The translation of Tiramisu from Italian means “pick me up”. I guess with the espresso and sugar it does just that. This Tiramisu dessert has been around in Europe for decades but only in the last 20 years or so very popular in the USA. It’s easy to make once you find the mascarpone cheese. Mascarpone is like the Italian version of cream cheese, but make no mistake they are not interchangeable.
Depending on where you live you can find this cheese in supermarkets near the imported cheese area, or specialty food stores.
This dessert can be frozen for future use if you like.
Ingredients;
24 crisp Italian lady fingers(savoiardi)
3/4 cup espresso coffee, cooled
6 eggs, separated
6 TBLS sugar
4 x 4oz packages Mascarpone cheese
2 TBLS brandy(you can omit if you need to)
8oz semi sweet chocolate shavings
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Directions;
In a **2-3 QT serving dish arrange half the lady fingers. Brush them lightly with the espresso.
In a small bowl beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale yellow. Add the mascarpone and brandy stirring gently. Set aside.
In a large bowl beat the egg whites until stiff. Gently fold into the mascarpone mixture. Spread half the mixture on top of the lady fingers in the dish. Sprinkle with half the chocolate shavings and dust with cocoa. Repeat the lady finger layer and brush with espresso. Cover with remaining mascarpone mixture and top with a dusting of cocoa and the remaining chocolate shavings. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving or you can wrap the dish for freezing. Thaw before serving.
**you can also make this in individual small cups with a peel away liner.