Tiramisu

Last week I discovered that it was easy to make homemade mascarpone.  What a discovery it was! 

I never attempted tiramisu before because mascarpone was almost impossible to find and if I ever saw one, it costs an arm, a leg and everything else!  So upon discovering how easy it was to make at home, I jumped at the chance and went right on to make tiramisu.

First of all, I had to make homemade mascarpone...  here is one of many recipes on the internet.

Then, I whipped my homemade mascarpone with cream and sugar.

Of course I used ladyfingers!  (It really is too hot to bake!)

The ladyfingers were dipped in a mixture of (unsweetened) espresso and Bailey's Irish Cream.  Then they were stacked in my mom's old Pyrex loaf pan.

And smothered in the whipped mascarpone and cream mixture...

Cocoa powder was sifted on top... but I forgot to take a picture of the finished cake... by the time I remembered, only a fourth remained...

It was a good thing that I managed to take a picture of the tiramisu cups.  I had a couple of lady fingers left, as well as whipped mascarpone and cream, which I didn't want to waste.  Tiramisu in baking cups (both small and "big") was a great idea!

It really is quite easy to make delicious tiramisu... as long as there's mascarpone!

How to make it...

First, eat the following together until softly whipped (mixture should be thick, with very soft peaks)

1 cup masarpone (store bought or homemade)
2 cups whipping cream
6 tablespoons vanilla sugar, or to taste
2 tablespoons Kahlua, optional

Then, mix the coffee mixture:  Mix 2/3 cup strong coffee or espresso (unsweetened) with 1 tablespoon Irish Cream liqueur. 

Prepare16 to 20 pieces of lady fingers (I used broas from Quezon province) and cocoa powder (I used Callebaut brand).

To assemble:

Spread mascarpone and cream mixture on the bottom of a shallow Pyrex loaf pan.  Dip a piece of lady finger (one at a time) and arrange on top of the mascarpone and cream mixture.  Add another layer of mascarpone and cream, and dipped lady fingers.  Finish with a top layer of mascarpone and cream.  Chill until firm.  (keep in the refrigerator.)

Just before serving, sift cocoa powder on top.

Enjoy!!!