Have you ever enjoyed a dessert so much that you felt you could have it every single day for the rest of your life? If your answer was no, we have to say that classic tiramisù is a strong candidate to be the one for you. This highly popular Italian dessert is the recipe we are going to show you today!
First of all, that name translates to “pick me up” in Italian. It is a reference to its energetic flair, which comes from including coffee and sugar in its ingredient list. Tiramisù’s history goes back to the city of Treviso, situated in the Italian region of Veneto, but it has a few different versions.
One of those says that tiramisù was invented at the Le Beccherie restaurant in Treviso, where it first appeared on the menu in 1972. Back then, the recipe included layers of ladyfinger biscuits soaked in coffee, mascarpone cheese, egg yolks, sugar, and a dusting of cocoa powder on top.
Another version affirms that there were brothels in Treviso which would serve tiramisù to their customers before returning home to bring back their energy. Other people link it with Duke’s Soup from Siena or Dolce Torino from Emilia Romagna because they have similar ingredients.
Either way, what matters to us is that this dessert has only become better with time. One of the best things about Italian tiramisù is the fact that you can easily balance its flavor by applying a little bit more or less of coffee, cream or wine. This way, it will never become excessively sweet or bitter.
Such characteristics have quickly made tiramisù worldwide famous. So famous, in fact, that it has gained actual events dedicated to it. Next time you visit Treviso, you may be able to attend either the Tiramisù World Cup or the Tiramisù Day. Now, let’s dive into the details of this recipe!
Tiramisù is a traditional recipe, so it is not a surprise that most of its ingredients are specific. In case you have never tried it, it is a no-bake dessert made with layers of different ingredients to form its complex and lasting flavor. Here, we are going to delve into the most unusual of them.
Ladyfingers, named savoiardi in Italian, are a type of cookie that Is sweet, very dry, and shaped like fingers. It is very common in trifle-like recipes where creamy ingredients are placed on top of them. The reason is that, once ladyfingers get moist, they take a delicious cake-like texture.
You can imagine that old-school tiramisù is made with typical Italian savoiardi; the best case is to bake them from scratch. However, it is also possible to save time and money by buying them at the nearest grocery store. Just make sure to get the hard variety; they will work better here.
Mascarpone cheese is said to be created in Northern Italy, specifically in the Lombardy region, in the Middle Ages. Its signature texture comes from curdling fresh cream with tartaric acid or lemon juice. It is named after mascarpia, which can be loosely translated as “more than good”.
While it emerged as a regional specialty, mascarpone became famous around the world for its use in iconic dishes such as tiramisù. One of its best characteristics is being appropriate to be used in both sweet and salty recipes – you can find it in cheesecakes and risottos, for example.
Another interesting ingredient is espresso coffee. In essence, it is made by forcing hot water at high pressure through coffee beans that were finely ground. Well-made espresso has a layer of creamy foam and an intense flavor. It is usually served as one ounce (single) or two (double).
The fact that “espresso” has become such a common word when we talk about coffee can tell us how popular this beverage has become. While it is more about the preparation method, we can make it even better by using specific blends. Here, we will dip the ladyfingers in espresso.
So, how to cook Italian Tiramisu?
Combine the mascarpone, cream, wine, and sugar in a bowl and whisk until mixed thoroughly.
Pour the coffee into a shallow bowl. Dip each sponge finger into the coffee for a couple of seconds on each side, then transfer to a shallow glass dish. Continue until you have used half of the fingers, covering the bottom of the dish with a single layer.
Spread half of the cream mixture over the top of the sponge fingers. Scatter over half of the chocolate. Then repeat the process again with the remaining sponge fingers, dipping them in the coffee before layering them. Spread the remaining cream over the top.
Place in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight, to allow the coffee flavor to soak through.
Sprinkle with the cocoa powder and remaining chocolate.
This Italian Tiramisu will definitely get you some brownie points! Have a go at making it this weekend for a special Italian twist to your dinner, and let me know how you find it!
Thank you fo sharing this recipe!
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