Tiramisu 

IG: @mangia.con.elena

Tiramisu is a traditional Italian cake that means "pick me up" and it does just that as ingredients of sugar, sweet mascarpone, egg whites, liquor and strong espresso will be sure to give you a jolt.

 There are many legends around the history of tiramisu. Some say it was invented in Treviso in the first half of the 1800s by a "maitresse" of a "house of pleasure"  who wanted a dessert to "reinvigorate" the patrons before they returned to their wives. However this decadent dessert came to be does not really matter to me, I am just glad it was created! 

My oldest brother is the King of Tiramisu. I don't typically make it because whenever there is a special occasion it is presumed that he will be bringing this dessert. It is delicious and why bother learning how to make it when he does it so perfectly? 

My first time making it was for a dessert collaboration on Instagram as I wanted to really give it a go. When I decided to make it I went directly to the source to ask him for his guidance and recipe. After some convincing (Italians can be very protective of their recipes😉), I was finally able to strong arm the recipe from him and it was well worth the battle.

Recently,  he sent me a picture of a tiramisu that he had made for a dinner party(see above)and I realized that I had forgotten to share his recipe on my blog. 

As well, my daughter had asked that we make a tiramisu for her birthday. That worked out great because I now have pictures to share and working in the kitchen with my children passing down recipes makes me incredibly happy. 

I hope you give this a try because everybody needs a pick me up right? Remember to let your taste buds be your guide👍

A Mangia,

Elena 💚

                                            

Ingredients

• 1  tub of mascarpone cheese (475 grams)
• 3 eggs
• 6 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 package of savoiardi cookies (lady fingers but look for the ones that say "Savoiardi")
• about 3 cups of cooled espresso coffee 
• 1-2 shots of  liquor (optional)amaretto,  grand marnier, sambuca, cointreau, marsala are a few that would go well.
• cocoa for sprinkling and grated chocolate for topping.

Directions

1. Separate egg yolks from egg whites. Place them in 2 medium sized bowls.
2. Using a hand mixer or kitchen aid with whisk attachment, beat the egg whites until fluffy and put aside.
3. Add sugar to the egg yolks and beat that until creamy and well blended. 
4. Add the mascarpone cheese to the egg yolk mixture and continue to mix until smooth
5. Gently fold in the egg whites.
6. Add the liquor to the coffee.
7.  Prepare your assembly station by having a 9x13 glass baking pan, the coffee in a bowl, the mascarpone filling and the cocoa in a sifter for sprinkling.
8. Start by dipping the sugared side of the cookie into the coffee until it is submersed. Do not let it sit for long in the coffee. Cover bottom of pan with closely fitted cookies.
9. Once layer is complete, spread the mascarpone mixture on top. You can choose to sprinkle with cocoa between the layers if you wish or leave as is.
10. Repeat layers until complete.
11. Sprinkle with cocoa and grated chocolate on top.
12. Keep in refrigerator 4-6 hours before serving or leave overnight to allow it to set completely.

                 

A Mangia,

Elena💚