Introduction
What to expect
An elegant Italian dessert of coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone cream.
The story
Behind the recipe
Tiramisu is an Italian dessert that originated in northeastern Italy, with modern versions popularized from the late 1960s. Its name, "tirami su," translates to "pick me up." The recipe does not appear in cookbooks before the 1960s. The most famous origin story credits Le Beccherie restaurant in Treviso with inventing it in 1969. Another dessert called tiremesù was documented in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region as early as 1938. Tiramisu was first mentioned in an English-language publication in 1978 and an Italian dictionary in 1980.
Method
Instructions
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1
Separate eggs, beating yolks with sugar until pale and fluffy.
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2
Whip egg whites to stiff peaks in a clean bowl.
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3
Fold mascarpone into yolks, then gently incorporate the whites.
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4
Mix espresso with rum in a shallow dish.
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5
Briefly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture and arrange in a dish.
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6
Spread half the mascarpone cream over the first layer of ladyfingers.
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7
Repeat with another layer of dipped cookies and remaining cream.
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8
Dust with cocoa powder and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Adaptations