Writing New Year’s resolutions inspires me and helps me grow. If I don’t accomplish one, I don’t get down on myself. I just add it to next year’s list. This new year I wanted to inspire you to try one new dessert a month. I call it our “New Year New Dessert” challenge.
Each month I will post a new dessert recipe. I will be posting a recipe that I feel may be uncommon, yet achievable for most, ingredients easily available and deliciosity.
And the first recipe is…
The very first recipe that popped into my head was Tiramisu. Tiramisu sounded like a great Christmas dessert, so I gave it a shot and was quite surprised by how authentic it was. I liked this recipe because:
- Trying something “exotic” like this challenge my rural baking
- The recipe looked fun
- I wanted to expand my culinary repertoire
I stumbled upon this recipe will searching the internet. This recipe will make a great kick-off recipe for our “New Year New Dessert” challenge. Chef Dennis instills confidence, grows your culinary vocabulary and covers all the bases with some great “What ifs” within the recipe, as well as tips and tricks. All credit is due Chef Dennis Littley for this wonderfully authentic and delicious dessert recipe.
The Best Tiramisu You Will Ever Make
Author: Chef Dennis Littley
Ingredients
- 6 large egg yolks (approx. 1/2 cup of yolks)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese ( room temperature
- 1 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 7 oz. packages Italian ladyfingers (Savoiardi style)
- 1 cup cold espresso or strong coffee
- 1/2 cup coffee-flavored liqueur optional
- 1 ounce unsweetened cocoa for dusting
Instructions
- Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler, over boiling water using a whisk to mix. Reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. This is your sabayon.
- Remove from the heat and continue to whip yolks until thick and lemon-colored. Allow to cool briefly before mixing in mascarpone.
- Add Mascarpone to whipped yolks, mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer whip cream to stiff peaks. (hand mixer or stand mixer is fine)
- Gently fold the whipped cream in the mascarpone sabayon mixture and set aside. The mascarpone does not have to be at room temperature, but it will help it mix in easier if it is. Take it out of the refrigerator as you gather ingredients to make the recipe.
- Mix the cold espresso with the coffee liquor and dip the ladyfingers into the mixture just long enough to get them wet, do not soak them!
- Arrange the ladyfingers in the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish (or container similarly sized)
- Spoon half the mascarpone cream filling over the ladyfingers.
- Repeat process with another layer of ladyfingers
- Add another layer of tiramisu cream
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Overnight is best.
- Dust with cocoa before serving
Notes
***If you can’t find Mascarpone in your stores. You can make this substitute. It won’t be exactly the same but it will come close.8 ounces full fat cream cheese, 1/4 cup whipping cream and 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, whip until it’s just blended. This will give the equivalent of around 1 1/4 cups mascarpone.
- Have the eggs and mascarpone at room temperature before making this recipe. That will help them mix together more smoothly
- Whipping your cream is also where some people make a mistake. The idea with whipped cream is to do it slowly. Begin whipping the cream on low, increasing the speed over 10 minutes. This makes a whipped cream that will last for days in your fridge without the aid of gelatin.
- Soak the ladyfingers in the coffee mixture briefly. Don’t let them get soggy, it will ruin the dessert.
- Only use Crunchy SAVOIARDI (ITALIAN LADYFINGERS) Cake style ladyfingers will get too soft.
- Allow Tiramisu to set up for at least 6 hours before serving. Overnite is best.
- Have the eggs and mascarpone at room temperature before making this recipe. That will help them mix together more smoothly.
Chef Dennis Tip***If for some reason your Tiramisu doesn’t firm up, don’t throw it away! You can freeze the cream and have an amazing frozen dessert. I have done this when testing new recipes. Use a springform pan and you can slice it. Add fruit or other toppings and you’ve got an amazing dessert.
A few notes from Michele:
- Most of the ladyfingers come with a hard white frosting on top and what looks like cinnamon sugar sprinkled on them- don’t fret over that, just make sure they are crunchy ladyfingers.
- I used the Dutch Droste Cocoa… excellent taste
- They say you “soak” the lady fingers… BE WARNED! The ladyfingers are like sponges and will be soggy in seconds. Lay it in a small container with a little espresso in it, flip and quickly remove. You’ll see what I mean with the first ladyfinger!
- You can make your own espresso at home- it’s just very strong coffee.
You now have your assignment for the “New Year New Dessert” challenge. Go ahead and make yourself a three-ring binder, or at the very least a folder of this year’s twelve “New Year New Dessert” recipes. Get ready to have some fun and expand your dessert repertoire. I can’t wait to hear from you! Contact me with your results at madyandmichele.com.
Michele Bruxvoort is sure to draw you in with her delightful sense of humor and love for living life. She enjoys reading, repurposing, as well as remodeling the family home with her husband. Drawing from her life experience as wife, mom, and follower of Jesus, Michele brings you a very honest and real perspective on life. When you don’t find her writing, you can find her mowing lawns, stocking shelves, taking care of her grandbaby and tackling her latest life adventure.
Wisconsin native and empty-nester, she now makes her home with her husband of 27 years in the South West Prairie plains of Minnesota.
