Inspired by classic tiramisu, this is a slightly less indulgent version that uses home-made chocolate sponge for the base instead of sponge fingers, and has white chocolate in the mascarpone to add a lovely sweetness. With all that extra chocolate, it’s a guaranteed good one for the girls.
Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Grease and line a large shallow tray (approximately 25cm by 40cm).
In a large bowl, use an electric hand whisk to whiz the sugar and eggs together for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small pan on a medium heat, then fold it through the sugar and egg mixture with a spatula. Sieve the flour and cocoa powder into the bowl and carefully fold the mixture together in a figure of eight motion. Once combined, spread the cake mixture across your prepared tray so it’s about 1cm thick. Cook for 10 minutes, or until firm and springy to the touch. Leave to cool.
Meanwhile, smash the white chocolate and add it to a glass bowl with milk. Sit it over a pan of gently simmering water, making sure the water doesn’t touch the base of the bowl, and leave to melt, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Leave to cool a little.
Carefully mix the mascarpone with the caster sugar, egg yolk and vin santo. Once combined, fold through the melted white chocolate. The sponge should be fairly cool by now, so tear it into chunks and use it to cover the base of a 20cm by 30cm serving dish in a double layer (don’t worry if it breaks up). Sprinkle over the Tia Maria and drizzle with the espresso and leave those to soak in for a couple of minutes.
Spoon the mascarpone mixture over the top, spreading it out in a fairly even layer. Dust the whole thing with a little cocoa powder, then scatter with some shavings of dark chocolate, if you like. Pop in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
ingredients
for the sponge
• 110g caster sugar
• 4 large eggs, preferably free-range or organic
• 50g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
• 85g plain flour
• 30g cocoa powder
for the topping
• 100g good-quality white chocolate
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 250g mascarpone
• 30g caster sugar
• 1 large egg yolk, preferably free-range or organic
• 30ml vin santo (or sweet dessert wine)
• a splash of Tia Maria
• 50ml espresso coffee
• cocoa powder, for dusting
• optional: good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), for shaving
tried this recipe or a similar one? share your tips...
1. by Silma on Wed 15 Feb 2012 @ 09:52
I made this one yesterday. It was absolutely awesome! The best Tiramisu ever! The baked sponge is so much better than sponge fingers and the melted white chocolate in the mascarpone tastes like heaven :)...
2. by Nadia on Sat 11 Feb 2012 @ 08:01
i can't wait to make this!thanks!
3. by Ritacooksitalian on Fri 10 Feb 2012 @ 10:35
I am Italian and this is one of my favorite desserts. I confess that I never baked the sponge for my tiramisú (I use sponge fingers!). Now I feel inspired to bake the chocolate sponge for the base using this recipe. I run out of Vin Santo, but I have a good Marsala Dolce (sweet liquor). Rita
4. by peteformation on Fri 10 Feb 2012 @ 01:10
Good classic tiramisu recipe......now I will need to find Vin santo at my local stores...<br />
<br />
http://peteformation.blogspot.com
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I made this one yesterday. It was absolutely awesome! The best Tiramisu ever! The baked sponge is so much better than sponge fingers and the melted white chocolate in the mascarpone tastes like heaven :)...
i can't wait to make this!thanks!
I am Italian and this is one of my favorite desserts. I confess that I never baked the sponge for my tiramisú (I use sponge fingers!). Now I feel inspired to bake the chocolate sponge for the base using this recipe. I run out of Vin Santo, but I have a good Marsala Dolce (sweet liquor). Rita
Good classic tiramisu recipe......now I will need to find Vin santo at my local stores...<br /> <br /> http://peteformation.blogspot.com