Classic tiramisu

Name: Classic tiramisu
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 10 g Instant coffee, espresso powder if you have it; 15 g Caster sugar, for the coffee; 500 g Mascarpone; 300 ml Double cream; 80 g Icing sugar; 5 ml Vanilla extract; 30 Sponge fingers, about 200g; 15 g Cocoa powder; 25 g Dark chocolate, finely grated, optional

Coffee-soaked sponge fingers layered with a light, sweet mascarpone cream and finished with a thick dusting of cocoa. This version skips raw egg and alcohol, so the whole family can share it.

Ingredients

10 g Instant coffee, espresso powder if you have it
15 g Caster sugar, for the coffee
500 g Mascarpone
300 ml Double cream
80 g Icing sugar
5 ml Vanilla extract
30 Sponge fingers, about 200g
15 g Cocoa powder
25 g Dark chocolate, finely grated, optional

Method

Dissolve the coffee and sugar in 350ml just-boiled water and leave to cool. For a grown-up version, add a splash of Marsala or coffee liqueur to the cooled coffee.
Beat the mascarpone, cream, icing sugar and vanilla together until smooth and thick enough to hold soft peaks. Don't overbeat.
Quickly dip half the sponge fingers in the coffee (a second each side, so they don't go soggy) and lay them in a 20x30cm dish. Spread over half the cream.
Repeat with the rest of the dipped fingers and cream, and smooth the top.
Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. Just before serving, sift over the cocoa and scatter with grated chocolate.