Basic Tiramisu

Posted by Dexie

Tiramisu is my ultimate favorite dessert. This Italian treat would be my top pick if I was asked to make a list of food I want to eat before I leave this earth. That's how much I love it. Having said that, I was afraid to make it myself. For some reason I had a feeling I would screw it up. Well, were my fears on tackling this dessert unfounded or should I have listened to my instincts?

Judging from the taste and the delight from my son and husband, I can deduce that my first attempt was ok. Nothing extravagant but certainly passable. From the presentation aspect? That's where I failed miserably. I miscalculated how big my cake/trifle stand is. Hence the tiramisu looking all too awkwardly in disarray. Darn. Hey, practice makes perfect right?

Here is my first attempt on this favorite dessert of mine. Hopefully, in a few months or so I can show you a perfected version. The recipe is a basic version that a scarry cat like me should try first before moving on to a more advanced version. It is from the Everyday Food magazine that my mother-in-law sent me. I added minor changes though.

INGREDIENTS:
3 tbsp instant espresso powder
3 tbsp hot water
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 bar cream cheese
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 packages of soft ladyfingers
cool whip
grated dark chocolate

In a medium bowl, mix espresso powder with 3 tbsp boiling water until dissolved. Add 1 1/2 cups of cold water: set aside.

With an electric mixer, beat crema cheese with heavy cream and sugar until light and fluffy.

Spread a few tablespoons of cream cheese mixture in the bottom of a 2-quart serving dish. Separate ladyfingers. One by one, dip a third of ladyfingers in espresso, then arrange in bottom of dish. Spread with a third of cream cheese mixture. Repeat twice with remaining ladyfingers, espresso and cream cheese mixture.

*Add a dollop of cool whip on top then dust with grated dark chocolate before serving. These are my minor changes. The recipe orginally called for dust of cocoa but I wanted cool whip and dark chocolate on top :) .