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When I first learned that this month’s Daring Bakers challenge was Tiramisu, I thought “Woo Hoo!”. At last, an easy one! I’m Italian. I can make tiramisu in my sleep! Then I read something about making our own savoiardi, which are the “lady fingers” that act as the base of the dish. WHA….? And then, there was something about making a zabaglione, a Marsala wine based type of custard, as well as a pastry cream. HUH? This didn’t sound like any kind of tiramisu that I’d ever seen, eaten or even heard of. And, I’ve been intimately acquainted with tiramisu for most of my life. But, I am a good sport, so I went along. However, when I got to the part about making our own homemade mascarpone cheese, I began to sweat (and it was 45 degrees here). Make our own mascarpone?!?! WTF? But, I did it. And, though it took a reallllly long time, it wasn’t hard. And, even though it wasn’t like any tiramisu I ever knew, it still tasted pretty darn good.

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The February 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Aparna of My Diverse Kitchen ^[3] and Deeba of Passionate About Baking ^[4]. They chose Tiramisu as the challenge for the month. Their challenge recipe is based on recipes from The Washington Post, Cordon Bleu at Home and Baking Obsession.

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert made of alternate layers of ladyfinger cookies infused with coffee and liqueur and a cream made primarily from mascarpone cheese, egg yolks and sugar. The name “tiramisu” literally means “pick me up”. If you think about what’s in it – strong espresso and sugar - it makes sense.

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While we had to make all of the components for our tiramisu from scratch, we did have the freedom to flavor and decorate our creations any way we liked. I decided to make one with the traditional coffee flavorings. However, instead of mixing my espresso with rum extract, as the recipe indicates, I used coffee liqueur. This is how I usually make my tiramisu, and I like the sweetness and intense coffee flavor that the liqueur adds. I also made it in a round mold, like you would a Charlotte ^[6]. Then, I dusted it with a little cocoa powder and garnished it with some edible dried rosebuds. The rosebuds really don’t have anything to do with the dessert. I just thought that they looked pretty.

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I also made some “spoonable” orange flavored tiramisu parfaits in pretty little jars. For this, I dipped my savoiardi in a mixture of an orange flavored simple syrup and Grand Marnier. I flavored the mascarpone cream with orange oil and grand Marnier as well. These were my favorites because you could keep the jars in the fridge with their lids on until you were ready to eat them. They stayed nice and fresh that way. Plus, they were cute little self-contained packages that were perfect to give as gifts.

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This recipe had several individual components that had to be made in order to put the whole dessert together, including the savoiardi, mascarpone, zabaglione, pastry cream and sweetened whipped cream. From start to finish, this tiramisu takes a minimum of two days to complete. And let me tell you, there’s a whole lot of whisking, whipping and beating going on!

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I wouldn’t say that I like this version of tiramisu better than the one I normally make, but I liked it a lot. This recipe is also a lot more complicated than mine, and for all that extra work, it doesn’t really taste any better. I am pretty psyched that I learned how to make homemade mascarpone, though. The texture of the homemade stuff isn’t quite as creamy as a good quality imported Italian mascarpone, and it lacks that sweet “edge” too. But, it’s actually very good and makes a great spread for bagels, muffins or scones.

If you’d like to see lots more beautiful and tantalizing versions of tiramisu, stop by and visit the Daring Bakers ^[10] web site. I guarantee you’ll be inspired!

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TIRAMISU

(Recipe source: Carminantonio’s Tiramisu from The Washington Post, July 11 2007 ^[12])
This recipe makes 6 servings

Ingredients:
For the zabaglione:
2 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons sugar/50gms
1/4 cup/60ml Marsala wine (or port or coffee)
1/4 teaspoon/ 1.25ml vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

For the vanilla pastry cream:
1/4 cup/55gms sugar
1 tablespoon/8gms all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon/ 2.5ml vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk
3/4 cup/175ml whole milk

For the whipped cream:
1 cup/235ml chilled heavy cream (we used 25%)
1/4 cup/55gms sugar
1/2 teaspoon/ 2.5ml vanilla extract

To assemble the tiramisu:
2 cups/470ml brewed espresso, warmed
1 teaspoon/5ml rum extract (optional)
1/2 cup/110gms sugar
1/3 cup/75gms mascarpone cheese
36 savoiardi/ ladyfinger biscuits (you may use less)
2 tablespoons/30gms unsweetened cocoa powder

Method:
For the zabaglione:
Heat water in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, place a pot with about an inch of water in it on the stove. Place a heat-proof bowl in the pot making sure the bottom does not touch the water.

In a large mixing bowl (or stainless steel mixing bowl), mix together the egg yolks, sugar, the Marsala (or espresso/ coffee), vanilla extract and lemon zest. Whisk together until the yolks are fully blended and the mixture looks smooth.

Transfer the mixture to the top of a double boiler or place your bowl over the pan/ pot with simmering water. Cook the egg mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 8 minutes or until it resembles thick custard. It may bubble a bit as it reaches that consistency.

Let cool to room temperature and transfer the zabaglione to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, until thoroughly chilled.

For the pastry cream:
Mix together the sugar, flour, lemon zest and vanilla extract in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. To this add the egg yolk and half the milk. Whisk until smooth.

Place the saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from curdling.

Add the remaining milk a little at a time, still stirring constantly. After about 12 minutes the mixture will be thick, free of lumps and beginning to bubble. (If you have a few lumps, don’t worry. You can push the cream through a fine-mesh strainer.)

Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic film and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, until thoroughly chilled.

For the whipped cream:
Combine the cream, sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric hand mixer or immersion blender until the mixture holds stiff peaks. Set aside.

To assemble the tiramisu:
Have ready a rectangular serving dish (about 8″ by 8″ should do) or one of your choice.

Mix together the warm espresso, rum extract and sugar in a shallow dish, whisking to mix well. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese with a spoon to break down the lumps and make it smooth. This will make it easier to fold. Add the prepared and chilled zabaglione and pastry cream, blending until just combined. Gently fold in the whipped cream. Set this cream mixture aside.

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To assemble the tiramisu:
Working quickly, dip 12 of the ladyfingers in the sweetened espresso, about 1 second per side. They should be moist but not soggy. Immediately transfer each ladyfinger to the platter, placing them side by side in a single row. You may break a lady finger into two, if necessary, to ensure the base of your dish is completely covered.

Spoon one-third of the cream mixture on top of the ladyfingers, then use a rubber spatula or spreading knife to cover the top evenly, all the way to the edges.

Repeat to create 2 more layers, using 12 ladyfingers and the cream mixture for each layer. Clean any spilled cream mixture; cover carefully with plastic wrap and refrigerate the tiramisu overnight.

To serve, carefully remove the plastic wrap and sprinkle the tiramisu with cocoa powder using a fine-mesh strainer or decorate as you please. Cut into individual portions and serve.

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MASCARPONE CHEESE

(Source: Vera’s Recipe for Homemade Mascarpone Cheese ^[15])
This recipe makes 12oz/ 340gm of mascarpone cheese

Ingredients:
474ml (approx. 500ml)/ 2 cups whipping (36 %) pasteurized (not ultra-pasteurized), preferably organic cream (between 25% to 36% cream will do)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Method:

Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a wide skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low so the water is barely simmering. Pour the cream into a medium heat-resistant bowl, then place the bowl into the skillet. Heat the cream, stirring often, to 190 F. If you do not have a thermometer, wait until small bubbles keep trying to push up to the surface.

It will take about 15 minutes of delicate heating. Add the lemon juice and continue heating the mixture, stirring gently, until the cream curdles. Do not expect the same action as you see during ricotta cheese making. All that the whipping cream will do is become thicker, like a well-done crème anglaise. It will cover a back of your wooden spoon thickly. You will see just a few clear whey streaks when you stir. Remove the bowl from the water and let cool for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, line a sieve with four layers of dampened cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Transfer the mixture into the lined sieve. Do not squeeze the cheese in the cheesecloth or press on its surface (be patient, it will firm up after refrigeration time). Once cooled completely, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate (in the sieve) overnight or up to 24 hours.

Vera’s notes: The first time I made mascarpone I had all doubts if it’d been cooked enough, because of its custard-like texture. Have no fear, it will firm up beautifully in the fridge, and will yet remain lusciously creamy.
Keep refrigerated and use within 3 to 4 days.

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LADYFINGERS/ SAVOIARDI BISCUITS
(Source: Recipe from Cordon Bleu At Home ^[17])
This recipe makes approximately 24 big ladyfingers or 45 small (2 1/2″ to 3″ long) ladyfingers.

Ingredients:
3 eggs, separated
6 tablespoons /75gms granulated sugar
3/4 cup/95gms cake flour, sifted (or 3/4 cup all purpose flour + 2 tbsp corn starch)
6 tablespoons /50gms confectioner’s sugar,

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C) degrees, then lightly brush 2 baking sheets with oil or softened butter and line with parchment paper.

Beat the egg whites using a hand held electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gradually add granulate sugar and continue beating until the egg whites become stiff again, glossy and smooth.

In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks lightly with a fork and fold them into the meringue, using a wooden spoon. Sift the flour over this mixture and fold gently until just mixed. It is important to fold very gently and not overdo the folding. Otherwise the batter would deflate and lose volume resulting in ladyfingers which are flat and not spongy.

Fit a pastry bag with a plain tip (or just snip the end off; you could also use a Ziploc bag) and fill with the batter. Pipe the batter into 5″ long and 3/4″ wide strips leaving about 1″ space in between the strips.

Sprinkle half the confectioner’s sugar over the ladyfingers and wait for 5 minutes. The sugar will pearl or look wet and glisten. Now sprinkle the remaining sugar. This helps to give the ladyfingers their characteristic crispness.

Hold the parchment paper in place with your thumb and lift one side of the baking sheet and gently tap it on the work surface to remove excess sprinkled sugar.

Bake the ladyfingers for 10 minutes, then rotate the sheets and bake for another 5 minutes or so until the puff up, turn lightly golden brown and are still soft.

Allow them to cool slightly on the sheets for about 5 minutes and then remove the ladyfingers from the baking sheet with a metal spatula while still hot, and cool on a rack.

Store them in an airtight container till required. They should keep for 2 to 3 weeks.

LINKS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Site Links:
Step by step pictures for Tiramisu including zabaglione & pastry cream ^[18] –
Gluten Free Ladyfingers: 1000 gluten-free recipes ^[19] by Carol Fenster (ladyfingers pg 436, Tiramisu pg 651)
Gluten free Ladyfingers and Tiramisu ^[20]
Diary Free Tiramisu: Levana Cooks Diary-Free ^[21] by Lévana Kirschenbaum, Menachem Adelman, Meir Pliskin (pg 86)

Video links for making tiramisu:
These are not for the recipe given for this challenge, but the procedure in the video would be a helpful guide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TEJXgjId8w ^[22]
Gordon Ramsay - Video for dipping savoiardi - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HlqQqP6Mcw ^[23]