Tiramisu for Two (or Three)
By America's Test KitchenPublished on April 1, 2024
Time
40 minutes, plus 6 hours chilling
Yield
Serves 2
Ingredients
Before You Begin
Be sure to use hard, not soft, ladyfingers. Brandy or whiskey can be substituted for the rum. You will need a 3-cup baking dish (measuring approximately 7¼ by 5¼ inches) or dish of a similar size for this recipe. Do not allow the mascarpone to warm to room temperature before using it or it may curdle.
Instructions
- Stir water, espresso powder, and 1 tablespoon rum together in shallow dish until espresso dissolves; set aside.
- Using hand-held mixer set at low speed, beat egg yolks in large bowl until just combined, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high, add sugar and salt, and beat until pale yellow, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add remaining 1 tablespoon rum and beat until combined, 15 to 30 seconds. Reduce speed to low, add mascarpone, and beat until no lumps remain, 15 to 30 seconds.
- Using hand-held mixer set at medium-low speed, beat cream in small bowl until frothy, about 1 minute. Increase speed to high and beat until stiff peaks form, 1 to 3 minutes. Using rubber spatula, stir one-third of whipped cream into mascarpone mixture, then add remaining whipped cream and gently fold into mascarpone mixture until no white streaks remain.
- Working with one at a time, drop half of ladyfingers into espresso mixture, roll to coat, remove, and transfer to 7¼ by 5¼-inch baking dish. (Do not submerge ladyfingers in espresso mixture; entire process should take no longer than 2 to 3 seconds for each cookie.) Arrange soaked cookies in single layer in dish, breaking or trimming ladyfingers as necessary to fit.
- Spread half of mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers with spatula, spreading mixture to sides and into corners of dish, then smooth surface. Place 1½ teaspoons cocoa in fine-mesh strainer and dust cocoa over mascarpone mixture.
- Repeat dipping and arrangement with remaining ladyfingers; spread remaining mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers and dust with remaining 1½ teaspoons cocoa. Wipe edges of dish clean with paper towel. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Sprinkle with grated chocolate, if using, and serve chilled. (Tiramisu can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.)
Time
40 minutes, plus 6 hours chillingYield
Serves 2Ingredients
Ingredients
Ingredients
Why This Recipe Works
Tiramisu features delicate ladyfingers soaked in a spiked coffee mixture and layered with a sweet, creamy filling. To scale it down, we used a cup of mascarpone lightened with some cream and just a tablespoon of dark rum. Soaking the ladyfingers in a mixture of water, instant espresso powder and rum achieved the ideal saturated texture. A sprinkling of cocoa and grated chocolate made for an elegant finish.
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