Tiramisu

I'm quite intimidated to make tiramisu. Not sure why but I guess I'm a perfectionist and I won't be happy if the cake comes out under par. Tiramisu is an Italian dessert, literally means "pick me up". I judge Italian restaurants by numerous dishes they make... and tiramisu is one of them. Not too long ago, my friend WL made this cake for her bf's birthday. I had the opportunity to sample it and I was greatly impressed... almost floored by it. I gobbled up another piece.

Below is her recipe that was adapted from classic tiramisu recipe. Enjoy!

Tiramisu

Ingredients:

6 egg yolks, 1.25 cup white sugar, 1.25 cups mascarpone cheese at room temperature, 1.75 cups heavy whipping cream, 2 (12 ounce) packages ladyfingers, 14 g gelatin, 180 ml Marsala wine,1 cup of coffee and 2 tsps unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Requires refrigeration overnight

Procedures:

1. Cream egg yolks and sugar together in the top of a double boiler, over boiling water. Reduce heat to LOW and cook for about 10 mins or until the sugar is mostly melted, stirring constantly

2. Add the Marsala wine, mix well. Remove from heat and add the gelatin powder. Mix well

3. Add mascarpone to whipped yolks. Beat until combined

4. In a separate bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold into yolk mixture and set aside

5. Line the bottom and sides of a large glass bowl with the ladyfingers. Brush with coffee. Spoon 1/3 of the cream filling over the lady fingers. Repeat ladyfingers, coffee and filling layers two times.(a traditional tiramisu has 3 layers)

6. Refrigerate several hours or overnight

7. Garnish with cocoa powder and serve

Tips:

1. Double boiler helps the sugar to melt and mix together with the yolk. Make sure it is not too hot and cooked the yolk

2. You can use Kaluha instead of Marsala wine

3. Gelatin powder does not mix well under high heat, so make sure you chill the wine in the fridge to cool down the yolk mixture a bit before adding the gelatin powder

4. Fold in the whipped cream in a couple batches, and make sure it is stiff so the yolk and cheese mixture does not go flat

5. The amount of ladyfingers vary depending on the size of your serving bowl

6. Adjust coffee amount depending on your taste

7. Adding cocoa powder before you refrigerate may appear soggy-looking overnight

Can you guess which is homemade and which is not?