Recipe for Tiramisu

A tiramisu recipe is similar to a trifle recipe because it is assembled in layers, and uses similar ingredients. This Italian dessert recipe calls for layers of espresso-marsala-soaked spongecake or ladyfingers combined with buttery-rich marscapone cheese and shavings of chocolate.

For this Milanese tiramisu you will need:

1 cup water

6 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons "instant" espresso coffee

1/4 cup sweet Marsala wine or orange juice

1 cup (8 ounces) mascarpone cheese or other mild cream cheese

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup dark rum or Cognac or orange juice

1 cup heavy cream

8 ounces lady fingers, Italian "Savoiardi" cookies, or sponge cake, or angel food cake cut into pieces about 1/2-inch thick, 2 inches long and 1-inch wide

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (to garnish)

To make the espresso soaking syrup:

Set aside a 13 x 9-inch glass baking pan.

In a small saucepan, bring the water, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, and the instant espresso coffee to a boil.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and cool to room temperature.

When cool, add the Marsala wine and transfer the mixture to a shallow plate.

To make the filling:

In a bowl, blend the mascarpone together with the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar, vanilla and rum and 2 tablespoons of the espresso soaking syrup.

Beat until smooth. Whip the cream until stiff and fold it into the cheese mixture.

To assemble the tiramisu:

Quickly dip the lady fingers or cake pieces (don't saturate them) on both sides into the espresso syrup and make one layer of dipped cake in the baking pan.

Top with half of the mascarpone and whipped cream mix. Dip the remaining cookies in the espresso syrup and create a second layer.

Evenly spread the remaining half of the mascarpone and whipped cream mix over the top. Coverthe baking pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

The Tiramisu can be prepared a day or two ahead.

Right before serving, dust the top of the Tiramisu with unsweetened cocoa powder. Serve cold.

Serves 8 to 10.

Enjoy this recipe for tiramisu! Find more Italian dessert recipes