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Tiramisu with Brandy Custard

4.6

(87)

"During parents' weekend at Bowdoin College here in Brunswick, a group of us went to Rachel's Wood Grill, a restaurant in nearby Portland," says Jennifer Buechner of Brunswick, Maine. "Dinner was great, but the tiramisù we had for dessert was out of this world. I'd love to serve it for a graduation dinner."

A perfect do-ahead dessert for a party.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 12 Servings

Ingredients

6 large eggs
1 1/3 cups sugar
5 tablespoons brandy
1 1/2 pounds mascarpone cheese*
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup instant espresso powder
3/4 cup chilled whipping cream
44 (about) crisp Italian ladyfinger cookies (from two 7-ounce packages)**
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Fill large bowl with ice water. Whisk eggs and 1/3 cup sugar in medium metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water. Whisk constantly until thermometer registers 160°F, about 10 minutes. Set custard over bowl of ice water and whisk until cool. Mix in brandy. Whisk mascarpone in another large bowl to loosen. Fold in custard. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to simmer in medium saucepan. Add 1 cup sugar and espresso powder; whisk until sugar dissolves. Mix in cream. Refrigerate until cold. Submerge 3 cookies in chilled espresso-cream mixture for 5 seconds. Place cookies on bottom of 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Working in batches, repeat with enough remaining cookies to just cover bottom of dish. Spread half of mascarpone mixture over cookies. Repeat soaking process with remaining cookies, placing them in single layer atop mascarpone mixture. Spread remaining mascarpone mixture over cookies. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.

    Step 2

    Whisk cocoa and powdered sugar in small bowl to blend. Sift sweetened cocoa over top of dessert. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)

  2. Step 3

    *Available at Italian markets and many supermarkets.

    Step 4

    **Available at Italian markets and some supermarkets.

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