Tiramisu for Me and You
Tiramisu is a classic dessert from Northern Italy whose name translates literally to “pick me up.” This refers to the caffeine from the espresso–soaked ladyfingers which gives you a jolt of energy when you need a little pick–me–up. (Get it now?) If only it could perk up my GPA as well as my level of energy. *Cries.* Anyway this recipe is simple, quick and low maintenance. The hardest part is ordering a flat white at Starbucks or finding the mascarpone in FroGro. (It’s over by the cured meats, go figure!) Does your bank account need a little pick–me–up too? Impress your parents with this recipe, and they will be much more likely to say yes when you ask them for money afterward because you just clearly demonstrated how responsible, classy and cultured you’ve become by making them this dessert! And at only $4/serving, you’ll have a great ROI! Look at you now! You’re gettin’ paper!
Ingredients (serves 2; $3.98/serving):
½ of an 8.8-oz tub of mascarpone cheese ($4.99/tub at FroGro)
32 Nilla Wafers ($4.29/box at FroGro)
1 tall Flat White ($3.75 from Starbucks)
2 sugar packets (FREE from Starbucks; sorry not sorry for continually enabling your low key kleptomania)
Whipped cream (optional)
Procedure (15 minutes):
- In a bowl, mix the mascarpone with both sugar packets and a tablespoon of the flat white until blended.
- Dip eight Nilla Wafers one at a time into the flat white for 10 seconds each. Arrange four of them on the serving plate in a square, then the other four the same way on top.
- Spoon ¼ of the mascarpone mixture on top of the bottom layers of wafers and spread it around.
- Repeat step 2 and place another two layers of four wafers on top of the mascarpone.
- Top with another ¼ of the mascarpone and any garnishes (whipped cream, chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, fresh fruit, etc.) Repeat the procedure for the other serving.
Tips and Tricks:
You can use any drink from Starbucks for this dish as long as it’s primarily coffee or espresso based. I think the flat white adds extra creaminess, and I think I seem cool when I order one. If you complain about how you can never find a good flat white in America, you will sound like a cosmopolitan globetrotter or a bonafide douche depending on the self esteem of the person you’re talking to, but that’s besides the point. Wait until the drink has cooled off so that you can fully submerge the Nilla Wafers without burning your fingertips. Also, arrange the dessert as you go along because the wafers become hard to handle after they soak up all of that wonderful espresso flavor.
