A home-baked tiramisu is a popular Italian dessert made with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfinger cookies, creamy mascarpone cheese, and dusted with cocoa powder. "Tiramisu" literally translates to "pick me up" in Italian, and this delectable dessert is known for its rich and indulgent flavors.
Here's a basic recipe for making a traditional home-baked tiramisu:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240ml) strong brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 8 ounces (227g) mascarpone cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- About 24-30 ladyfinger cookies (savoiardi)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
Instructions:
Prepare the coffee: Brew a cup of strong coffee and let it cool to room temperature. You can add a little sugar to the coffee if you prefer it slightly sweetened.
Make the mascarpone cream: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes pale and creamy.
Add the mascarpone: Gently fold in the mascarpone cheese and vanilla extract into the egg yolk mixture until well combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a smooth texture.
Whip the cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Then, fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture, creating a light and fluffy cream.
Assemble the tiramisu: Dip the ladyfinger cookies, one at a time, into the cooled coffee, making sure not to soak them entirely. Place a layer of soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of a rectangular or square baking dish.
Add the cream: Spread half of the mascarpone cream over the layer of ladyfingers, smoothing it out evenly.
Repeat: Create another layer of soaked ladyfingers on top of the cream, followed by the remaining mascarpone cream.
Chill and set: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate the tiramisu for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set.
Dust with cocoa powder: Before serving, dust the top of the tiramisu with unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine sieve.
Tiramisu is a delightful dessert that strikes a perfect balance between the bitterness of coffee, the sweetness of the mascarpone cream, and the soft texture of the ladyfingers. It's best served chilled and can be garnished with chocolate shavings or coffee beans for an extra touch of elegance. Enjoy!