Tiramisu` Recipe

Tiramisu` dessert is very popular in most of your Italian Restaurants and is easy enough that you can make it at home.  This recipe is Venice’s favorite dessert version and it’s sure to lift your spirits.  Serves 6  1/2 cup servings.
INGREDIENTS:
6 oz. light cream cheese
6 oz. nonfat cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp skim milk
10 ladyfingers
1/2 cup strong coffee or espresso, chilled
1 tbsp unsweet cocoa powder
2 tbsp dark rum or 1/2 tsp rum extract
Grated semisweet chocolate (optional)

Step 1
In a medium mixing bowl, beat your cream cheeses and sugar with an electric mixer. Blend well.
Step 2
Add your milk and beat for 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 3
Break ladyfingers into bite-size pieces and arrange half in a 1 1/2 quart glass bowl.
Step 4
Stir together coffee and rum. Drizzle half of the coffee mixture over the ladyfingers.
Step 5
Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture on top of the ladyfinger halves. Smooth out like you’re icing a cake.
Step 6
Sprinkle with half of the cocoa powder. Repeat layers.
Step 7
Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Longer will help the Tiramisu` spoon out easier.
Step 8
Spoon Tiramisu` into dessert cups and garnish with grated chocolate.

Nutritional Guide (per serving):
Calories = 181
Protein = 8 g
Carbohydrates = 22 g
Cholesterol = 32 mg
Sodium = 342 mg
Total fat = 6 g
Saturated = 4 g
Polyunsaturated = 0 g
Monounsaturated = 2 g

TIPS:

1. Ladyfingers are small spongy cookies that absorb liquid easily. They can be found in the frozen food area of your supermarket or in gourmet shops.
2. Substitute Vanilla wafers for the ladyfingers for a different taste. Be sure to reduce the coffee to 1/3 cup because vanilla wafers don’t absorb as well as ladyfingers.

FUN FACT:

Tiramisu` means “pick me up”.