Tiramisu

From EatingWell: May/June 1994, The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004) — Subscribe Now!

Here's how we make our luscious Tiramisù with about a third of the fat and half the calories of most versions: we layer coffee-and-brandy-soaked ladyfingers with an ultra-light egg-white custard combined with rich mascarpone cheese and lower-fat Neufchâtel cheese. This healthier version of the triflelike dessert would pass muster in any Italian café.

READER'S COMMENT:

"Very good! Best if made a day ahead so that all the flavors meld. Definitely a keeper!!! "

12 servings, 2/3 cup each

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling time)

Nutrition Profile

Low calorie | Low cholesterol | Low sodium | Healthy weight | View Complete Nutrition Guidelines»

Ingredients

8 ounces ladyfingers, (60 ladyfingers)
1 cup water
4 tablespoons brandy, divided
1 tablespoon instant coffee (preferably espresso) granules
2 tablespoons dried egg whites, (see Ingredient Note), reconstituted according to package directions
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
4 ounces mascarpone cheese, (1/2 cup)
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, (Neufchâtel), softened
1 cup chocolate shavings, (see Tip)
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Preparation

If ladyfingers are soft, toast them in a 350°F oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Stir water, 3 tablespoons brandy and coffee granules in a small bowl until the granules are dissolved. Brush over the flat side of the ladyfingers.
Bring 1 inch of water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Combine reconstituted egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in a heatproof mixing bowl that will fit over the saucepan. Set the bowl over the simmering water and beat with an electric mixer at low speed for 4 to 5 minutes. Increase speed to high and continue beating over the heat for about 3 minutes more. (The mixture should form a ribbon trail.) Remove the bowl from the heat and beat until cool and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
Beat mascarpone and cream cheese in a large bowl until creamy. Add about 1 cup of the beaten whites and the remaining 1 tablespoon brandy; beat until smooth, scraping down the sides. Fold in the remaining whites.
Line the bottom and sides of a 3-quart trifle bowl or soufflé dish with ladyfingers, flat sides toward the center. Spoon in one-fourth of the filling and top with a layer of ladyfingers. Repeat with two more layers of filling and ladyfingers, arranging the fourth layer of ladyfingers decoratively over the top, trimming to fit if necessary. Top with the remaining filling. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.
Before serving, sprinkle the tiramis° with chocolate shavings and dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. | Equipment: 3-quart trifle bowl or soufflÃ© dish

Ingredient Note: Dried egg whites are pasteurized—a wise choice when making meringue toppings that may not reach 160°F (the temperature at which eggs are considered "safe"). You'll find them in the baking or natural-foods section of most supermarkets. Reconstitute according to package directions.
Tip: To make chocolate shavings: Place a block of chocolate (2 ounces or larger) on wax paper and microwave on Defrost until slightly softened but not melted, 15 to 30 seconds. Use a swivel-bladed vegetable peeler to shave off curls. If the chocolate gets too hard to shave easily, warm it again.

Nutrition

Per serving: 216 calories; 7 g fat (4 g sat, 0 g mono); 29 mg cholesterol; 32 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 0 g fiber; 54 mg sodium; 47 mg potassium.

2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 other carbohydrates, 1 1/2 fat