Tiramisu “pick-me-up” Cake

This is very similar to the recipe in Andrea Appuzzo’s book La Cucina
di Andrea’s.

Number of Servings: 8

FILLING:

1. Whisk egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar together. Whisk in the
mascarpone cheese.

2. In a separate bowl, whip the cream, the rest of the sugar, and the
vanilla until almost stiff – NO PEAKS

3. Fold the mascarpone cheese mixture into the whipped cream and
continue to whip, until stiff. Set aside.

4. Make a fully-dissolved syrup with 1/4 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp water,
espresso and rum.

5. Brush a layer of the sponge cake with espresso mixture. With a
spatula, smooth about half-inch thick layer of the mascarpone cheese
mixture on top. Brush the second cake layer with espresso, and place
it espresso side down on the first layer. Brush the top with
espresso. Spread on another half-inch of the mascarpone mixture.
Repeat the procedure with the third layer of cake. Cover the top and
sides of the cake with a thin layer of mascarpone filling.

6. With a sieve and a spoon, sprinkle the top of the cake with cocoa
powder. Cover the sides of the cake with chocolate shavings.
Refrigerate at least three hours. This cake does not hold up well
when exposed to any heat, so keep it cool

Serves eight.

From La Cucina di Andrea’s – by Chef Andrea Apuzzo 89-63780
Published by Cucina dell’ART, Inc. Andrea’s Restaurant 3100
Nineteenth Street Metairie, Louisiana 70002

Chef Andrea says, “This is a relatively new Italian dessert that is
all the rage in Italy and New York. The original version was made
with lady fingers, and was scooped out in the manner of an English
trifle. We took a fresh approach to it by substituting sponge cake
for the lady fingers. It is so light that you don’t eat it — you
inhale it.”

Having enjoyed this wonderful creation, I can assure you that it also
is calory free. (F.H.T)