Tiramisu (Italian Dessert)

And finally here comes the much awaited post by everyone visiting my space and a long awaited wish come true to make my own tiramisu at home with the homemade mascarpone cheese,lady finger cookies, vanilla custard.Am very happy to share this with you all,friends !!Tiramisu is an Italian dessert invented in a restaurant in Italy which means "pick me up " or "carry me up" which refers to the jolt you get after eating the dessert.This dessert uses an English style custard but I have modified to a basic vanilla custard as otherwise the dessert is very rich so just wished to avoid eggs.I have omitted the alochol too.This is a dessert made in heaven,love each bite of the dessert.The recipe is adapted from one of my favorite sites here.Hope you enjoy too the same way !!

Ingredients
for custard & cream filling
vanilla custard powder 4tbsp
milk 2 cups
sugar 3/4 cup granulated
mascarpone cheese 8 oz;1 cup(227 g)
 
for layers 
lady finger biscuits 28-32

for coffee soaking syrup
strong brewed coffee 1 1/2 cups
sugar granulated 1/3 cup or more
dark rum 1/4 cup(I have omitted this) 

for topping
cocoa powder to dust
shaved /grated bittersweet chocolate 2 tbsp

Method

• FOR MAKING CUSTARD- Heat about 1 3/4 cup milk in a sauce pan.Dissolve the custard powder in 1/4 cup cold milk(remaining) without lumps.Bring the milk to a boil,add the custard mix and keep whisking on medium flame without burning the bottom until the custard is medium thick.Immediately transfer the custard to another bowl and cover the surface with a cling wrap so that it doesn't form a film.Refrigerate until thick and cold.
• FOR CREAM FILLING-Bring the mascarpone cheese to room temperature and whisk with a wooden spoon until smooth & soft.Add in the cold custard and fold in with the mascarpone cheese until smooth.
• FOR COFFEE SYRUP- Mix the strong brewed coffee with sugar.Add more or less sugar as desired.

• FINAL ASSEMBLING- Line a loaf tin (9*5*3) with a cling wrap.Make sure the plastic wrap extends to the sides of the pan.(makes easier to demould).Keep the lady fingers ready,dip each lady fingers in the coffee syrup and line them as a single layer in the bottom of the pan.Spoon half of the cream filling on top.Repeat the same steps with the next set of lady fingers and then top with cream filling.Repeat for 3 layers,ending with lady fingers.Cover with a cling wrap and refrigerate for 6 hours.
• SERVE- Remove the cling wrap on top and invert on a cake stand or a tray by holding the sides of the bottom cling wrap and remove the cling wrap gently.Dust the top with cocoa and shaved chocolates.Ready to serve & enjoy !!

Servings~ 8-10 slices

NOTES
* You can make the regular english custard instead of this basic custard but this tasted great too.
* Though I mentioned in my previous post that lady fingers had an odor of egg but that vanished after soaking in coffee syrup and final serving.Also,the lady fingers were so spongy that i just had to dip it once and they were soaked up.
* You can use sponge cake recipe too instead of the regular lady finger biscuits,tastes almost same.
* You can use store brought mascarpone cheese too.
* You can add rum to the coffee syrup to enhance flavors.

Sending this to Flavors of Italy hosted by Divya @ Divya's Culinary Journey, Spotlight Valentines Treat hosted by Chandrani @ Cuisine Delights,Valentines Day Recipe Contest Hosted by Priya@ Priya's Versatile Recipes