MARIA'S TIRAMISU ALLA NAPOLI

Maria's Tiramisu alla Napoli image

This is a VERY special recipe that was given to me by a friend Maria a chef from Naples, Italy about 25 years ago. Every time she made this dessert I would ask her for the recipe, and she would always give me the same answer, "one day when the day comes". Maria passed away a few years ago and at her celebration of life her husband Sal gave me an envelope and said "Maria told me to give you this". Low and behold, it was her recipe, for this delicious and beautiful treat in Italian! Good thing I speak and read Italian because if not I wouldn't have been able to replicate it! And of course the STEPS! This was also one of my husband's late Uncle Thom's favorite too! Enjoy this wonderfully light and delicious treat!

Provided by R C @rosycalvin

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

LADYFINGERS
6 medium eggs, separated
1/4 cup(s) granulated sugar, plus 1/4 cup
1 cup(s) cake flour, sifted
- melted butter, for brushing pan
MASCARPONE CREAM
6 medium egg yolks
1 cup(s) granulated sugar
1/4 cup(s) marsala wine
1/4 cup(s) brandy
2 pound(s) mascarpone cheese
ESPRESSO SYRUP
1 cup(s) espresso coffee, hot
3 tablespoon(s) brown sugar
1 tablespoon(s) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon(s) fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon(s) madagascar pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup(s) bittersweet chocolate, shaved (preferably ghiradelli)

Steps:

LADYFINGERS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Butter a 12 by 16-inch baking tray. Line with parchment paper and brush again with butter. 3. In a mixing bowl, whip the egg yolks with 1/4 cup sugar until ribbony and light in color. Reserve. 4. In another mixing bowl, whip the egg whites to soft peaks. Slowly ass the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and continue to whip to medium peaks. Sift the flour again. With a rubber spatula, fold half of the flour mixture into the yolk mixture. Fold in 1/2 of the egg white mixture. Then fold in the remaining 1/2 flour mixture. 5. Lastly, fold in the remaining 1/2 egg white mixture. Pour the batter into the prepared baking tray and with an offset spatula, carefully spreading the batter to fill the tray. 6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until done and golden in color. 7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. Note: Use as needed. This can be made up to 2 weeks in advance, wrapped in plastic wrap and foil and stored in the freezer.
MASCARPONE CREAM: 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. 2. Add the Marsala and brandy. 3. Place over a double-boiler and cook until mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Continue to cook mixture for another 5 minutes, until the mixture resembles a thick paste (this is a sabayon). 4. Remove from the double-boiler and cool over ice bath, until room temperature. 5. Whip the mascarpone cheese to soft peaks. 6. Fold into the cooled sabayon until well incorporated. Use as layers in the tiramisu. Note: Can be made up to 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate.
ESPRESSO SYRUP: 1. Brew fresh espresso. 2. To 1 cup of hot espresso, add the brown sugar, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract. 3. Stir until dissolved.
ASSEMBLY: 1. Divide the sheet of ladyfingers into 2 (8 by 10 inch) sheets. 2. Divide espresso syrup into 2 portions. 3. Divide the mascarpone cream into 3 portions. TO ASSEMBLE: 1. Spread the first portion of the mascarpone cream at the bottom of a deep (8 by 10 inch) mold topped with 1 sheet of ladyfinger. 2. Pour 1 portion of the espresso syrup on to layer of ladyfinger until soaked. 3. Repeat process. 4. Lastly, top with remaining mascarpone cream and cover with shaved chocolate. 5. Cover mold with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. ENJOY!