Tiramisu(Italian dessert)

This is a very easy dessert and a very delicious one too..I first tasted it in one potluck and have been a big fan of this ever since. I make two versions of this-one for adults and one for kids. Kids love them too..

Ingredients

1. 2 packets of italian lady fingers
2. 1 mascarpone cheese
3. 1 to 2 tsp vanilla essence
4.1 to 2 cups whipped cream
5. 2 cups brewed coffee(just warm the water and mix 1 or 2 tbsp of instant coffee powder if you are not able to get brewed coffee)
6. 1/4th cup rum(optional)- when making for kids ,you can skip this.
7.1/2 cup sugar(you can vary according to the sweetness you want)

8.cocoa powder, drinking chocolate powder(kids)
9. A square cake pan or a glass dish where you can assemble and arrange Tiramisu

Method

1. First mix the coffee and rum together.  Then in a mixing bowl, take the mascarpone cheese, whipped cream,sugar and vailla essence and mix very well. Use a whisk.

2.Separate the lady fingers. Take one by one and slighly dip it in the above mix. If u dip it more it becomes soggy. After dipping in the coffee, keep it in the cake pan. Do it till the bottom of the pan is covered. This is the first layer.
I havent covered the entire pan since I was making it for the first time and i didn't have enough lady fingers.

3. Spread half of the cream mixture over the lady fingers. This is the second layer.

4. Then using a sieve spread cocoa powder over the cream mixture. I use a mix of cocoa powder and drinking chocolate powder for the kids.

5. Repeat the 2,3.4 steps one more time. i.e one top of this chocolate layer, again arrange one layer of lady fingers, then spread cheese mixture, and spread  chocolate powder.

I took this picture when I made it the next time :-)

6. Now cover this with a foil or a plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours. Then cut it nto square pieces and garnish with nuts or fruits of your choice while serving. Keep it refrigerated till serving.

you can see the layers and texture in this picture. Hope you enjoy making it.