The February 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Aparna of My Diverse Kitchen and Deeba of Passionate About Baking. They chose Tiramisu as the challenge for the month. Their challenge recipe is based on recipes from The Washington Post, Cordon Bleu at Home and Baking Obsession.
The challenge included making our own zabaglione and pastry cream, ladyfingers, and mascarpone cheese with the given recipes. I don’t like coffee flavored desserts or candies, but after a quick online search, I found wonderful non-coffee variations that looked amazingly delicious. On Taste of Home they had a White Chocolate-Strawberry Tiramisu recipe that was calling my name. So I eliminated the coffee and liquors in the original recipes and substituted orange juice and strawberries.
I took this to a Valentine’s party and it got a little soft before I served it. But this truly was heaven on a plate! I know I definitely considered licking my plate clean!
Thanks Deeba and Aparna for choosing such a fabulous challenge this month. Stop by the DARING BAKER BLOGROLL and check out all the amazing DB Tiramisu creations!
Tiramisu is made up of several components which can be made separately and ahead of time and put together the day before serving. Making tiramisu from scratch requires about 2 to 3 days (including refrigeration) from when you start making the mascarpone to the time the tiramisu is served. So this challenge requires some prior planning.
Please read the instructions as you need to begin making the mascarpone at least a day in advance. The zabaglione & pastry cream also need 4 hours to an overnight for chilling, as does the main dessert. The flavors mature after an overnight rest, and the dessert can be kept refrigerated for 2-3 days. Once assembled, the tiramisu can be frozen till you need to serve it, in case you are not serving it immediately.
Ingredients
- 2 large egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons sugar/50gms
- 1/4 cup strawberry puree, strained
- 1/4 teaspoon/ 1.25ml vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 cup chilled heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups orange juice concentrate (I wanted a strong orange flavor, so I used frozen concentrate mixed with 1/3 of the amount of water called for)
- 1/2 cup/110gms sugar
- 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
- 36 savoiardi/ ladyfinger biscuits (you may use less)
- 2 tablespoons grated chocolate
Directions
- Heat water in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, place a pot with about an inch of water in it on the stove. Place a heat-proof bowl in the pot making sure the bottom does not touch the water.
- In a large mixing bowl (or stainless steel mixing bowl), mix together the egg yolks, sugar, the strawberry puree, vanilla extract and lemon zest. Whisk together until the yolks are fully blended and the mixture looks smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to the top of a double boiler or place your bowl over the pan/ pot with simmering water. Cook the egg mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 8 minutes or until it resembles thick custard. It may bubble a bit as it reaches that consistency.
- Let cool to room temperature and transfer the zabaglione to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, until thoroughly chilled.
- Mix together the sugar, flour, lemon zest and vanilla extract in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. To this add the egg yolk and half the milk. Whisk until smooth.
- Now place the saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from curdling.
- Add the remaining milk a little at a time, still stirring constantly. After about 12 minutes the mixture will be thick, free of lumps and beginning to bubble. (If you have a few lumps, don’t worry. You can push the cream through a fine-mesh strainer.)
- Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic film and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, until thoroughly chilled.
- Combine the cream, sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric hand mixer or immersion blender until the mixture holds stiff peaks. Set aside.
- Have ready a rectangular serving dish (about 8" by 8" should do) or one of your choice.
- Pour orange juice into a shallow dish. Set asidel.
- In a large bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese with a spoon to break down the lumps and make it smooth. This will make it easier to fold. Add the prepared and chilled zabaglione and pastry cream, blending until just combined. Gently fold in the whipped cream. Set this cream mixture aside.
- Working quickly, dip 12 of the ladyfingers in the orange juice, about 1 second per side. They should be moist but not soggy. Immediately transfer each ladyfinger to the platter, placing them side by side in a single row. You may break a lady finger into two, if necessary, to ensure the base of your dish is completely covered.
- Spoon one-third of the cream mixture on top of the ladyfingers, then use a rubber spatula or spreading knife to cover the top evenly, all the way to the edges.
- Repeat to create 2 more layers, using 12 ladyfingers and the cream mixture for each layer. Clean any spilled cream mixture; cover carefully with plastic wrap and refrigerate the tiramisu overnight.(Freezing it for a few hours before serving makes it easier to get clean cuts to serve it.)
- To serve, carefully remove the plastic wrap and sprinkle the tiramisu with grated chocolate or decorate as you please. Cut into individual portions and serve.
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I love to bake, especially cookies, cakes, and pies. I’ll post my adventures in the kitchen, my favorite new recipes, as well as our family favorites.
Barbara – Beautiful and creative! I love the changes you made and the flavors sound so appealing. I am not a dessert person, but throw in some fruit with a rich custard and you've sold me.
Wow I would love to try your version of tiramisu! It looks so beautiful and refreshing! Great job!
Beautiful! I love your strawberry version, so refreshing. Perfect for Valentine's Day.
You certainly cant go wrong with strawberry and white chocolate. Looks delicious!
I skipped on the coffee too- my kids dont need coffee.
That looks sooo good, makes me want to eat a piece right now!!
Wow Barbara! Your tiramisu looks flawless =D. I love the strawberries and orange!
yowsa…that looks divine…simply divine!
What a great idea to add fruits to your tiramisù. ¡Se ve perfecto y delicioso!
That looks fantastic mum! Chocolate, cream and strawberries is such a delicious combo!
xxx
OK this seriously looks incredible – tiramisu is my favorite dessert and this is totally something I want to try next!
Way to go!! Orange-Strawberry is such a great twist to this classic.. Gorgeous Tiramisu!
Great job! Orange-Strawberry sounds so fun and summery and looks beautiful!
This is such a beautiful dessert! What a lovely job you did on this. I have a cup of coffee right now and I am want a piece so bad…it's not fair:(
Barbara,
Did you make your own ladyfingers? This is a beautiful dessert.
I love tiramisu but I really love the coffee/Kahlua version! I think its funny you bakers were making lady fingers and I didn't have a clue you were – but made them myself about the same time!
This truly does look like heaven on a plate. Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts but I seldom make it because my daughter doesn't like coffee. This version is perfect, especially with the homemade mascarpone.
It looks gorgeous Barbara! I don't drink coffee and don't really love it in desserts, so this looks perfect to me! Who can resist those gorgeous strawberries.
Looks awesome and delicious! Tiramisu has always been one of my favorite desserts.
Strawberry and chocolate…awesome.Loved the different versions of Tiramisu.Interesting one..looks wonderful Barbara!
It looks delicious, Barbara. Would love to try some. Can't go wrong with strawberries and chocolate.
wow i love your variation! i saw the strawberry one and thought about it..maybe when summer comes i will try it!
Strawberry and orange. Beautiful! It sounds and looks so refreshing and summery. Lovely!
You did well as always Barbara. Love the idea of adding strawberry on your tiramisu.
Orange and strawberry…totally delicious combination Barbara. I love how good it looks. Fun to see you made the mascarpone; can see it hanging! Thank you for enjoying the challenge, and taking to it so whole heartedly!
Wow beautiful and love the combination. Agree with deeba, it is indeed funny seeing the cheese hanging like that
What a perfect Valentine's day treat. I'd have definitely licked my plate
How beautiful and creative, just perfect for Valentine's Day!
Orage and strawberry flavored tiramisu is such a great variation! Your tiramisu came out absolutely beautiful, I love and I love how pretty the strawberries and chocolate on top are!
Wow so beautiful and very romantic with the red for a V Day party. Really a stunning Tiramisu! Great job on all the parts!
Those strawberries look so inviting. Nice twist on the challenge.
Mimi
It looks delicious. I'm kind of sorry I missed out but maybe I'll get another chance to make it. I'm thinking raspberry.
This looks so amazing, Barbara! I'm SO impressed!
The Tiramisu posts today are killing me! Gorgeous photos…looks just like the 4th of July!
OMG Barbara I bet that was totally amazing!! Love oranges, love tiramisu, so I can't imagine this was anything but Heaven
so gorgeous, a perfect dessert for the upcoming spring!
so lovely, I love the red strawberry in a dessert.. Great flavours.
orange strawberry tiramisu sounds and looks incredible! love to try that combination one of these days..i love both orange & strawberry!
Wow, it looks like this challenge was quite a task but you pulled it off beautifully. I love how you changed it up with the strawberries and white chocolate. Kudos to you for a gorgeous dessert. This is very impressive.
Wow..this strawberry tiramisu looks absolutely divine! There's so much work for this, so BRAVO to you and all Daring Bakers!
You're so creative Barbara, great idea to add fruits to your Tiramisu. It looks awesome and delicious. Strawberry and white chocolate, what a great combination!
Cheers
Wow, you are so creative! Your tiramisu looks amazing!!
This reminds me of a flag cake I usually make for the fourth of July. Love it!
oh yum!!!!
Great job on your DB challenge!
OK, the line for a big serving of this starts BEHIND me! This looks sensational!
Barbara, your version sounds wonderful. Giada has a tiramisu and berry recipe I make all the time.
What a great return on a great effort! Your strawberries have me so ready for spring and strawberry stands! Beautiful tiramisu!!! I'd love to try it!
I have a special dinner coming up next month and think I will make this since you liked it so much and almost licked the plate:)
Joyce
I love your strawberry version
Simply beautiful!
Yes I have a few individual tubs of tiramisu in the freezer.
Oh Barbara..I'm simply speechless! Your tirsmisu is not only beautiful..but orange strawberry? WOW..I can almost taste it! Such a great idea to combine the two in the tiramisu, as it's usually JUST orange or JUST strawberry.
Finally, the white chocolate powder IS expensive, probably because it's only available in those large cans and sold to coffee houses/stores mainly. I'm a huge white chocolate fan..so of course I had to have it. I just may host a giveaway for one in the near future