INGREDIENTS
6 large egg yolks
6½ oz. bourbon, divided
6 oz. sugar
1 lb. mascarpone cheese (let rest at room temperature for 1 hour)
5 g. gelatin, bloomed and set aside
2 cups heavy cream, whipped to medium peaks and set aside
30 ladyfingers
4 oz. double-strength coffee
Cocoa powder to taste
PREPARATION
• First, make the mascarpone mousse: In a medium heat-proof mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks and 2œ ounces of bourbon and whisk to combine. Add the sugar and mix.
• Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and whisk constantly until the mixture becomes a pale yellow and doubles in volume.
• Remove the bowl from the heat and transfer the mixture to an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk the mixture until it has cooled to room temperature.
• In a separate mixing bowl, stir the mascarpone cheese to loosen it.
• Gradually add the egg yolk mixture to the cheese.
• In a separate bowl, gently melt the bloomed gelatin with one-fourth of the cheese mixture.
• Combine this cheese-gelatin mixture back into the cheese mixture.
• Fold half of the whipped cream into the cheese mixture. Stir to combine. Repeat with the remaining half until fully combined. Set the mascarpone mousse aside.
• Now, prepare the tiramisu: Layer the bottom of a medium dish with one-third of the mascarpone mousse. Spread it into an even layer.
• Dip one side of the ladyfinger in the strong coffee. Dip the other side in the remaining 4 ounces of bourbon.
• Fill the pan from edge to edge in a single layer with the soaked ladyfingers.
• Spread another third of the mascarpone mousse over the first layer of ladyfingers.
• Top with a second layer of soaked ladyfingers.
• Lastly, take the remaining third of the mascarpone mousse and spread it over the second layer of soaked ladyfingers.
• When ready to serve, gently sift cocoa powder over the top.
This article appears in April 2012.