Coffee and Marsala Tiramisu Cake

Tiramisu has been very popular since the 80’s and is now a classic Italian dessert on many restaurants menu. It is typically made with ladyfingers dipped in strong coffee, layered in a glass with a whipped mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone flavoured with Marsala then dusted with cocoa powder. The popularity of this dessert had to be made as a cake and here is the recipe I am using.

Ingredients serve 8 – 10

200 g cream cheese

400 g fresh cream

1 egg (50g)

50 g caster sugar

30 ml Marsala

4 g gelatin leaves

1 vanilla sponge (400g)

Coffee syrup

2 tbls instant coffee (10g)

80 ml boiling water

20 g sugar

30 ml Marsala wine

Method

Place gelatin leaves in a bowl with cold water. Place cream in a bowl and whisk with an electrical mixer until soft peak is reached and set aside. Place cream cheese in a second bowl and whisk until soft. Place egg and sugar in a third mixing bowl and whisk until light and creamy approx. 5 minutes. Squeeze the gelatin and discard the excess water. Heat the gelatin until melted and blend in the Marsala. Add this to the egg mixture and blend evenly. Pour this mixture into the cream cheese and whisk until combined. Fold the whipped cream into the cheese mix. Make the coffee syrup and slice the sponge in four layers. Place the bottom sponge layer on a plate and brush with coffee syrup. Place cream cheese filling evenly on top and place another sponge layer the filling. Continue with this process until each layer and filling is used. Leave to set covered in the fridge overnight. Decorate on top with dusted cocoa powder.

Note: You can use Mascarpone instead of cream cheese if you prefer.