Tiramisu is the ultimate Italian dessert: a masterpiece. As simple to make as it is delicious, it is based on four main ingredients: mascarpone, eggs, savoiardi cookies (sponge fingers), and coffee. Tiramisu (meaning “pick me up” or “cheer me up”) is prepared from alternating layers of mascarpone cream and cookies soaked in coffee, then served cold. Originating in Veneto, the recipe for tiramisu is relatively recent and was not included in cookbooks prior to the 1960s. It has many possible variations, often including liqueur, but this is the traditional version.
Serves: 6
Preparation Time: 30 Minutes + 3 Hours Chilling
Ingredients
2 egg whites
4 egg yolks
1¼ cups/150g confectioners’ (icing) sugar
1¾ cups/400g mascarpone cheese
18 ladyfingers (sponge fingers)
¾ cup/175ml freshly brewed extra strong coffee, cooled
200g semisweet (dark) chocolate, grated
unsweetened cocoa powder or grated chocolate, for dusting
Method
Whisk the egg whites until stiff in a grease-free bowl. Beat the egg yolks with the sugar in another bowl until pale and fluffy. Gently fold in the mascarpone, then the egg whites.
Make a layer of ladyfingers (sponge fingers) on the bottom of a 6-cup/1.5l serving dish and brush them evenly with the coffee. Cover with a layer of the mascarpone cream and sprinkle with a little grated chocolate. Continue making layers until all the ingredients are used, ending with a layer of mascarpone cream. Dust with cocoa powder or more grated chocolate and chill in the refrigerator for about 3 hours.
Recipe extracted from The Silver Spoon Classic published by Phaidon
Published by Phaidon, The Silver Spoon Classic is a luxurious collection of 170 iconic recipes from Italy’s incredibly diverse regions. With dishes for all tastes and seasons, it’s a definitive guide to preparing the most important, authentic Italian meals. Enjoy the easy and delicious recipes on the pages ahead, adding a taste of Italy to your table.
