liquid. A perfect tiramisu should slice easily, but can be a little soft and perhaps even a little runny when served, rather than holding its shape perfectly.

Makes 10-12 slices.


Source: DianasDesserts.com
Date: January 17, 2002