Tiramisu

Hands-on: 45 min. 2 hr.45 mi

We like our coffee uberstrong here-you can also substitute 1.5 cups strong brewed coffee mixed with a tablespoon of instant expresso.

Ingredients

1.5 cup of water

½   cup ground dark roast coffee

½   cup sugar, divided

3     large egg yolks

 2    tablespoons kahlua (coffee-flavored liqueur),divide

5     large egg whites

2     tablespoon water

8     ounce 1/3-less-fats cream cheese, softened

2      ounces mascarpone cheese, softened

24    crisp Savoyard ladyfingers   (1[7-ounce] package)

¾     ounce bittersweet chocolate, finely grated

Preparation

1.       Bring  1½  cups of water to a boil, and remove from heat. Add coffee, cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain through a cheese cloth-lined sieve into a medium bowl, discard solid .cover and refrigerate until needed.

2.       Combine ¼ cup sugar, egg yolk and 1 tablespoon kahlua in top of a double boiler, string well with a whisk . cook over simmering water, whisking constantly, until thick and candy thermometer registers 60 degrees (about 9 minutes). Remove from heat, refrigerate 10 minutes.

3.       Place egg white in the bowl, beat with a mixture until medium peaks form. Combine the remaining ¼ cup sugar and 2 tabletspoon of water in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cook without stirring  until the candy thermometer reads 250 degrees .with mixer on low speed carefully pour hot  syrup over egg whites gradually increase the speed to high, beat for 2 minutes or until stiff peaks form (do not over mix)

4.       Combine egg yolk mixture, cream, cheese, and mascarpone cheese in a large bowl, and beat with a mixture at a medium speed until smooth. Gently stir one-fourth of egg white mixture into cream cheese mixture, gently fold remaining egg white mixture into cream cheese mixture.

5.       Add remaining 1 tablespoon kahlua to coffee. Quickly dip 12 ladyfingers into coffee mixture, arrange in the bottom of an 11*7-inch baking dish. Spread a half cream cheese mixture over lady fingers. Sprinkle with a half of chocolate. Repeat procedure with the remaining lady fingers, coffee mixture, and cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.