Classic Tiramisu

Everyone has a memory of the first time they had tiramisu - Italian for "pick me up." This recipe is a simple, wonderfully easy way to remember why you fell in love with tiramisu in the first place. You can prepare the adult version, with coffee liqueur, or a kid-friendly version with chocolate milk.

Ingredients:

1 package of ladyfingers
2 cups of mascarpone cheese
5 eggs, separated in yolk and whites
3/4 cups of sugar
2 cups of espresso
Pinch of salt
Coffee liqueur to taste (optional) OR chocolate milk (kids version)
Unsweetened cocoa powder

Preparation:

1. To a large bowl add the egg yolks and the sugar. Whisk until the mixture is pale yellow and double in size.

2. Add the mascarpone and mix well. When done, set aside.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt, until you have soft peaks.

4. Add the egg whites to the yolk-sugar-mascarpone mixture, and fold. Make sure all is well mixed, without losing volume.

ASSEMBLY:

5. To a bowl add the espresso and as much or as little of the coffee liquor as you like. If you would like to make a child friendly version, use up to 2 cups of chocolate milk instead of coffee and liquor.

6. Dip each lady finger in the espresso mixture and line your pan with it.

7. Add some of the egg-mascarpone mixture and create an even layer.

8. Do those last two steps multiple times until you reach the top of you dish, making sure the marscapone mixture is the last layer on top.

9. Dust the tiramisu with cocoa powder, and place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving.