Happy New Year 2012: Tiramisu

I must say, for not being a fan of coffee flavored anything, this turned out pretty tasty. It's not a strictly traditional tiramisu. I made it in a loaf pan. I used Kahlua only rather than espresso plus rum (again, not a coffee fan). Just seemed easier. Next time I would actually soak the ladyfingers in more of the Kahlua than the recipe calls for, as they were a bit too dry just being "drizzled." But overall the flavor was nice and the mascarpone layers are delicious -- and this from a woman who doesn't especially like tiramisu. :) For some reason, the ladyfingers were difficult to find. I had to look at three grocery stores and was on the verge of baking my own. I found them in the bakery department of the third and largest grocery store, next to the round shortcake shells.

The saran wrap pulled off some of the cocoa dusting on top. Alas.

Ingredients

• 6 egg yolks
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 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 (3 ounce) packages ladyfinger cookies
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until well blended. Whisk in milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Boil gently for 1 minute, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Cover tightly and chill in refrigerator 1 hour.
2. In a medium bowl, beat cream with vanilla until stiff peaks form. Whisk mascarpone into yolk mixture until smooth.
3. In a small bowl, combine coffee and rum. Split ladyfingers in half lengthwise and drizzle with coffee mixture.
4. Arrange half of soaked ladyfingers in bottom of a 7x11 inch dish. Spread half of mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers, then half of whipped cream over that. Repeat layers and sprinkle with cocoa. Cover and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours, until set.

Was cuter before the cocoa powder top cracked in transit to the plate.