Indulge with Bourbon Tiramisu

By Paige Rhodes

Photos by Paige Rhodes

By now, you’ve had a solid few months to keep your resolutions going and to excel in your fitness and nutrition goals. That means it’s time to treat yourself! What better way to do that than with an indulgent tiramisu? The layers of fluffy ladyfinger cookies soaked in a mixture of bourbon and espresso and topped with ultra-creamy mascarpone cream and a dusting of chocolate are perfect treat material, indeed.

Bourbon Tiramisu

Ingredients
3 large eggs, separated
3/4 cup sugar
1 8-ounce container mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup chilled heavy cream
2 cups espresso, cooled to room temperature
2 tablespoons bourbon
18 ladyfinger cookies
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting

Instructions
Beat together yolks and 1/2 cup of the sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until thick and pale, about 2 minutes. Beat in mascarpone until just combined.

Beat whites with a pinch of salt in another bowl with cleaned beaters until they just hold soft peaks. Add remaining 1/4 cup sugar a little at a time, beating, then continue to beat whites until they just hold stiff peaks. Beat cream in another bowl with cleaned beaters until it just holds soft peaks. Fold cream into mascarpone mixture gently but thoroughly, then fold in whites.

Stir together coffee and bourbon in a shallow bowl. Dip one ladyfinger in coffee mixture, soaking it for just a couple seconds on each side, and transfer to an 8-inch baking dish. Repeat with eight more ladyfingers and arrange in bottom of dish, trimming as needed to fit snugly. Spread half of mascarpone mixture evenly over ladyfingers. Make another layer in same manner with remaining ladyfingers and mascarpone mixture. Chill tiramisu, covered, at least six hours.

Dust with cocoa powder prior to serving.

See more recipes by Paige Rhodes on her website.