Tiramisu

Hello there! Sorry I've been away so long! Happy New Year! :-)

Here I am, starting the New Year off with one of my favorite desserts...Tiramisu. Until about a year ago, I didn't know that making Tiramisu was a breeze. Yes, it is! Of course you need the special ingredients for it but it is available in every grocery store. You will also need a hand mixer. But trust me, if you don't own one, it's well worth the investment. And it is not too expensive either.

So here goes! Do try it out and let me know how it went!

Ingredients

• 6 egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 pound mascarpone cheese (you usually get it in 8 oz containers. Get 2)
• 1 1/2 cups strong espresso, cooled (you can use your regular coffee. Make it strong)
• 2 teaspoons dark rum (if you don't have Rum, you can skip this)
• 24 packaged ladyfingers
• 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate shavings, for garnish
• 2 tablespoons Cocoa powder or any hot chocolate mix of your choice (optional)

Method

• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer with whisk attachment, beat egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale, about 5 minutes. The mixture should be light yellow in color. Use low speed in your mixer, if not the egg will splatter everywhere.
• Add mascarpone cheese and beat until smooth. Keep the Mascarpone cheese outside for 30 minutes to bring it to room temperature. It makes it easier to mix. When completely mixed, the mixture should be a li'l thick. If not mix it again for a couple of minutes.
• Add 1 tablespoon of espresso and mix until thoroughly combined.
• In a small shallow dish, add remaining espresso and rum. Dip each ladyfinger into espresso for only 5 seconds. Letting the ladyfingers soak too long will cause them to fall apart.
• Place the soaked ladyfinger on the bottom of a 13 by 9 inch baking dish, breaking them in half if necessary in order to fit the bottom.
• Spread 1/2 of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the ladyfingers.
• Sprinkle half of the cocoa powder on top.
• Arrange another layer of soaked ladyfingers and top with remaining mascarpone mixture.
• Sprinkle the remaining cocoa powder on top.
• Cover tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours.
• Before serving, sprinkle with chocolate shavings.