Our Favorite Tiramisu Recipes

OUR FAVORITE TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Finely chop chocolate in processor. Set aside.
• Mix sugar and egg yolks in processor 30 seconds. Add vanilla and process until pale yellow, about 1 minute. Add cheese in batches and blend until smooth. Transfer to medium bowl. Cover and chill 1 hour.
• Beat whipping cream until stiff. Fold into cream cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead.)
• Pour espresso into large shallow dish. Dip cake strips in espresso, turning to coat all sides lightly. Arrange strips on bottom of 10-cup shallow dish, smoothing with fingers to mold together. Sprinkle with half of chocolate. top with chilled cheese mixture. Sprinkle remaining chocolate over. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.)

MY FAMILY'S FAVORITE TIRAMISU

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, whisk the egg yolks and sugar on medium-high to high speed until the mixture is pale and holds a ribbon on the surface when the whisk is lifted out, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in the mascarpone until the mixture thickens.
• In a clean mixer bowl using a clean whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites on medium-high speed until they form stiff peaks. They will almost triple in size.
• Gently fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture. Refrigerate until ready to assemble.
• Pour the coffee and brandy into a shallow dish. Dip the ladyfingers into the coffee mixture one at a time and arrange them over the base of a 7-by-11-inch or 9-by-13-inch serving dish. When dipping, do not let the ladyfingers soak, or they will get soggy; instead, dip one in the liquid and then quickly turn and dip the other end, then straight into the serving dish.
• Spread one-third of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers, covering them well, then repeat the layers twice more, dipping the ladyfingers, arranging them in the dish, and then covering with mascarpone.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 5 hours to set. Before serving, dust generously with the cocoa powder. This is best eaten within 24 hours.

CLASSIC TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler, over boiling water. Reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and whip yolks until thick and lemon colored.
• Add mascarpone to whipped yolks. Beat until combined. In a separate bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold into yolk mixture and set aside.
• Split the lady fingers in half, and line the bottom and sides of a large glass bowl. Brush with coffee liqueur. Spoon half of the cream filling over the lady fingers. Repeat ladyfingers, coffee liqueur and filling layers. Garnish with cocoa and chocolate curls. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
• To make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of the chocolate bar.

CLASSIC TIRAMISù

Steps:

• Using an electric mixer in a medium bowl, whip together egg yolks and 1/4 cup/50 grams sugar until very pale yellow and about tripled in volume. A slight ribbon should fall from the beaters (or whisk attachment) when lifted from the bowl. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, wiping out the medium bowl used to whip the yolks and set aside.
• In the medium bowl, whip cream and remaining 1/4 cup/50 grams sugar until it creates soft-medium peaks. Add mascarpone and continue to whip until it creates a soft, spreadable mixture with medium peaks. Gently fold the mascarpone mixture into the sweetened egg yolks until combined.
• Combine espresso and rum in a shallow bowl and set aside.
• Using a sifter, dust the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish (an 8x8-inch dish, or a 9-inch round cake pan would also work here) with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder.
• Working one at a time, quickly dip each ladyfinger into the espresso mixture -- they are quite porous and will fall apart if left in the liquid too long -- and place them rounded side up at the bottom of the baking dish. Repeat, using half the ladyfingers, until you've got an even layer, breaking the ladyfingers in half as needed to fill in any obvious gaps (a little space in between is O.K.). Spread half the mascarpone mixture onto the ladyfingers in one even layer. Repeat with remaining espresso-dipped ladyfingers and mascarpone mixture.
• Dust top layer with remaining tablespoon of cocoa powder. Top with shaved or finely grated chocolate, if desired.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (if you can wait 24 hours, all the better) before slicing or scooping to serve.