Tiramisu

This dessert is one of my all-time favorites. My friend told me this recipe makes Tiramisu that is better than any Tiramisu she tasted while visiting Italy! The recipe written here is very similar to the Joy of Baking.com Tiramisu recipe, the only difference is I added whipping cream as an additional layer to the cake and reduced the amount of rum in the coffee mixture since I found the rum taste overpowering. 

Ingredients:

Cream Filling:

2 cups (480 ml) milk, divided

3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar, divided

1/4 cup (35 grams) all purpose flour

6 large egg yolks

1/4 cup (60 ml) Marsala or dark rum

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

8 ounces (1 cup) (227 grams) mascarpone cheese, room temperature

Whipping cream 

I use a small cartoon.

Ladyfingers:

28-32 crisp ladyfingers

Coffee Soaking Syrup:

1 1/2 cups (360 ml) very strong brewed coffee or espresso

1/3 cup (65 grams) granulated white sugar

1/8 cup (60 ml) dark rum or Marsala

Topping:

Cocoa Powder for Garnishing 
1 ounce (30 grams) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, grated or chopped. * For an even nicer look, run a vegetable peeler down the edge of chocolate bar. 

Fresh Raspberries (optional)

Instructions: 

Cream Topping: Put 1 3/4 cups (420 ml) milk and 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar in a medium sized saucepan. Place over medium heat, and bring this mixture just to boiling, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, in a heatproof bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk, 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar, flour, and egg yolks. When the milk comes to a boil, gradually whisk it into the egg yolk mixture. Transfer this mixture into a clean large saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil. When it boils, continue to stir for another minute or two or until it thickens. Remove from heat and strain into a large bowl. (This will remove any lumps that may have formed.) Whisk in the Marsala (or rum), vanilla extract, and butter. Immediately cover the surface of the custard with plastic wrap to prevent a crust from forming. Refrigerate until thick and cold, at least two hours.

Once the custard has cooled sufficiently, remove from the refrigerator. In a separate bowl, with a wooden spoon, beat the mascarpone cheese until it is soft and smooth. Gently fold, or whisk, the cold custard into the mascarpone until smooth.

Coffee Soaking Syrup: In a large shallow bowl combine the coffee (espresso), sugar, and Marsala (rum). Taste and add more sugar if you like.

To Assemble: Line a 9 x 5 x 3 inch (23 x 13 x 8 cm) loaf pan with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap extends over the sides of the loaf pan. 

Have ready the ladyfingers, coffee mixture, and cream filling.

Working with one ladyfinger at a time, dip 7-8 ladyfingers in the coffee mixture and place them, side by side, in a single layer onto the bottom of the loaf pan. Spoon 1/3 of the cream filling over the ladyfingers, making sure they are completely covered. Then add a layer of whipping cream. Repeat with another layer of ladyfingers by dipping another 7-8 ladyfingers in the coffee mixture and placing them on top of the cream. Add another layer of whipping cream if you like. Again, cover the ladyfingers with cream and repeat with another layer of ladyfingers, cream, and ladyfingers. Cover the Tiramisu with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. 

To Serve: Remove the plastic wrap from the top of the tiramisu. Gently invert the Tiramisu from the loaf pan onto your serving plate and remove the plastic wrap. Sift cocoa powder and/or grated chocolate over the top of the Tiramisu and decorate with fresh raspberries.

Makes 8 - 10 servings. Preparation time 30 minutes.