No Bake Tiramisu

I love tiramisu. Tiramisu is actually very simple to make and is an excellent dinner party or entertaining-dessert because you can prepare it the day or night before, eliminating any sort of day-of preparation or fuss. Its wonderful. I also think it just tastes better when you prepare it a day in advance - all those flavors coming together, the biscuits infusing with that delicious rum and coffee, its absolutely delicious! Yum.

We all know that tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert, but did you know that when translated, it means 'pick me up' or 'lift me up'? I just learned this fun fact, but it does makes sense in a way - being a coffee dessert! Layers of perfectly whipped eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, delicate ladyfinger biscuits dipped in coffee (and sometimes a liqueur like rum), finished with a generous sprinkle of cocoa powder - who wouldn't feel picked up after having a spoonful of this?

I entertain a lot - especially as the weather get warmers and warmer. I also love my garden and my patio set up so, any excuse to use it..I'll take! When I entertain, I do love to cook and prepare a variety of things but I have to be honest, baking is not exactly my forte. Also, I am not really that keen on super decadent or rich desserts like cheese cakes or chocolate gateaus. They're ok once in a while, but again...I'm not exactly Martha Stewart in the kitchen (well with my baking skills...) Tiramisu is perfect because its a simple recipe to pull together the night before your dinner party, you can either serve it family-style where everyone takes a portion to their liking, or even fancy it up and serve individual servings in pretty glasses. Its perfect. The light airy texture of this dessert seems to be just-right at the end of the meal as it won't leave you feeling totally weighed down.

When you take a look at the photos of this no bake tiramisu, you will want to make it! It is thick and looks so creamy inside. The ingredients you will need to make this authentic Italian no bake Tiramisu cake are some mascarpone cheese, some heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, some rum (yes rum for an extra flavor kick), black coffee and some ladyfingers. For garnishing you can use some cocoa or shaved chocolate.

The best part of this Tiramisu recipe is that you don't have to bake it, the whole recipe process is quite easy (but you don't have to tell anyone, they'll think it took forever). Once you have all of your ingredients, whip the heavy cream until stiff, then add your vanilla, the powdered sugar and the mascarpone cheese. Continue whipping until mixed. Then add some rum to the coffee (the rum is optional).

Making the no bake Tiramisu recipe in a springform pan, makes for a good presentation, you could also use a trifle dish or deep round pan. Before you start cut out a piece of parchment paper to line the bottom of your pan. Then to assemble this delicious creation, layer the bottom and the sides of the nine inch springform pan (or whatever pan you are using) with the lady fingers (the creator of this recipe uses smaller cake like lady fingers). Be sure to brush the ladyfingers on the bottom of the pan with the coffee mixture, this will soak into the ladyfingers and give them a nice flavor. Then spread the light and fluffy cheese mixture over the ladyfingers. Repeat the process with another layer of ladyfingers, with the coffee mixture and again with the cheese mixture. Make sure the top of the Tiramisu is smooth, and sprinkle with some cocoa if you'd like, or some shaved chocolate. Serve cold.