Old School Tiramisù Recipes

TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Add the espresso to a large bowl. Dunk the ladyfingers into the espresso and then place on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour the remaining espresso over the ladyfingers and set aside to soak.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on high speed until they form soft peaks. Add 1/2 cup of the sugar and continue to beat on high until stiff peaks form. Transfer the egg whites to another bowl and set aside.
• Make a double boiler by fitting a large heatproof bowl over a simmering pot of water. Add the egg yolks, remaining 1 cup sugar and Marsala to the bowl. Whisk continually until the mixture is pale yellow and reaches the ribbon stage (it will be thick enough that when the whisk is lifted, the mixture will flow onto the surface and momentarily hold a ribbon pattern). Remove the bowl from the pot and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the mascarpone until fluffy. Fold the mascarpone into the cooled egg yolk mixture. Then, gently fold the yolk-and-mascarpone mixture into the egg whites.
• To assemble, in an individual serving glass, place a few spoonfuls of the tiramisu custard over the bottom. Break a soaked ladyfinger in half and place it on top of the custard. Add a few more spoonfuls of custard followed by another ladyfinger. Dust with shaved chocolate. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, making 8 servings. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

OLD-SCHOOL TIRAMISù

Steps:

• Lightly oil a 9x5" loaf pan and line with plastic wrap, leaving plenty of overhang. Whisk coffee, rum, salt, and 1 Tbsp. sugar in a shallow dish until sugar and salt dissolve. Chill until ready to use.
• Whisk cream and mascarpone in a medium bowl just until smooth. Set aside.
• Pour water into a large saucepan to come 2" up the sides and bring to a simmer. Combine egg yolks, remaining 1/3 cup sugar, and 2 Tbsp. water in a medium heatproof bowl. Set bowl over pan and reduce heat to low so water is at a bare simmer. Using an electric mixer (or a large whisk and a friend to fill in when your arm cramps), beat mixture on medium-high until eggs triple in volume and are extremely pale yellow and mixture forms a slowly dissolving ribbon when drizzled over itself in bowl, 5-7 minutes. Remove bowl from heat.
• Using clean beaters (or whisk), beat reserved cream mixture until medium peaks form. Add egg yolk mixture and gently fold until no streaks remain.
• Working one at a time, dip ladyfingers into chilled coffee mixture and let soak just long enough for them to soften, 1-2 seconds per side. Lay 8 cookies in prepared pan (it's okay to smush them in a bit). Spread one-third of filling over. Layer another 8 soaked ladyfingers on top and spread half of remaining filling over. Repeat layers one more time with remaining ladyfingers and filling. Cover pan with plastic wrap; chill tiramisù until firm, at least 6 hours and up to 12 hours (longer is better; you'll get cleaner slices and the layers will be fully set).
• Invert a small platter or a large plate over top of loaf pan, hold together tightly, and flip them over so plate is underneath. Set on a work surface and carefully remove pan. Peel away plastic wrap from tiramisù; discard. Generously dust tiramisù with cocoa powder. Serve in slices, dusting with more cocoa powder if desired.
• Do Ahead: Tiramisù (without cocoa powder) can be made 3 days ahead. Keep chilled.

CLASSIC TIRAMISU

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks with half the sugar until pale and doubled in volume (the mixture will maintain a "ribbon" when folded over itself), 3 to 5 minutes. Add the mascarpone in 2 or 3 additions, whisking well to combine. Add the liquor, if using, and whisk to combine.
• 2. In a clean bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and remaining sugar to soft peaks. Fold the egg whites into the mascarpone mixture in two or three additions.
• 3. In a roughly 6-by-9-inch casserole or plate with a border, spread about one third of the mascarpone cream into an even layer. Soak each individual cookie in the coffee and arrange them very tightly on top until the cream is completely covered. Spoon the remaining cream over the cookies, spreading it into an even layer.
• 4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days to set the cream. Just before serving, dust the top with cocoa powder.