All About Tiramisu! With Recipe and Video
Tiramisu is a popular Italian dessert that has become a staple in many restaurants and households around the world. Its name literally means “pick me up” in Italian, and it’s easy to see why – the combination of creamy mascarpone cheese, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of cocoa powder is a delicious and energizing treat. But how did this dessert come to be?
The origins of tiramisu are somewhat disputed, with several different regions in Italy laying claim to its creation. One popular story is that it was invented in the 1960s at Le Beccherie, a restaurant in the northeastern city of Treviso. According to this version of events, the dessert was created by a pastry chef named Roberto Linguanotto, who made it for a group of ladies who were looking for something sweet and energizing to help them get through a long night of dancing. He combined mascarpone cheese, egg yolks, sugar, and marsala wine to create a creamy filling, which he layered with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and dusted with cocoa powder. The ladies reportedly loved it, and tiramisu soon became a fixture on the menu at Le Beccherie.
Another version of the story attributes the invention of tiramisu to the town of Siena, in central Italy. In this version, the dessert was created in the 17th century by a group of nuns who were looking for a way to boost their spirits. They supposedly combined mascarpone cheese, eggs, and coffee to create a dessert that was both delicious and revitalizing.
Regardless of its true origins, tiramisu quickly became a beloved dessert in Italy and beyond. It gained popularity in the United States in the 1980s and has since become a classic dessert in many American restaurants. Today, there are countless variations on the traditional recipe, with some chefs adding ingredients like chocolate, amaretto, or fruit to create unique twists on the classic dessert.
Despite its disputed origins, one thing is clear – tiramisu is a delicious and beloved dessert that has stood the test of time. Whether you’re enjoying a traditional recipe or trying out a new twist on the classic, this dessert is sure to pick you up and leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
Tiramisu
Ingredients
- 1 lb Mascarpone Cheese
- 4 Egg Yolks
- 1/4 cup Marsala Wine
- 1/4 cup Espresso or Strong Coffee
- 1/4 cup heavy cream whipped to soft peaks
- 24-30 Lady Finers
- Cocoa Powder for dusting
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese until smooth.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Add the wine to the egg yolk mixture and beat everything together.
- Fold the egg yolk mixture into the mascarpone cheese until well combined.
- Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until it is well combined.
- Dip each ladyfinger in the espresso or coffee and place them in a single layer in the bottom of a 9-inch square dish.
- Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers.
- Dip the remaining ladyfingers in the espresso or coffee and place them in a single layer over the mascarpone mixture.
- Spread the remaining mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers.
- Dust the top of the tiramisu with unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Refrigerate the tiramisu for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Pick up a copy of “Mangia! A Taste of Italy In America” and try out our tiramisu recipe and many more! You won’t regret it!