JEFF SMITH'S TIRAMISU

Source: "Frugal Gourment Cooks Italian" by Jeff Smith

FILLING

1/2 c Espresso or:
Triple-strength coffee, at room temperature
1/2 c Sugar
1/4 c Brandy
2 Egg yolks
1 lb Mascarpone cheese
1/2 lb Package Ladyfingers
4 oz Semisweet chocolate, shaved

ICING

1 c Fresh whipping cream
1/4 ts Vanilla
2 tb Powdered sugar

GARNISHES

Cocoa powder, for dusting
Shaved chocolate

Line the inside of a loaf pan with large sheet wax paper if possible use another loaf pan to better shape it, be careful not to tear.

Stir espresso, sugar and brandy in mixing bowl until sugar dissolved. Reserve 1/3Cup. Whisk egg yolks into this and add the cheese and whisk until smooth.

One at a time, soak ladyfingers in reserved coffee, (don't oversoak,) place them crosswise in pan, they will expand and will fall apart if too heavily soaked. You may have to trim them, make layer in bottom of pan.

Spread on half cheese mixture then half of the shaved chocolate. Then another layer of ladyfingers rest of cheese and chocolate, then last layer of ladyfingers, bringing up the flaps of wax paper. Wrap pan in plastic wrap and refrigerate 6 hours. Invert pan on serving platter tapping bottom to remove loaf. Remove the paper. In mixing bowl whip icing ingridents til stiff. Spread over cake in attractive manner. Dust top of cake sprinkle with chocolate if desired. Slice and serve.

Yield: 8 servings