Modernly cute, timelessly classic Tiramisu

Guess Elyse and I both decided to make something with whipped cream and chocolate shavings the week we got back from break...

My fiance has been on the near obsessive search for a serving of this italian dessert for weeks. So instead of continuing to be dragged from coffeeshop to bakery once a week, I just decided to make him as much as his heart desired.

Gosh that is gorgeous. Who knew chocolate shavings could look that good? For this recipe - I ran into a bit of trouble finding mascarpone cheese but was determined to make this classic dessert and used a substitute that is cheaper, very easy, and definitely readily available. Also, it tastes virtually identical!!

Also - a new camera was gifted unto me and I went a little crazy with the photography. Let's call this one Tiramisu in Nature. But really - natural sunlight shows off those layers like no other. Lady finger layer check. Mousse layer? Check. Chocolate shaving layer? Check check check!

Also - as you can tell, I put them into little wine glasses! The perfectly proportioned little dessert with an elegant presentation is great for parties or simply to be devoured one by one on the sanctuary that is my kitchen floor.

• 
  
• Tiramisu
• 
  
• 7 yolks
• 1 cup sugar for yolks
• 3 cups mascarpone (or substitute: 16 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup whipping cream)
• 3 egg whites beaten until fluffy and glossy
• 1/4 cup sugar for the whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream whipped
• 2 1/2 cups cooled coffee or espresso
• 1/2 cup coffee liqueur
• 20-24 lady fingers 
• 1 cup chocolate shavings

Beat the 7 yolks and 1 cup sugar until pale and yellow and fluffy. Mix in the mascarpone substitute (for those that can't find it or can't afford it!) or if you can find it and afford it, the mascarpone itself. 

Add in 1/4 cup sugar for the egg whites and vanilla into the egg whites and beat until fluffy, glossy peaks form again. Fold into the mascarpone mixture being careful not to overfold! Finally, fold in your whipped heavy cream. 

Mix your coffee liqueur with your coffee/espresso and very quickly dip your lady fingers one at a time into the coffee mixture. Plate a single layer of lady fingers into a 8x10in baking pan. If you would like your tiramisu with more cake (like I do) just double the amount of lady fingers and coffee dip and cake away! Layer on a layer of your mascarpone cheese mixture and half the chocolate shavings. 

Repeat with another layer of lady fingers, mousse, and top with the last of your chocolate. Set in the fridge overnight and then dig in! Trust me, it is soooo worth waiting overnight. The mousse gets soaked up by the lady fingers, firms up, and the flavors meld together like italian amore. 

Enjoy! (Also that wooden fork there was saved from my virgin trip to Sprinkle's cupcakes a year ago. It's true. I save a fork. )

Sam