Karens Tiramisu Recipes

Steps:

• Make the Tiramisu at least one day before it is needed and store covered in the fridge.
• Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until light, then beat in the cheese, beating until smooth.
• Whisk the whites until stiff but not dry, and then fold these into the mixture.
• The whites will lose most of their volume and the finished result will be a softer cream rather than a mousse.
• Mix your chosen spirit with the coffee.
• Dip the biscuits one at a time into the coffee and arrange half of them in a single layer in a serving dish. (I normally use a Pyrex bowl that's about 10 inches in diameter and 3 inches high.)
• Spread half of the cream mixture over them.
• Now continue with the remaining fingers, pouring on any leftover coffee.
• Spread the second half of the cream over the top and sprinkle liberally with cocoa powder.
• Cover and store in the fridge for at least 24 hours.

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.