Ads

Monday, November 28, 2011

~Tiramisu~

I love getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner. Making a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and also making desserts - which is my favorite part! We made all the common ones - pumpkin pie, apple crisp, ice cream - but we wanted something.......chocolate!

Chocolate mousse was our first thought, then chocolate cake (which we are making as well - my mom likes to make as many options in one meal as possible), and then the perfect idea - Tiramisu!



I made my own mascarpone cheese - its super easy, and inexpensive. The recipe is below.

Tiramisu:
- 2 1/2 cups of strong black coffee, room temperature
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of instant espresso powder
- 6 large egg yolks
- 2/3 cup of sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1 1/2 pounds of mascarpone cheese
- 2/3 cup of heavy cream
- 14 oz. of ladyfingers (42-60, depending on the size)
- 3 1/2 tablespoons of cocoa, preferably Dutch processes




Stir coffee and espresso in a wide bowl until espresso dissolves; set aside




In a bowl of a standing mixer with a whisk attachment, beat yolks until combined. Add sugar and salt and beat on medium high until pale yellow, 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl.
Add mascarpone cheese and beat on medium speed until no lumps remain. Scrape down the bowl.

Transfer mixture to a large bowl and set aside.

In the now empty mixer, beat cream on medium speed until frothy. Increase speed and beat until cream holds stiff peaks.



Using a spatula, fold cream into mascarpone. Set aside

Working on at a time drop ladyfingers into the coffee mixture, roll, remove, and transfer to a 9x13 glass or ceramic baking dish. (entire process should take no longer the 3 seconds per cookie. You do NOT want to soak the cookies)





Arrange cookies in a single later in the baking dish, breaking ladyfingers if needed.





Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the lady finders; use spatula to spread it evenly. Dust 2 tablespoons cocoa over the mascarpone.

Repeat dipping and arranging ladyfingers; spread remaining mascarpone mixture, and dust with 1 1/2 tablespoons of cocoa. Wipe edges, cover with plastic wrap, and chill.





Mascarpone cheese:
You will want to start this the night before you plan on making the tiramisu, since it needs to set 12-18 hours. This recipe makes 1 1/2 lbs of cheese:


- 2 cups of heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon of cream of tarter, or lemon juice

Put the heavy cream in a saucepan, and heat on medium high until it reaches 180 degrees. Add the lemon juice or cream of tarter and simmer for 3-4 more minutes. Remove from heat and let cool down a little.



Meanwhile, line a fine mesh strainer with cheese cloth or coffee filters, and set over a bowl. Pour the cheese into the strainer, cover, and put in the fridge for 12-18 hours, or till it resembles cream cheese.





Enjoy!






1 comment:

  1. looks yummy! I had no idea how to make mascarpone cheese thanks very much. Jmposti4

    ReplyDelete