Classic Tiramisu

Creativity finds many outlets.  For me, writing isn’t the only one.  Here’s one of my favorite recipes!  Hope you enjoy it.

Ingredients:

• 6 egg yolks
• 2 12-ounce packages ladyfingers
• 1 ¼ cup white sugar
• 1∕3 cup coffee flavored liqueur
• 1 ¼ cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ¾ cups heavy whipped cream
• 1 1-ounce square semisweet chocolate

Method:

• Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler, over boiling water.  Reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and whip yolks until thick and lemon colored.
• Add mascarpone to whipped yolks.  Beat until combined.  In a separate bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks.  Gently fold into yolk mixture and set aside.
• Split the lady fingers in half and line the bottom and sides of a large glass bowl or spring-form pan.  Brush with coffee liqueur.  Spoon half of the cream filling over the lady fingers.  Repeat ladyfingers, coffee liqueur and filling layers.  Garnish with cocoa and chocolate curls (to make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of the chocolate bar).
• Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Cook’s Notes:

* Any type of butter cookies with crème can be used as substitutions for ladyfingers.

* Coffee can be used as a substitution for coffee liqueur.  Dip cookies or ladyfingers into cold

coffee before placing them in the bowl.

* Recipe is better aged, giving the liqueur time to be absorbed and the cookies softened.