My First Tiramisu Attempt... / Daring Bakers February 2010 Challenge


I have no more reason to postpone making Tiramisu. This is my first Tiramisu and I'm sure it will not be the last one. It tastes really good!  When I read the challenge for Februrary was Tiramisu, I had two immediate thoughts: first I was so happy because I love Tiramisu so much but never tried it before, and the second thought was "oupps, this will not be an easy challenge for me!".  I was lucky since I had one week off from work, so I managed to complete the task a few days ago instead of last minute as I was expecting.  It took me almost 4 days to finish my Tiramisu, first I started making those lovely savoiardi biscuits, then mascarpone cheese, zabaglione, and finally pastry cream and whipped cream.



The Daring Kitchen

The February 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was brought to us by Aparna of My Diverse Kitchen and Deeba of Passionate About Baking and they chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ everywhere to bake and assemble a Tiramisu from scratch. They chose Baltimore pastry chef Carminantonio Iannaccone’s version of tiramisu and recipes from The Washington Post, Cordon Bleu at Home and Baking Obsession. Their recipe called for the following components:
-Zabaglione
-Mascarpone
-Whipped cream
-Pastry cream
-Savoiardi biscuits
And we were asked to make every component of Tiramisu with the given recipes. I just followed the recipes instructions, they are well detailed and easy to follow.  Thank you Deeba and Aparna for this lovely challenge.  I really enjoyed it.
Here is the recipe of Tiramisu as given to us by Deeba and Aparna:

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
  • A double boiler (a stainless steel bowl that fits inside a large saucepan/ pot without touching the bottom will do)
  • Two or three large mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • A medium sized heavy bottomed pan
  • Fine meshed strainer (to remove lumps from pastry cream, if any)
  • Electric mixer, hand held
  • Serving dish (or dishes) of choice (8" by 8" should be fine)
  • Spatula for folding and spoons as required
  • Plastic wrap/ clingfilm
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper or nonstick liners
  • Pastry bag (can be disposable)
  • Plain 3/4" pastry bag tip or cut the end of pastry bag to this size (If you don’t have a pastry bag and/or tips, you can use a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off)
  • Oven
  • Cooling rack
  • Thin-bladed spatula for removing ladyfinger biscuits from the baking sheets
  • Instant-read thermometer (optional)
  • Strainer
  • Cheesecloth or cotton napkin for draining mascarpone
  • Fine-mesh strainer for shaking cocoa powder on tiramisu
TIRAMISU

(Recipe source: Carminantonio's Tiramisu from The Washington Post, July 11 2007 )
This recipe makes 6 servings.

Recipe, adapted from  The Daring Kitchen

Ingredients:

1- LADYFINGERS/ SAVOIARDI BISCUITS 
(I took pictures while making thes delicious biscuits)

 
(Source: Recipe from Cordon Bleu At Home)
This recipe makes approximately 24 big ladyfingers or 45 small (2 1/2" to 3" long) ladyfingers.

(I put some cream of tartar once the whites are foamy and sprinkled some caster sugar over the biscuits as well as the confectioner sugar.  In fact, I put more caster sugar than the confectioner one.  I used white eggs kept at room temperature for a few hours.) 

Ingredients:

-3 eggs, separated
-6 tablespoons /75gms granulated sugar
-3/4 cup/95gms cake flour, sifted (or 3/4 cup all purpose flour + 2 tbsp corn starch)
-6 tablespoons /50gms confectioner's sugar,

Method:

1-Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C) degrees, then lightly brush 2 baking sheets with oil or softened butter and line with parchment paper.

2-Beat the egg whites using a hand held electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gradually add granulate sugar and continue beating until the egg whites become stiff again, glossy and smooth.
3-In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks lightly with a fork and fold them into the meringue, using a wooden spoon.
4-Sift the flour over this mixture and fold gently until just mixed.
5- It is important to fold very gently and not overdo the folding. Otherwise the batter would deflate and lose volume resulting in ladyfingers which are flat and not spongy.
6-Fit a pastry bag with a plain tip (or just snip the end off; you could also use a Ziploc bag) and fill with the batter. Pipe the batter into 5" long and 3/4" wide strips leaving about 1" space in between the strips. Sprinkle half the confectioner's sugar over the ladyfingers and wait for 5 minutes. The sugar will pearl or look wet and glisten. Now sprinkle the remaining sugar. This helps to give the ladyfingers their characteristic crispness.
7-Hold the parchment paper in place with your thumb and lift one side of the baking sheet and gently tap it on the work surface to remove excess sprinkled sugar.

8-Bake the ladyfingers for 10 minutes, then rotate the sheets and bake for another 5 minutes or so until the puff up, turn lightly golden brown and are still soft.
9-Allow them to cool slightly on the sheets for about 5 minutes and then remove the ladyfingers from the baking sheet with a metal spatula while still hot, and cool on a rack.

10-Store them in an airtight container till required. They should keep for 2 to 3 weeks.

For the zabaglione:

(Instead of Marsala wine, I mixed 60ml of water water with 2 tablespoon of freeze and dried instant coffee)
-2 large egg yolks
-3 tablespoons sugar/50gms
-1/4 cup/60ml Marsala wine (or port or coffee)
-1/4 teaspoon/ 1.25ml vanilla extract
-1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

For the zabaglione:

Heat water in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, place a pot with about an inch of water in it on the stove. Place a heat-proof bowl in the pot making sure the bottom does not touch the water.
In a large mixing bowl (or stainless steel mixing bowl), mix together the egg yolks, sugar, the Marsala (or espresso/ coffee), vanilla extract and lemon zest. Whisk together until the yolks are fully blended and the mixture looks smooth.

Transfer the mixture to the top of a double boiler or place your bowl over the pan/ pot with simmering water. Cook the egg mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 8 minutes or until it resembles thick custard. It may bubble a bit as it reaches that consistency.
Let cool to room temperature and transfer the zabaglione to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, until thoroughly chilled.
After 4 hours
For the vanilla pastry cream:

(I forgot to take a picture of my pastry cream.  This recipe is perfect and I will use it anytime I need Pastry Cream).

-1/4 cup/55gms sugar
-1 tablespoon/8gms all purpose flour
-1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
-1/2 teaspoon/ 2.5ml vanilla extract
-1 large egg yolk
-3/4 cup/175ml whole milk

For the pastry cream:

Mix together the sugar, flour, lemon zest and vanilla extract in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. To this add the egg yolk and half the milk. Whisk until smooth. Now place the saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from curdling.  Add the remaining milk a little at a time, still stirring constantly. After about 12 minutes the mixture will be thick, free of lumps and beginning to bubble. (If you have a few lumps, don’t worry. You can push the cream through a fine-mesh strainer.)
Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic film and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, until thoroughly chilled.

For the whipped cream:

-1 cup/235ml chilled heavy cream (we used 25%)
-1/4 cup/55gms sugar
-1/2 teaspoon/ 2.5ml vanilla extract

For the whipped cream:

Combine the cream, sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric hand mixer or immersion blender until the mixture holds stiff peaks. Set aside.

MASCARPONE CHEESE

(Source: Vera’s Recipe for Homemade Mascarpone Cheese)
This recipe makes 12oz/ 340gm of mascarpone cheese

(At first I was intimidated by this recipe, but having no choice, I gave it a try and was not sure how it will turn out.  The texture was perfect, so delicious! I was really pleased!).
 
Ingredients:

474ml (approx. 500ml)/ 2 cups whipping (36 %) pasteurized (not ultra-pasteurized), preferably organic cream (between 25% to 36% cream will do)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Method:

Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a wide skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low so the water is barely simmering. Pour the cream into a medium heat-resistant bowl, then place the bowl into the skillet. Heat the cream, stirring often, to 190 F. If you do not have a thermometer, wait until small bubbles keep trying to push up to the surface.

It will take about 15 minutes of delicate heating. Add the lemon juice and continue heating the mixture, stirring gently, until the cream curdles. Do not expect the same action as you see during ricotta cheese making. All that the whipping cream will do is become thicker, like a well-done crème anglaise. It will cover a back of your wooden spoon thickly. You will see just a few clear whey streaks when you stir. Remove the bowl from the water and let cool for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, line a sieve with four layers of dampened cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Transfer the mixture into the lined sieve. Do not squeeze the cheese in the cheesecloth or press on its surface (be patient, it will firm up after refrigeration time). Once cooled completely, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate (in the sieve) overnight or up to 24 hours.
Vera’s notes: The first time I made mascarpone I had all doubts if it’d been cooked enough, because of its custard-like texture. Have no fear, it will firm up beautifully in the fridge, and will yet remain lusciously creamy.
Keep refrigerated and use within 3 to 4 days.
To assemble the tiramisu:

-2 cups/470ml brewed espresso, warmed
-1 teaspoon/5ml rum extract (optional)
-1/2 cup/110gms sugar
-1/3 cup/75gms mascarpone cheese
-36 savoiardi/ ladyfinger biscuits (you may use less)
-2 tablespoons/30gms unsweetened cocoa powder

To assemble the tiramisu:

Have ready a rectangular serving dish (about 8" by 8" should do) or one of your choice.
Mix together the warm espresso, rum extract and sugar in a shallow dish, whisking to mix well. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese with a spoon to break down the lumps and make it smooth. This will make it easier to fold. Add the prepared and chilled zabaglione and pastry cream, blending until just combined. Gently fold in the whipped cream. Set this cream mixture aside.
Now to start assembling the tiramisu.
Workings quickly, dip 12 of the ladyfingers in the sweetened espresso, about 1 second per side. They should be moist but not soggy. Immediately transfer each ladyfinger to the platter, placing them side by side in a single row. You may break a lady finger into two, if necessary, to ensure the base of your dish is completely covered.
Spoon one-third of the cream mixture on top of the ladyfingers, then use a rubber spatula or spreading knife to cover the top evenly, all the way to the edges.
Repeat to create 2 more layers, using 12 ladyfingers and the cream mixture for each layer. Clean any spilled cream mixture; cover carefully with plastic wrap and refrigerate the tiramisu overnight.
To serve, carefully remove the plastic wrap and sprinkle the tiramisu with cocoa powder using a fine-mesh strainer or decorate as you please. Cut into individual portions and serve.
Mamatkamal


Comments

Nadji said…
Khadija mon amie, pour un premier tiramisu, c'est une réussite.
Je le fais en moins élaboré. Et c'est vrai que c'est très bon.
Concernant les prix que je reçois, je n'ai pas si bonne mémoire que ça : pour ne blesser personne, j'ai ouvert un dossier spécial prix et dès que j'en reçois, je l'enregistre avec le nom de la personne qui me l'as envoyé.
Malgré ça, j'ai un prix orphelin et je n'ai aucune idée de qui me l'a donné.
Il va falloir que je cherche.
A bientôt.
Oumsara Ilham said…
tbarkellah 3lik mamatkamal et maachallah 3lik,dima mbar3ana,allah ye3tik assaha hbiba
Sarah said…
Congratulations on your wonderful tiramisu! Your mascarpone looks great. Mine was too runny!
Josée Roy said…
Bonjour Mamatkamal, tu es épatante, je te lève mon chapeau ma chère.
Il est tellement beau et semble léger comme un nuage, je fond devant tes photos.

Passe une belle journée, moi je vais rêver de ce Tiramisu.
Josée xx
YOur Tiramisu looks very nice. I'm glad you liked it so much.
Thanks for baking with us.
The Hyper Cook said…
Hey MamatKamal,

Tbarkallah alik lalla. That looks super delicious. I LOVE Tiramisu, but I can never dare making it.

I hope you won the challenge:)Thanks for the recipe!!
Laura in Paris said…
You're a master! Thw biscuits cuiller are perfect! I wish I could help myslef to this tiramisu!
Arlette said…
Marhaba my friend
what a beautiful Cake a true master piece . I am glad that you got the time to try it at home... I liked the recipe as well, I've been using a lighter version.
I didnt assemble my cake yet...
Your tiramisu turned out beautiful. Great job on your challenge. I love the addition of the chocolate hearts.

Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go
Hayley said…
Hi
you have done great job here..Tiramisu looks awesome and mouthwatering..glad you took challenge...love the hearts!!
tasteofbeirut said…
Ce tiramisu est une merveille! J'aime surtout le soin avec lequel ont ete confectionne les biscuits savoyards.
Bisous.
QIS said…
your tiramisu looks great! love the little hearts around the cake. thank you Mamatkamal because included all the photos on making this. Tiramisu has always been one of my favorite desserts but..i have never tried my hands on this. :P
Barbara Bakes said…
Great job on this challenge! You got such nice clean cuts! It's gorgeous!
Anjum said…
Your mascarpone looks fabulous.I loved it.
Do drop by at http://anjuskitchentreasures.blogspot.com/
Nina said…
Beautiful presentation! Compliments!
Have a lovely Sunday! XO
fimere said…
ton tiramisu est à se damner, parfait
j'ai un prix pour toi sur mon blog
bonne journée
Deeba PAB said…
Bonjour Mamat. Well done on the challenge. So glad you enjoyed it. Love the hearts; it looks so good!
Katy ~ said…
This is, without any question in my mind, the most perfect tiramisu I have ever seen. My friend, I think your light shines the brightest! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Katy ~ said…
Oh! I meant to tell you, I went to the King Arthur store yesterday and purchased a French bread pan. I looked at the baguette pans, but baguettes are not a bread we eat and would be an extravagance that I cannot justify right now. I am very excited about using the pan; now I just need to find the time to make bread, grins.
Alessandra said…
The Tiramisù is an Italian dessert typical of the city where I live Treviso.
Very beautiful!
Shabs.. said…
Hi, just stumbled upon ur blog today....u have a whole bunch of recipes in here....loved ur tiramisu....looks so yummy.....craving for some now:)
Loving ur tiramisu and for a first timer ur way way good.....beautifully turned and wanna dig in right away....
Sushma Mallya said…
wow thats so beuatiful and really worth your efforts...
Unknown said…
Well done on climbing the mountain that was this DB challenge! I like your chocolate hearts.
ARUNA said…
that's a great effort n i really think its nicely done.
Unknown said…
bonsoir khadija .c est fantastique ta tiramissu .je l ai bien adore .
bravo .pour le decor et pour la presentation
compliments et gros bisous

j etais sans internet . ma chere voila pourquoi je n ai pas passe .

un bisous aux enfants .
Nadji said…
Khadija, mon amie, c'est toujours un plaisir de te lire.
je t'embrasse.
Anonymous said…
Mamat Kamal:

You are a talented woman. TbarkALLAH 3aleek. Nice recipes, Wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Good weekend,

H
et bien pour une première c'est superbe!!! Bravo!!!
Michael said…
That is one good tiramisu you made! Great pictures too. I have tried following your recipe and it was perfect. My daughter loved my tiramisu, and the texture is awesome. It also went really well with a cup of espresso coffee Thanks a lot!