Tiramisu

 Got some love for Italy? Then this is for you. Tiramisu is a delightful Italian dessert. It basically translates to "lift me up." It's light, but rich, and just divine. It's surprisingly simple to create with store-bought lady fingers. The coffee-flavored dish is immensely popular in Italy and is seen on most Italian dessert menus across the world. 

If you're going to indulge on a dessert, make it this one. It is stacked with coffee and rum dipped lady fingers, whipped cream, and a mascarpone custard before being repeated. It is then dusted with cocoa powder. Delicious!

Ingredients

2/3 cup milk
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup strong brewed coffee (room temperature)
2 tablespoons rum
2 packages of 3 ounce ladyfinger cookies
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Steps 

1. Whisk together the egg yolks and sugar in a saucepan until completely combined. Cook, stirring regularly, over medium heat until the mixture boils. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly. Refrigerate for 1 hour, covered.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, whip, cream with vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Mascarpone should be whisked into the yolk mixture until smooth.

3. Combine coffee and rum in a small bowl. Ladyfingers should be cut in half lengthwise and sprinkled with coffee mixture.

4. Half of the soaked ladyfingers should be placed in the bottom of a 7x11 inch dish. Half of the mascarpone mixture should be spread over the ladyfingers, followed by half of the whipped cream. Layer again and top with cocoa. Refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours, or until set. Enjoy!