Sometimes when I am flipping through a cooking magazine or shopping at the deli, I become delusional. I have ideas of grandeur. The all empowering feeling of absolute surety that “Yes! I can bake that 8 layer specialty cake and cater for 20 people in half a day, no problem!” or “Today I feel my cooking bug stirring. Sure I’ll make a lasagne, in fact several and a decadent dessert and a chutney and some pesto and a beautiful light salad and maybe even cook something and freeze for the weekend!” It is this totally unfounded, impossible notion that I can do all that in a heartbeat just because I feel like it, that is my bane.
So the savoiardi biscuits I bought in a moment of madness many months ago got pushed back to the dark recesses of the pantry. This happened when reality set in just after I had dragged the shopping bag from the deli in through the door, all weary from walking around, pledging to never cook again. It was this packet of moth eaten savoiardi biscuits I found many months later in a pantry cleaning and organising session that inspired me. I keep telling you I am weird, but you don’t believe me!
Now ideas of grandeur and inspiration are two very different things. Thankfully, I understand the difference very well. I act on inspiration not on ideas of grandeur. So I decided to make Tiramisu. Relax! I didn’t use the moth eaten packet. I called Nick at the soccer field and asked him to pick up a packet of Italian sponge fingers or “S-A-V-O-I-A-R-D-I” biscuits I yelled into the phone. After telling him exactly which aisle and shelf to find them I realised two things simultaneously. I need to find him a picture book of unusual ingredients so he can learn and I spend way too much time at the supermarket, if I know exactly where each item is stacked.
By the way Savoiardi are a sponge-like cookie originally from the Aosta Valley of Italy in the Alps, once known as the Duchy of Savoy. Once dipped in some yummy liquid like liqueur spiked juice, it swells and becomes sponge cake. Yep, magical little things!
For a coffee fanatic, lover of all things Italian and a dairy champion; Tiramisu has to be my favourite dessert. I can see you all shaking your heads in unison. You all love Tiramisu too, don’t you? There are only two Tiramisu recipes I follow. One is the Express Espresso Tia Maria Tiramisu and the other is this. One is a fast version and the other is a labour of love and patience. Today’s special occasion calls for a labour of love. This is my 200th post! Yessss!! My ramblings and shenanigans have spanned 200 articles on this blog and what better way to celebrate than with my favourite dessert.
I want to thank you all for reading what I write, for commenting, for writing in and showing your support. Seriously, that is what keeps me going .. delusional or not!
Click on Image For Full Resolution Recipe Card
[print_this]
Tiramisu
Preparation Time - 30 minutes
Chilling Time - 2 to 4 hours
Serves - 12
Ingredients
500g Sponge Fingers (Italian Savoiardi Biscuits)
500g mascarpone cheese
300ml pouring cream
1 cup strong espresso coffee
1 cup marsala or any strong, sweet liqueur
good quality cocoa powder for dusting
vanilla sugar for dusting (optional)
Method
Preheat oven to 200C. Just Kidding!! Don't do it. There is no baking required people. Doesn't this recipe just keep getting better?
To assemble the Tiramisu, you will need a 20cm long rectangular baking dish. In a large bowl whip together the mascarpone and pouring cream for a few minutes until fluffy and light. In a shallow large dish, combine the coffee and marsala. Mix well. (I made the coffee in a French press, 3-4 scoops in about 1 cup of water. Alternatively mix 3-4 teaspoons instant coffee in 1 cup of hot water)
Dip half the sponge fingers quickly in the coffee liquid and lay them at the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon half the cream mixture on top and level and smooth it. Dust with cocoa and vanilla sugar (if using).
Repeat by laying another layer of coffee mixture soaked sponge fingers on top of the cream. Cover and level with remaining cream. Dust with vanilla sugar and cocoa. Cover with cling wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
[/print_this]
Congrats on the 200th post! I hope you always remain a little delusional if the results are as beautiful as this! LOVED the recipe card--I haven't seen anything quite as elegant in a while. Yeah, I'm not going out much :P. But still. I designed some recipe cards for my blog sometime ago but mine were way too much of a disgrace! I could look through your blog for hours!
Thanks for your ever so sweet comments Saee. I am sure your recipe cards were great!
You are not delusional... What you are is incredibly talented and thoughtful. And that's why people read your beautiful site
Thank you Brian! Your kind words mean a lot!
How I do love Tiramisu and yours looks delicious!!
Congrats on your 200th post!
Dennis
Thank you for stopping by Dennis!
Congrats on the 200th post!! That looks so good!
Thanks Chinmayie!
Gorgeous clicks Sneh. And many congratulations on your 200th post.
Thanks Miss A! 🙂
i love tiramisu !! one of my fav desserts. love the props you've used. how did you get matching cloth :O 😉 congrats on your 200th post sneh 😀
just pure dumb luck. I've had that tea towel for some years and it seemed to go well with the rest of the shoot. Thanks Shruti!
Congrats on 200! 🙂 Gorgeous tiramisu. You did a lovely job.
Thank you kindly!
Congrats on your 200th post! It takes a lot to come this far and you've made it..beautiful clicks and yum treat...
Thanks Farwin. It has been a good run!
Great blog, congratulations on your 200th post!!!
Thanks Karo!
The tiramisu is lovely! Impeccable post with lovely & serene photos. Very much enjoy your blog. Congratulations on you 200th post!
Thanks very much Deb!
omg wow! I am featuring this on my fan page on facebook!
Why thank you Alison! Appreciate it 🙂
Congrats on your 200th post. The photographs are beautiful. Tiramisu even more so.
Congratulations on your 200th post! Your photos look very elegant. I think I shall put your Tiramisu on the Father's Day menu - it looks delicious.
Thanks Petra! ooh yum yum, if you are making it, I might drop by (just kidding). Have a Happy Father's Day!
Your version looks very moist and delicious! Congratulations on your 200th post!! Your photography is pretty incredible too to say the least 🙂
Thank you so much!
We all love tiramisu. this one is an epic already and I will surely try this.
200 posts, yay! I agree, sending your partner to the supermarket is big training in patience. Tiramisu is one of my favourite desserts ever.
Thanks Gaby! Hopefully it gets better with practice, lol
oh la la can I have a slice looks amazing and such romantic pictures
You absolutely can Reb!
Can't wait to give tiramisu a try! 🙂
Looks delicious congrats on your 200th post! 😀 Yay!
200th blog, Congratulations! I have just started following you, this looks absolutely whimsical, I love the romance in your shots.
Thanks Cassandra! Love whimsy, I try 🙂
Not delusional at all... or am I just making myself feel better for sharing the same thoughts as you? Of COURSE I have 27 hours in a day to create everything I want to create...
Anyway I chuckled through this post - really nicely written and the recipe, of course, looks delicious. Tiramisu is such a celebratory dish.
he he thanks Yasmeen! Of COURSE we have all that extra time, absolutely!!
Thank you all for your lovely comments!
I love Tiramisu! All time hit at parties and potlucks. Love your clicks, looks absolutly yummy :-)!