On my first trip to Italy to meet my husband's family back in 1995, I didn't speak a word of Italian. But I did learn how to make great dolci (desserts) from his sister, Maria. This was her tiramisu recipe, and now they ask me to make it whenever we go back!
Preparation Time
30 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Calories
324 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Beat together egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, brandy, and 1 tablespoon espresso in a bowl with an electric mixer until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add mascarpone cheese; beat until well blended, 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 2
Beat egg whites and a pinch of sugar in a separate, clean bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold egg whites into mascarpone mixture; set aside.
Step 3
Pour remaining espresso into a shallow dish. Dip 1 side of each ladyfinger into espresso and arrange on a serving platter in 2 horizontal rows of 6 and 2 1/2 ladyfingers in opposite directions on both ends to form a rectangular shape.
Step 4
Spread 1/2 of the mascarpone mixture onto ladyfingers and dust with 1/2 of the cocoa powder. Top with remaining ladyfingers dipped in espresso, mascarpone mixture, and cocoa powder.
Step 5
Refrigerate tiramisu until ladyfingers have softened, 2 to 3 hours.