20110112

Tiramisu

For the best tiramisu:

Ingredients (serves 8)

  • 2 cups strong black coffee
  • 1/2 cup marsala (see note)
  • 3 eggs, separated
  • 1/3 cup caster sugar
  • 250g mascarpone
  • 300ml thickened cream, lightly whipped
  • 1 large packet of sponge fingers (savoiardi)
  • cocoa, for dusting

Method

  1. Pour coffee and marsala into a shallow dish. Set aside.

  2. Beat egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl with electric beaters until pale and thick. Add the mascarpone and whipped cream, mixing gently until just combined.

  3. Beat eggwhites in a medium bowl with electric beaters until soft peaks form. Using a large metal spoon, gently fold eggwhites into the mascarpone mixture.

  4. Dip enough biscuits into the coffee mixture to cover the base of a 19cm square ceramic dish. Cover the biscuits with one-third of the mascarpone mixture. Repeat layers 2 times, ending with the cream. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Dust generously with cocoa and serve.

  5. Variation: Marsala can be replaced with orange juice if preferred.