COOKING AT HOME: Easy Eggless Tiramisu (sans alcohol)

I made a "true" tiramisu once, with the raw egg and everything — it was fantastic — came out absolutely delicious. The only problem is it takes a bit of courage for me to eat anything with raw egg in it. I better be darn sure those eggs are good, this is the apprehension I go through when I'm the one eating it. When it comes to feeding guests... I don't want to risk getting everyone sick with raw egg. So I looked for a tiramisu recipe that was eggless — I found one. But, it wasn't 100% what I wanted, it was missing some aspects of the "true" tiramisu I made before (I'm not talking about the egg!). So, I melded the two recipes and this is one I have for you.

For those who love tiramisu but not so much the raw egg part, you're gonna love this!

Keep in mind... Allowing the tiramisu to chill in the refrigerator 1-2 days before serving gives ladyfingers a chance to soften and for the flavors to come together. If you don't have the time, give it at least 3 hours to chill.

This is for an 8x8 dish.

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

8 oz container of mascarpone cheese (at room temperature)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups strong coffee, sweetened with 1 tbsp of sugar, and cooled.

1 package of Savoiardi brand ladyfingers (7oz)

Cocoa powder for dusting.

Dark chocolate (for shaving) - you only need the tiniest bit of chocolate.

WHAT TO DO:

1. Whip the 1 1/2 cups of cream (use electric mixer, stand mixer, or by hand), while slowly adding in the sugar and vanilla extract. Whip until you have stiff peaks.

2. Fold into the whipped cream the room temperature mascarpone cheese, until combined.

3. Put the coffee into a shallow bowl. Dip the ladyfingers (front and back) into the coffee. (DO NOT SOAK THEM IN THE COFFEE, JUST DIP THE FRONT AND BACK), then lay them in a single layer on the bottom of the 8x8 dish.

4. Use half the mascarpone whipped cream and spread it evenly over the top of the first layer of ladyfingers.

5. Dust with cocoa powder (I used a mesh strainer to get a nice powdery coat).

6. Repeat the layers. Add a second layer of coffee dipped ladyfingers directly on top the cocoa powder.

7. Use the rest of the mascarpone whipped cream and spread evenly over the top.

8. Dust cocoa powder.

9. Shave dark chocolate on top (I use one square of any dark chocolate at home and a peeler).