Thursday 26 February 2015

Tiramisu


In my previous Tiramisu post, the photo was butt ugly. It was taken at 6:00am and it is very hard to photograph something brown. That was the frustration that I had when snapping pics of chocolate cakes. Until I discovered a particular spot in my house with natural light. That's where I shoot my photos now, even if it means ferrying my cakes upstairs and downstairs. LOL!




I felt like having another round of Tiramisu with step by step photos. Hopefully I would get a more decent shot of this lovely dessert. What's great about Tiramisu is that no baking is involved. It is a cold dessert which you assemble and then chill in the fridge.



The ingredients you will need are sponge fingers, cream cheese, sugar, chocolate (optional), whipping cream and eggs.


Sponge fingers/Lady fingers. I bought from Cold Storage.
Now, the recipe that I follow uses raw egg yolks but if you are not comfortable with that, you could leave it out. I use pasteurized eggs and so far I have not had any problem with these eggs.



So, let's get started shall we? First, line an 8" removable bottom square pan with baking paper. 



Then make the coffee. Or make the coffee first so that it has time to cool. It's just hot water, instant coffee powder, sugar and rum. Use a container that is big enough for you to dip the sponge fingers in.


If there is any leftover, just drink it!
Next, whip the whipping cream to stiff peaks. How do you know it is stiff? Do what Jamie Oliver likes to do on TV. Tip the bowl over your head and if it doesn't spill on your head, it's stiff hah..hah... I just tip the bowl and if the cream doesn't move, then it is stiff. Then I turn the bowl over (but not over my head) just for the fun of it. 


Whip the cream till stiff peaks and then set aside in the fridge.

Then, cream the cream cheese with sugar and then add the egg yolks. The cream cheese must be at room temperature so that it can cream or else it will be lumpy.


Beat the cream cheese, add sugar and beat some more and
then add egg yolks. You can also add some rum if you like :)
This is how it looks like.
Then fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.


Cream cheese and whipped cream folded.
Now we are ready to assemble the Tiramisu. Oh, I forgot! If you are using chocolate, grate the chocolate beforehand. Sorry, I did not snap a pic of the grated chocolate but this ingredient is optional. Classic Tiramisu does not contain chocolate, does it?

Dip the sponge fingers in the coffee. Do not linger too long. These sponge fingers are not called sponge fingers for nothing. They soak up the coffee quite well and if you dip too long, the sponge finger will become very soggy. Dip for just a second and arrange them at the bottom of the pan.


The biscuits did not fit exactly and was a bit tight. I sort of forced them to fit.
It's quite easy to fit them because they become soft after dipping in coffee.
Once the bottom of the pan is covered, spread half the cream cheese mixture over them.



After that, scatter the grated chocolate over the cream cheese layer. You can omit the chocolate, no problem.



Then repeat dipping and layering the sponge fingers. Once done, pour the remaining cream cheese on top. Then sift cocoa powder over the cream cheese.



That's it! You are done. If you have a container large enough to house the cake pan, that's great. You can put the cake pan into it and then store the whole thing in the fridge. If not, wrap the pan with cling wrap or aluminum foil and chill in the fridge overnight.

The next day, you are ready to unveil your awesome Tiramisu. Carefully remove the Tiramisu from the pan. Scatter more cocoa powder if necessary. Then slice with a sharp knife. I used a knife dipped in hot water to get clean cuts. This is not necessary. I was just being a fussy old pot, as always.


Tadaah!
Now I have to confess. If you noticed that the cream cheese layer is a bit thin, you are right. Not enough cream cheese. I thought that I could get away with only 250g cream cheese and I was wrong. 



I used half recipe but still, this Tiramisu turned out very well. Of course it would be better is there was more cream cheese.





This Tiramisu is a wonderful dessert to make for family gatherings and you can make it a day ahead. Another good news is that it can also be frozen and thawed in the fridge overnight.

So here is the full recipe below which I adapted from Ms Su Chan's recipe for Tiramisu Cake. 













Tiramisu
Recipe source : Adapted from Ms Su Chan's Tiramisu Cake here.
This recipe fits one 8" square pan.

Ingredients :

Filling :
- 500g cream cheese, at room temperature
- 200g castor (superfine) sugar
- 6 eggs yolks (please use pasteurized eggs for your safety)
- 2 tbsp rum
- 400ml double (heavy) cream, whipped
- 200g chocolate shavings
- Cocoa powder for dusting

Coffee Syrup
- 1.5 tbsp instant coffee granules
- 1 tbsp castor (superfine) sugar
- 300ml hot water
- 1 tbsp rum

Ladyfingers
- I used 28 Sponge Fingers (14 per layer)

Method :

For Filling
- Beat cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl until light.
- Add egg yolks one by one.
- Add rum and fold in whipped heavy cream.

For Coffee Syrup
- Dissolve coffee granules and sugar in water.
- Cool, then add sherry and set aside.

To assemble the Tiramisu :
- Dip each  sponge finger briefly in coffee syrup (don't dip for too long)
- Arrange the  sponge fingers in a single layer in the pan.
- Top the  sponge fingers with 1/2 of the filling.
- Sprinkle with chocolate shavings to cover the top of the filling.
- Continue dipping  sponge fingers in coffee syrup and arrange in a single layer on top of the filling.
- Top the  sponge fingers with the the remaining filling.
- Dust with cocoa powder to completely cover the surface of the topping. 
- Cover pan with cling film/aluminium foil and chill in the fridge overnight.

To serve :
- Take the pan out of the fridge and slice the Tiramisu with a hot knife





Photobucket

This post is linked to the event, Little Thumbs Up organised by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids and Doreen of My Little Favourite DIY and hosted by Grace of Life Can Be Simple

46 comments:

  1. Oooo, tiramisu today, yay! Yep, I know tiramisu uses raw egg yolks, I've seen Jamie Oliver did it, using raw eggs.. To be honest, I'm uncomfortable with raw eggs, but if you don't show me, or if I don't know how they're made, then I'm ok, can wallop your entire tiramisu.. But nevermind la, if it's from Phong Hong, raw eggs also nevermind la, I can wallop also.. Just like eggnog, I've seen both the cooked eggs and uncooked eggs version.. Does tiramisu have the cooked egg version? Aiya, for me, no need to cut into nice squares (but I know you have to cut into neat squares for the sake of the camera), I just dig and eat with a spoon, like ice cream, hehe..

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    1. Louiz, so far I have not had stomachache (hah..hah..) from eating the raw pasteurized egg yolks. If using the regular eggs then I really dare not. The Tiramisu still taste good without the yolks but I find that the eggs make it richer and creamier. I don't know if there is a cooked egg version. And you are right, can just use a spoon to dig!

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  2. I always thought tiramisu is just another cake that needs baking. When I watch Gennaro do it for the first time, I was shocked! Raw egg yolks with just a lot of beating and no cooking, how can that be?? I guess we need to use really fresh eggs, else might have a risk of cirit birit?

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    1. It is best to use pasteurized eggs because I don't trust that regular ones even if it is fresh. The egg shells may contain traces of bacteria from the chicken poo poo and it may get transferred to the egg when you break it. Yup, sure will cirit birit :(

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  3. Ooooh! I love Tiramisu very much. The raw eggs and liquor is a must to make them well.

    My sister introduced me to eat her friend Suchan's cakes and I thought hers was good. Next, my sis introduced me to her Fatboy's Cakes and his Tiramisu is more heavenly. Now I became addicted to my wife's Tiramisu instead as she knew where to add more almonds and liquor for me! Ha ha.

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    1. TM, you are so well connected and you know these prominent bakers and get to eat their bakes! I love Tiramisu a lot and never get tired of it. Lucky you to have your wife make boozy Tiamisu for you!

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  4. Phong Hong, I love this! I love tiramisu.....now must go find tiramisu.

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    1. Nancy, I hope you find one hah..hah...

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  5. OMG, tiramisu is my most favourite cake. I don't mind with less cream cheese (feel less guilty eating...and it still looks darn good!

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    1. It is one of the easiest desserts to make and if you love it then hmmm....can consider making one of your own hee..hee...

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  6. Hi Phong Hong, really a lovely, lovely Tiramisu you have here. So tempting that I feel like going for it now. Enough or not enough of cream cheese, it's not a problem.

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    1. Kimmy, if you love Tiramisu you should make one! Can share share with your neighbour hee..hee..

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  7. Looks absolutely...professional! Well done. Btw, are the sponge fingers nice on their own? Saw at a baking supplies shop here...was tempted to but and try but I didn't.

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    1. Thank you! Thank you! I tried the sponge fingers on their own and nope, they are not nice. They are hard and crunchy and a bit sweet but that's about it. Not much taste there. I think they are more for making Tiramisu as most of the packaging comes with the Tiramisu recipe. So don't buy unless you want to make Tiramisu.

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  8. I love tiramisu and yours looks like the ones served in good restaurants:)

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  9. Oh no! This tiramisu is tempting me - I am on my post CNY diet...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OK, then better not look at the Tiramisu hee..hee...

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  10. OK. I am seriously drooling.

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  11. Wah!!! Phong, can I have a piece of the tiramisu??? Love this cold cold no bake dessert! U must have had a big portion yeah heehee

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    Replies
    1. Hi Janice! Yeah, sure you can :) I kept some in the freezer for later hee..hee...

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  12. wow, tiramisu!!!! i guess this is one of those very popular desserts that many have been / are crazy for it.. i guess they knew tiramisu from some kind of movies or drama?? just like the macaroons, they just like it like for no reasons?? or just because some actors mentioned about it in the movie or drama, hahahaha..

    now now now.. we know PH is not really serious about baking but also very serious about taking perfect shots of her products to be share on this post!! a pat on your shoulders, PH!! you even carry your piece of tiramisu from one corner of the house to another, on different level somemore!! memang salute, and of course you did great shots for all your cakes and biscuits and cookies and bread and cooking.. that is why i so enjoyed "tasting virtually" all your baking and cooking, hahahaha!!!

    your tiramisu looks good and if you did not mention, i actually won't bother to care about the layer of cream cheese being too thin.. because the whole d*mn thing is just looking so f**king delicious!! muahaha, pardon me for the profanity but this shows how nice i find that piece of thing sitting there.. and i wonder, how could you wait for yourself to take so many photos before savoring it??!! hahaha.. i would wait no more and pop that piece of evil into my mouth, and starting to feel it in my mouth, LOL~~ :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SK, you never fail to make me laugh with your funny comments! hah..hah... Yes, I ferry my tiramisu up and down the stairs. Good exercise for me before I wallop a few slices muahahaha!!!

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    2. I hope you were very careful with your steps while being too excited ferrying the cake.. else I'm imagining a fall of the tiramisu on the floor, and then the clumsy PH with her face splat right on top!!! muahaha, kesian but that would be such a funny scene you may not want it to happen..

      ooopsss, piak my CB mouth!!! LOL~~

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    3. Haiyoh! You, ah! So mischievous one! hah..hah.. it sounds funny but if it really happen then I won't think it is funny. LOL!

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  13. People say, to make tiramisu is very easy but frankly speaking, I've never tried making it...yet. Not even once. Tak tahu nak tunggu apa lagi lah baru I akan buat tiramisu. Meanwhile, just jamu mata sajalah... :D

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    1. Mama maybe right now you takder mood for Tiramisu. Maybe one day you will make lah, kan? It is really easy. My favourite go to dessert when I am not in the mood to bersusah-payah for family gatherings.

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  14. Can I have a bite ? Hahha.... you should published a cookery book From your blog. It looks good.

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    1. Sure, Chris! Oh, thank you lah...maybe one day :)

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  15. Your tiramisu looks delicious! It has been such a long time since I ate one.

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  16. Hi Phong Hong, you are making me drooling looking at your delicious slice of tiramisu. I have yet to make one myself.

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  17. Hi Phong Hong,
    Your tiramisu looks divine! It has been awhile since I last had any Tiramisu!

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    1. Thanks, Joyce! It's not diet food, so better don't eat hah..hah...

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  18. Wow, I love your blog's new makeover! And that tiramisu of yours looks so decadent, and Im a sucker for tiramisu heehee

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    1. Thank you, Honey Bee Sweets! I'm also a Tiramisu maniac hah..hah...

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  19. Hi Phong Hong, tiramisu is my top favorite and I never get tired of eating it. If I made... that it....I will eat day and night. hahaha... Just love the taste and it's so addictive.
    Yours look awesome. 2 thumbs up for you.

    Amelia

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    1. Thank you, Amelia! I kept some in the freezer shhh...

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  20. Thanks for all the steps with photos. Now I will embark to make for my family. Is it ok if I omit the eggs?

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    1. Hi Amy! Yes, it is OK to omit the eggs :)

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  21. hii Phong hong, what different between using cream cheese and mascarpone cheese for tiramitsu ?

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    1. Honestly, I have no idea because I never tried mascarpone. It's too expensive for me hah..hah..

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