This dessert is made of ladyfingers (also known as savoiardi in Italy, or as sponge fingers in British English) dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, flavored with cocoa. The recipe has been adapted into many varieties of cakes and other desserts.
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS FOR TOPPING
1cupwhipping cream
2tspwhite sugar
1/2tbspvanilla extract
INGREDIENTS FOR FILLING
1cupwhipping cream
1/2cupwhite sugar
1tbspvanilla extract
5 egg yolks
2cupsMascarpone cheese
1/4cupMarsala wine(optional)
INGREDIENTS FOR LADYFINGER MIX
1 ½cupcoffee
5tbspwhite sugar
1tbspvanilla extract
1box ladyfingers cookies(or my recipe)
1/4cup rum (optional)
Instructions
The topping
Whip the cream to soft peaks and stir in sugar and the vanilla. Keep it in the fridge until ready to assemble.
The cream filling
Whip the cream to soft peaks and stir in sugar and the vanilla. Keep it in the fridge until the filling mix is completed.
Place a pot with 3 inches of water in it on medium heat and bring to a simmer. Put a metal bowl on top of the pot with the simmering water.
Whisk together egg yolks, sugar (and Marsala wine if want to use it) in that bowl. Whisk constantly until the mixture has almost doubled in size. Make sure the mixture is warm so your eggs will get safely cooked. Eggs need to stay at 140°F (60°C) for at least 3 minutes to pasteurize (according to these instructions).
Add the mascarpone cheese to the mix. Whisk vigorously until the cheese has become homogeneous with the egg yolks. The mixture will be a little warm. Remove from heat.
Put the mixture into the fridge. It needs to cool down a little bit before you can fold the whipped cream.
When the mix has cooled, fold in the whipped cream. Keep it in the fridge until ready to assemble.
The ladyfingers
Take freshly brewed coffee, add the rum (if you want to use it) and sugar until dissolved.
Let it cool down, otherwise, you will burn your fingers dipping the cookies in it :)
Assembly
At this point, you will need your presentation dish. It can be a big bowl, a cup, a glass or a baking dish. Whatever your inspiration is at the moment!
Dip ladyfingers in the coffee soaking liquid just for a moment. Do not let it soak too much, otherwise, they will become soggy.
Place some of the soaked ladyfingers at the bottom of your dish or cup.
Gently spread some of the mascarpone cheese mixtures.
Sprinkle some cocoa powder.
Now, depending on the height of your dish, repeat the previous 3 steps until you reach the top of your dish or cup.
Finally, spread the whipped cream on top and sprinkle some more cocoa powder.
Notes
If you make this recipe ..... tag me @mel4skilletsandgames on Instagram and hashtag it #skilletsandpots.