6-8 Servings

Prep Time: 45 minutes Set Time: 6 hours

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Ingredients Coffee Syrup: 1 cup brewed espresso or strong coffee 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons coffee or almond liqueur (optional) Filling: 1 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons Marsala wine, dark rum, or brandy (optional) 1 cup heavy cream 1/3 cup granulated sugar about 20-24 ladyfingers

Directions

For coffee syrup: In a small bowl, combine hot coffee, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 tablespoons liquor. Mix until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.

For filling: In a large bowl, whisk mascarpone vigorously by hand until creamy and smooth. Whisk in vanilla extract and alcohol. In a different mixer bowl, whisk together heavy cream and sugar using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into mascarpone in 2 additions until mixture is smooth.

Assemble tiramisu: Dip ladyfingers very quickly (less than a second) into the coffee syrup and line them in one layer in an 8-inch baking dish. If necessary, break a few ladyfingers to fit them in the dish. Spoon half of the filling over the ladyfingers and smooth the top. Repeat with a second layer of coffee-dipped ladyfingers, then with the rest of the cream. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to 2 days.

Serve cold. Right before serving, dust the top with cocoa powder or grated chocolate (or both!).