"What's your favourite cake?" My youngest asked.
"Chocolate"; my husband said confidentally
"No. Cheesecake." My eldest smiled.
"Actually it's tiramisu - although technically tiramisu is not a cake".
The children looked confused.
"Then why do you always make chocolate cake? Or cheesecake?" From the husband who was not going to be proven wrong.
"Because, tiramisu is the best of both cakes!" I smiled coyly. "Wonderful chocolate and coffee in one. Delicious cream and cheese that goes into the other. Combined! In each bite!
Three expectant faces stared at me. I could almost read their minds. And so I baked. But not just any cake. One unique to my never-follow-the-recipe style. I baked the moist chocolate cake. However, instead of any chocolate topping I made a tiramisu topping. It was beyond my wildest cake imaginings.
Traditionally tiramisu includes ladyfingers dipped in a rum infused espresso. Then layered with a creamy, sweetened mascarpone and egg topping.You can, of course substitute the rum for amaretto or brandy - or ditch the alcohol altogether. I also ditch the sugar and substitute it for honey as a far healthier option.
The creamed Tiramisu topping is as follows:
500g mascarpone (I use my goats milk cream cheese)
3 eggs, separated
100ml honey
dash of vanilla
pinch salt
sprinkle of cacao powder
1 double tot brandy (optional)
Whisk the 3 egg whites with a pinch of salt. It needs to be firm and can take a few minutes to whisk. Separately; beat the egg yolks.
Add vanilla, honey and brandy to the egg yolks and beat well. Then slowly add in the mascarpone until creamy.
Fold the firm egg white into the yolk mix. It should be a delightfully smooth golden colour.
Instead of using espresso dipped ladyfingers I halved the moist chocolate cake I had already baked and chilled.
Spread a generous layer of tiramisu topping between the chocolate cake halves to make a sandwich. Then spread the rest of the tiramisu topping on the top of the cake.
Lastly dust a thick layer of cacao powder over the top. It is best to refrigerate overnight or at least for a couple hours to set.
Famously an Italian dessert with all sorts of dubious origins; Tiramisu, (tireme su) means 'pick me up' in the Treviso dialect. Which explains the alcoholic and caffeine combination in this incredibly decadent and undeniably delicious cake. Ummm....dessert. Either way. My tiramisu chocolate cake is by far the most scrumptious of all the cakes I regularly bake for my family. And it was made as an early birthday cake for my Mom! This delicious creation had all the flavours of Italy. Bon appetito fellow cake lovers!!
