Tiramisu: An Easy Recipe
Unmissable dessert in Italian gastronomy, tiramisu combines the flavors of coffee and bitter cocoa with a light cream made from mascarpone. This easy-to-make cake is prepared the day before and enjoyed chilled. Here's an easy recipe to prepare this Italian dessert in the traditional way.
Ingredients
Here are the necessary ingredients to prepare a tiramisu for 6 people:
3 eggs
100g of sugar
250g of mascarpone
1 to 2 tablespoons of marsala or amber rum
about twenty ladyfinger biscuits
6 cups of strong cooled coffee
unsweetened cocoa powder
a pinch of salt.
Preparation of the cream
In the traditional tiramisu recipe, a mascarpone cream is prepared that should be as fluffy as possible.
1- Separate the egg whites from the yolks.
2- Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar, preferably using an electric mixer, until the mixture becomes pale and doubles in volume.
3- Incorporate the mascarpone and the alcohol of your choice (marsala or rum).
4- Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and beat them until stiff peaks form.
5- Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the previous mixture, using a flexible spatula. The mascarpone cream should be smooth and very airy, as shown in the photo below.
Assembly of the tiramisu
I recommend preparing the tiramisu in a rectangular mold, such as a gratin dish, and serving it with a spoon. If you need to transport this cake, you can even prepare it in a loaf pan.
1- Dip the ladyfingers in cold coffee.
2- Line the bottom of the mold with a layer of coffee-soaked ladyfingers.
3- Cover the layer of ladyfingers with a generous layer of mascarpone cream. Depending on the depth and size of the mold used, you can assemble the cake in one or two layers.
4- If your mold allows, add a second layer of coffee-soaked ladyfingers on top of the cream and finish with another layer of cream.
5- Sprinkle the top of the tiramisu evenly with unsweetened cocoa powder, sifting the cocoa through a sieve to avoid lumps.
Tasting tips
The tiramisu should be placed in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
I advise you to prepare it the day before because this Italian dessert is best enjoyed chilled and it is even better the next day.
Origin and etymology of tiramisu
In Italian, the word "tiramisu" literally means "pull me up", because this dessert is considered a pick-me-up. It is traditionally prepared for pregnant women, but that doesn't stop all food lovers from enjoying it.
The exact origin of this recipe is uncertain, as no less than four regions of Italy (Piedmont, Lombardy, Friuli, and Tuscany) claim to be the birthplace of this delicious dessert.
