0.5cupAmaretto Italian almond liqueur - Disarorno recommended
1cupespressoor extra-strong coffee
24lady fingers7 ounce package
Instructions
Beat the egg yolks and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
Add the mascarpone to the egg yolks and mix until until well incorporated. Fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture just until combined.
Spread a layer of the mascarpone mixture on the bottom of a glass serving bowl (approx. 8" x 5") or a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
Sift cacao powder over mixture with a mesh sieve.
Pour the Amaretto and espresso into shallow bowls. Dip each lady finger, one by one, into the espresso then the Amaretto and place in a single layer on top of the mascarpone in the bowl.
Repeat the process of layering the mascarpone mixture, cacao powder, and lady fingers, finishing with a layer of mascarpone. You should have 4 or 5 layers when you are finished.
Alternate Method
Place a single layer of soaked lady finger on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the lady fingers, then top with remaining lady fingers and mascarpone.
Sprinkle with cacao powder and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 to 6 hours, or overnight.
Notes
You need to use Espresso, or really, really strong coffee for this dessert for the flavor to stand out over the mascarpone cheese.
Substitute dairy-free cream cheese for the mascarpone cheese if you need a dairy-free dessert.
This recipe contains raw eggs. Use the best quality eggs that you can, or pasteurized if you can find them. Do you eat raw cookie dough? Have you ever heard of anyone dying from eating raw cookie dough? No!
Not all lady fingers are the same. Some are hard and crunchy like Savoiardi ladyfingers, and some are soft and almost cake like. Dip/soak the lady fingers for 5 to 6 seconds for the hard type, and less for the soft ones. You don't want them falling apart as you are assembling your dessert.
If you do not like Amaretto, you can substitute Frangelico, Marsala wine, brandy, or leave out the alcohol all together and substitute pure vanilla extract.