Sort of Tiramisu

Getting ready to teach another class for the college students at CU. Since we are two days from Valentine's Day, it's a date night theme. To get you excited, we are posting dessert first. :-)

Though we have titled this Tiramisu, we know our Italian friends would not approve. Which is why it's called "Sort-Of" Tiramisu. Some of the elements are there but to simplify it, we have cut out the foamy egg custard (called zabaglione in Italian) because that's not exactly a basic technique. There are lots of other differences. But, it still tastes pretty good if you don't expect it to taste like classic Tiramisu. Because it's only "sort-of" a Tiramisu.

Sort of Tiramisu
(serves 6-8, cost $6.75*)

½ cup Cold Espresso, or very strong coffee
6 Tablespoons Sugar, divided
1 package Soft Ladyfingers, 3 ounces
4 ounces Mascarpone Cheese
½ cup Heavy Cream
2 cups Sliced Strawberries, about ½ pound
¼ cup Semisweet Or Bittersweet Chocolate Chips, mini or regular size

Combine espresso with 3 Tbl sugar. Place ½ the ladyfingers into an 8x8" baking pan in one layer. There will gaps. Pour 4 Tbl of the coffee/sugar mixture over the ladyfingers.

Beat mascarpone cheese with remaining 3 Tbl sugar. Add heavy cream and beat until thick and holding a soft peak. Spread ½ of this on top of ladyfingers. Spread 1 cup of strawberries in one layer on top of cream. Place remaining ladyfingers on top of strawberries in one layer. With a teaspoon spoon remaining coffee-sugar mixture over ladyfingers. Spread on the rest of the cheese mixture. Cover with remaining strawberries. Sprinkle chocolate chips into gaps around strawberries.

Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.

*Usually, mascarpone cheese comes in 8 ounce packages and it's not exactly cheap, so this recipe will cost you $8.75. You aren't likely to use this ingredient in anything else. We suggest you just make this recipe twice and share it with your friends. Or anyone you want to be your friend. :-)