Tiramisu is perhaps the most famous Italian dessert that has become world-famous. The original Tiramisu recipe has ladyfingers soaked in strong coffee, fitted with a fine, aerated cream of mascarpone with sugar and eggs and it is abundant in cocoa powder.
Tiramisu is a dessert for adults because it contains quite a large amount of caffeine and sometimes alcohol (sweet Marsala liqueur wine or Amaretto almond liqueur) and its name would translate as “pick me up!”. It is a refreshing dessert that actually energizes you.
Tiramisu is an Italian dessert that became famous in the 1960s. Its origins are disputed between the regions of Tuscany, Piedmont, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto and its “birth” moment is unknown. It is speculated that it would have appeared in the 17th century in Siena but it is not very clear. This “dessert freddo” has become very popular because it is very tasty, refreshing and is prepared quickly and without fire (cold).
The quality of the ingredients is very important: the mascarpone should be natural, the coffee should be strong, genuine, aromatic, properly prepared and the eggs should be fresh.
Ingredients:
FOR THE CREAM:
4 large egg yolks
½ cup/100 grams granulated sugar, divided
¾ cup heavy cream
1 cup/227 grams mascarpone (8 ounces)
FOR THE ASSEMBLY:
1 ¾ cups good espresso or very strong coffee
2 tablespoons rum or cognac
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
About 24 ladyfingers (from one 7-ounce/200-gram package)
1 to 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, for shaving (optional)
Preparation:
- Using an electric mixer in a medium bowl, whip together egg yolks and 1/4 cup/50 grams sugar until very pale yellow and about tripled in volume. A slight ribbon should fall from the beaters (or whisk attachment) when lifted from the bowl. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, wiping out the medium bowl used to whip the yolks and set aside.
- In the medium bowl, whip cream and remaining 1/4 cup/50 grams sugar until it creates soft-medium peaks. Add mascarpone and continue to whip until it creates a soft, spreadable mixture with medium peaks. Gently fold the mascarpone mixture into the sweetened egg yolks until combined.
- Combine espresso and rum in a shallow bowl and set aside.
- Using a sifter, dust the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish (an 8×8-inch dish, or a 9-inch round cake pan would also work here) with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder.
- Working one at a time, quickly dip each ladyfinger into the espresso mixture — they are quite porous and will fall apart if left in the liquid too long — and place them rounded side up at the bottom of the baking dish. Repeat, using half the ladyfingers, until you’ve got an even layer, breaking the ladyfingers in half as needed to fill in any obvious gaps (a little space in between is O.K.). Spread half the mascarpone mixture onto the ladyfingers in one even layer. Repeat with remaining espresso-dipped ladyfingers and mascarpone mixture.
- Dust top layer with remaining tablespoon of cocoa powder. Top with shaved or finely grated chocolate, if desired.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (if you can wait 24 hours, all the better) before slicing or scooping to serve.
- Enjoy!