My Favorite Tiramisu

It’s been a weekend spent inside due to extremely cold temperatures.  The only way the dogs wanted to be outside was if they were racing around the yard after the Frisbee or chasing each other.  As for walking, they wouldn’t have any part of that.  As for running, well, I’m obsessed but not quite that sick.  Come to think of it, maybe I am.  No, I did not venture outside in sub zero temps, we’re talking –25 degrees with wind chill.   I took aim at the treadmill and, hold on to your hats, ran 20 miles on Friday and 10 1/2 on Saturday.  It’s more of a mental workout than physical.  It seems easier on the body but mentally it’s the ultimate in BORING!

What made those long treadmill runs doable was:

1. I have an app on my iPad Pro called Run Social.  It features select running courses around the world so you can run with other people and see a different route as you run.  Kind of fun. So far I’ve run the London Marathon.

2. Saturday were the US Olympic Marathon Trials.  I waited until they started the race, 1pm EST and ran with the elites.  Fun!

Sunday was Valentine’s Day without a break in that cold spell.  After a short weight training session, I got to work on the tiramisu Ted thought would be nice for this sweet heart of a day. And so it goes….

Tiramisu

“Lift me up” which is the meaning of Tiramisu.  It makes sense since this rich Italian dessert is fueled with espresso in every bite.  After such a severe cold spell, we all need a little lift me up.  This dessert will certainly do it for you and it’s not too difficult to make, especially the way I do it.

There have been a few tiramisu recipes posted on this blog but this one is the hands down favorite.

Serves 10 – 12

Ingredients

• 1 large package of Instant Vanilla Pudding
• 1 pint heavy cream, separated.
• 1 cup fat free milk
• 16 oz mascarpone cheese
• 2 TBS sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 40 lady fingers
• 3/4 cup espresso
• 3/4 cup Kahlua * If you don’t have Kahlua, it’s fine to simply double the espresso
• 1 TBS honey
• 1 TBS vanilla extract
• dark chocolate, grated

You will need a 9 x 13 “ cake pan.  This dessert will have to set for 2 hours in the fridge before eating.

Beat the vanilla pudding with 1 3/4 cups heavy cream and 1 cup of fat free milk until thickened.  Slowly mix in the mascarpone cheese until smooth.

Beat the remaining heavy cream in a separate bowl, adding 1 tsp vanilla and 2 TBS sugar, until it holds peaks.  Do not over whip.   Gently fold into the pudding/mascarpone mixture.

Spread a layer of lady fingers on the bottom of the pan.  *You might have to trip them for an even fit.

Mix the espresso, Kahlua (if using), honey, and vanilla.  Using 1/2 the mixture, coat each finger with the espresso wash.

Spread 1/2 of the mascarpone cream on top of the fingers.  Now you are going to repeat the layering by putting the last layer of fingers on top of the cream, coating with remaining espresso mix then spreading with the remaining mascarpone cream.  Sprinkle on the chocolate and chill for 2 hours.

This was based on a recipe from Joey’s in Syracuse, NY

Just like biting into a cloud.  A deliciously light dessert with wonderful coffee flavors coating the tongue.  There is no way this isn’t a family favorite.

Joanne