Tiramisu ~ Heaven on a Dessert Plate!

I always wanted to make Tiramisu, but here in Kuwait we rarely get Mascarpone cheese and it is inevitably always highly priced. When I found the recipe for homemade mascarpone cheese on Vera’s blog I really wanted to make the mascarpone and Tiramisu at home, and so began the search for the perfect Tiramisu recipe. And in February when the Daring Bakers Challenge hosted by Deeba and Aparna was announced, I saw the entire blog sphere was filled with Tiramisu recipes. I knew I could trust Deeba’s recipe blindly as I had already tried several of her other recipes earlier and they were all really good. So when my brother visited last week I made Tiramisu for him and we all really liked it. So here is the Tiramisu recipe I tried from Deeba’s place.

Recipe source: Adapted from Deeba's Passionate About Baking blog originally from Carminantonio's Tiramisu from The Washington Post, July 11 2007)
This recipe makes 6 servings

Tiramisu
Ingredients:
For the zabaglione:
2 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons sugar/50gms
¼ cup / 60ml Marsala wine (or port or coffee)
¼ teaspoon / 1.25ml vanilla extract
½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
For the vanilla pastry cream:
¼ cup / 55 gms sugar
1 tablespoon / 8 gms all purpose flour
½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
½ teaspoon / 2.5ml vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk
¾ cup / 175 ml whole milk
For the whipped cream:
1 cup / 235 ml chilled heavy cream (I used dream whip)
¼ cup / 55gms sugar
½ teaspoon / 2.5 ml vanilla extract
To assemble the tiramisu:
2 cups / 470 ml brewed espresso, warmed
1 teaspoon / 5 ml rum extract (optional)
½ cup / 110 gms sugar
⅓ cup / 75 gms mascarpone cheese
36 savoiardi / ladyfinger biscuits (I only used 24 biscuits), I used store bought ones. 2 tablespoons / 30 gms unsweetened cocoa powder

Method:
For the zabaglione :

• Heat water in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, place a pot with about an inch of water in it on the stove. Place a heat-proof bowl in the pot making sure the bottom does not touch the water.
• In a large mixing bowl (or stainless steel mixing bowl), mix together the egg yolks, sugar, the Marsala (or espresso/ coffee), vanilla extract and lemon zest. Whisk together until the yolks are fully blended and the mixture looks smooth.
• Transfer the mixture to the top of a double boiler or place your bowl over the pan/ pot with simmering water. Cook the egg mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 8 minutes or until it resembles thick custard. It may bubble a bit as it reaches that consistency.
• Let cool to room temperature and transfer the zabaglione to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, until thoroughly chilled.

For the pastry cream:

• Mix together the sugar, flour, lemon zest and vanilla extract in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. To this add the egg yolk and half the milk. Whisk until smooth.
• Now place the saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from curdling.
• Add the remaining milk a little at a time, still stirring constantly. After about 12 minutes the mixture will be thick, free of lumps and beginning to bubble. (If you have a few lumps, don’t worry. You can push the cream through a fine-mesh strainer).
• Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic film and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, until thoroughly chilled.

For the whipped cream:

• Combine the cream, sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric hand mixer or immersion blender until the mixture holds stiff peaks. Set aside.

To assemble the tiramisu:

• Have ready a rectangular serving dish (about 8" by 8" should do) or one of your choice.
  Mix together the warm espresso, rum extract and sugar in a shallow dish, whisking to mix well. Set aside to cool.
• In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese with a spoon to break down the lumps and make it smooth. This will make it easier to fold. Add the prepared and chilled zabaglione and pastry cream, blending until just combined. Gently fold in the whipped cream. Set this cream mixture aside.

Now to start assembling the Tiramisu

• Workings quickly, dip 12 of the ladyfingers in the sweetened espresso, about 1 second per side. They should be moist but not soggy. Immediately transfer each ladyfinger to the platter, placing them side by side in a single row. You may break a lady finger into two, if necessary, to ensure the base of your dish is completely covered.
• Spoon one-third of the cream mixture on top of the ladyfingers, then use a rubber spatula or spreading knife to cover the top evenly, all the way to the edges.
• Repeat to create 2 more layers, using 12 ladyfingers and the cream mixture for each layer. Clean any spilled cream mixture; cover carefully with plastic wrap and refrigerate the tiramisu overnight.