Ingredients:
- 6 Large Egg Yolks
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar (150 grams)
- 2 tablespoons Dry Marsala Wine (or dark rum/brandy)
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 lb Mascarpone Cheese (500 grams), chilled
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (240 ml), cold
- 2 cups Freshly Brewed Espresso, very strong and completely cooled
- 1/4 cup Dry Marsala Wine (or dark rum)
- 7 oz package Savoiardi Ladyfinger Biscuits (200 grams)
- 3 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (for dusting)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Coffee Soak: Brew the espresso and pour it into a wide, shallow bowl. Stir in the 1/4 cup (60ml) of Marsala wine. Set aside to cool completely. Lightly dust the bottom of the serving dish (9x13 inch) with cocoa powder to prevent sticking.
- Create the Stabilized Egg Base (Bain-Marie Method): Fill a saucepan with about 1 inch of water and bring it to a gentle simmer. Place the egg yolks and granulated sugar into a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over the simmering water (ensure water does not touch the bowl bottom).
- Cook and Thicken: Whisk constantly and vigorously for 5–8 minutes until the mixture triples in volume, turns pale yellow, and reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove from heat and continue whisking until the mixture is completely cool and very thick. Stir in the 2 tablespoons of Marsala and vanilla extract.
- Finish the Mascarpone Cream: In a separate large bowl, lightly whisk the cold mascarpone cheese until just smooth. Gently fold the cooled egg mixture into the mascarpone until uniformly combined. Do not overmix. (Optional: Whip the 1 cup of heavy cream to soft peaks and gently fold this into the mascarpone mixture for a lighter texture.)
- Assemble Layer 1: Take one ladyfinger at a time and quickly dip both sides into the cooled coffee mixture (1-2 seconds per side). Arrange the soaked ladyfingers tightly in a single layer across the bottom of the prepared dish. Spread half of the mascarpone cream evenly over the biscuit layer.
- Assemble Layer 2: Dip and arrange the remaining ladyfingers to create a second layer. Spread the remaining mascarpone cream evenly over the second layer of biscuits.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the Tiramisu to set firmly and the flavors to meld. Just before serving, generously dust the top surface with unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine-mesh sieve.