Tiramisu - An Invigorating Pick Me Up!

Tiramisu means "pick-me-up" or lift-me-up." Tiramisu is a rich creamy italian dessert made with mascarpone cheese, ladyfingers, expresso/coffee, and cocoa. It's one of my all time favorite desserts. I'm not sure if it's the strong coffee or the sweet luscious taste, tiramisu picks me up every single time I take a bite! It actually picks me up just thinking about it! There are short cuts and different variations to making tiramisu but today I'm sticking with an authentic version. Plus, I'm making this special dessert for Valentine's Day. Tiramisu is best eaten the next day or even two days later because time gives the ingredients a chance to congeal and meld together. Assembling tiramisu is a lot like assembling a lasagna except there is no baking involved. When it's done being assembled you just stick it in the refrigerator. Gotta love that! I know I'm going to have a hard time waiting until tomorrow evening to eat this! Salute to tiramisu - the best pick-me-up!

The mascarpone mixture is so creamy and fluffy!

The ladyfingers dipped in the coffee and rum
smelled like a barista!

Look at the layers of italian deliciousness!
What a Valentine's day treat this will be!

I couldn't resist! I had to take one bite before tomorrow.
No regrets!

Tiramisu (Click to print recipe)

Ingredients:

• 6 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 16 oz mascarpone cheese
• 1 t vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups strong coffee or expresso
• 3 tb rum
• 24 ladyfingers
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• chocolate syrup

In a large mixing bowl beat egg yolks, sugar, cheese and vanilla with a mixer until smooth and fluffy. Add 1 tb rum and beat until mixed through. Combine coffee and 2 tb rum in a bowl. Dip each ladyfinger in the coffee to make sure each side is absorbed. Do not oversaturate. Line 12 ladyfingers in an 8 x 8 dish then squeeze chocolate syrup over them. Then spoon half of the cheese mixture over the ladyfingers. Sprinkle 1/2 of the cocoa powder over the cheese mixture. Now layer the rest of the ladyfingers over top and squeeze chocolate syrup over top. Now add the rest of the cheese mixture over the top and add the rest of the cocoa powder. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Preferably overnight. Slice and serve. Add chocolate syrup if desired.