Tiramisu I

Description
A classical italian dessert.



Ingredients

 * 500 	 g   mascarpone (an Italian creamy cheese, you can substitute with ricotta, another Italian cheese, for a low-fat ver)
 * 4 	eggs
 * 150 	g caster sugar
 * 1/2-1 	cup strong coffee
 * 300 	g ladyfingers or plain sponge cakes, cut in squares
 * cocoa
 * 3 	tablespoons brandy or coffee liqueur (I personally prefer it without spirits) (optional)

Directions

 * beat sugar and egg yolks until white and frothy.
 * whisk egg whites until stiff.
 * fold mascarpone (or ricotta) into egg mixture.
 * add egg whites carefully.
 * pour coffee (and brandy or coffee liqueur if using) in a shallow bowl, dip biscuits (or pieces of sponge cake) in it, taking care not to soak them completely, and put them in a square tin (actually I make it in a glass loaf tin) in a single layer
 * cover with the cheese cream and continue layering the ingredients, leaving the cream on top, dust with cocoa
 * cover and refrigerate for a few hours or even overnight so that the biscuits have time to become moist and flavourful.