The last part of any perfect Italian meal is a heavenly piece of Tiramisu. The popular Italian dessert has food lovers everywhere singing its praises. Some say that it’s best eaten in authentic Italian restaurants. Others will agree that the best Tiramisu is found at home. Tiramisu may taste exquisite and unreal but it is not difficult to make.

As one of the most popular Italian desserts, it is also known as "Tuscan Trifle". The dessert was created in Siena, in the north-western Italian province of Tuscany.

Tiramisu dessert recipe has been adapted into puddings, chocolates, and ice cream flavors. In its pure form as a cake it is made with lady finger biscuits which are dipped into strong coffee like espresso and is then layered with a mixture of egg yolks, Mascarpone, and sugar and is topped with cocoa. Depending on how strong you want the cake, some people even add liquor like Marsala wine in the coffee to give it a more authentic taste.

Mascarpone sounds exotic and rare but in reality it is just a triple-crème cheese. It is basically made from the milk of cows that have been fed special grasses filled with herbs and flowers. This ingredient is what really makes Tiramisu different than all the other kinds of cocoa based cakes.

To make the Tiramisu dessert recipe you will need the following ingredients and its preparation.

Ingredients:

3 medium eggs

4 tablespoons caster sugar

250g Mascarpone cheese

Cold strong black coffee

5 tablespoons of brandy, rum or Marsala wine

Sponge fingers

Unsweetened cocoa powder or grated chocolate, to decorate

Preparation:

1. Separate the eggs in a bowl. Beat the yolks and sugar until thick and creamy. Beat the whites’ separately, until the Mascarpone mixture is stiff.

2. Add the Mascarpone to the yolk mixture, a spoonful at a time. Stir until smooth. Fold in the egg whites.

3. Dissolve the coffee in the liquor in a shallow bowl. Dip half the sponge fingers in the liquid, soaking both sides. Place them at the bottom of a serving dish or bowl.

4. Add a layer of Mascarpone mixture.

5. Dip the remaining sponge fingers in the liquid and arrange on top. Pour in the remaining half of Mascarpone and smooth the surface.

6. Cover and chill for about 2 hours.

7. Sprinkle generously with cocoa powder (using a small sieve), or grated chocolate, before serving.

Rick Missimer

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