Almost Authentic Tiramisu'

Tiramisu' (teer-ah-me-SUE) means "pick me up" in Italian, and this dessert will definitely do just that! Authentic Italian recipes for Tiramisu' are generally complicated to prepare and typically use uncooked egg whites. This variation of mine that only takes about 30 minutes to prepare is much easier to make and contains no egg whites, while "almost" retaining the flavor and texture of the real thing.

1 cup powdered sugar, divided
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
20 ladyfingers 
1/2 cup hot water
3 T. instant espresso (or coffee) granules (I like Espresso Cafe' Bustelo.)
2 T. Kahlua or Amaretto (or 1/2 tsp. almond extract)
1/2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa

• Beat 2/3 cup powdered sugar and cream cheese in a large bowl at high speed until well blended. Set aside.
  
• With clean, dry beaters, beat whipping cream and 1/3 cup powdered sugar in a medium bowl at low speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
• Gently fold whipped cream into cheese mixture. Set aside.
• Arrange ladyfingers in a single layer to completely cover the bottom of an 8" square baking dish.
• Combine hot water, espresso granules, and Kahlua in a small bowl or cup.
• Drizzle half of the coffee mixture over the ladyfingers, completely soaking them.
• Spread half of the cheese/cream mixture over the ladyfingers.
• Repeat the procedure with a second layer of ladyfingers and remaining coffee mixture and cheese/cream mixture.
• Sprinkle with cocoa.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Serve cold and refrigerate (unlikely) leftovers.

Serves 8

Tips:

Ladyfingers may be substituted with one package of any plain, hard, dry cookie such as vanilla wafers, butter cookies, or animal crackers. I've even made the Tiramisu' with chocolate animal crackers and boy was it good! Italian ladyfingers, called Savoiardi (sah-vo-YAR-dee), may be found in Italian food markets.

If using plastic wrap to cover, stick one toothpick in each corner and in the middle to prevent wrap from sticking to the top.