Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love. Not just the love between yourself and a significant other but the love you share with friends and family. If you get to spend the day or night with another person celebrate by baking them a special treat.
Usually baking involves multiple servings. To prevent a ton of leftovers and make your dessert feel more intimate, bake a dessert that serves two. What’s more romantic than Italian cuisine? Making an authentic Italian dessert for two! Try this classic tiramisu for two this Valentine’s Day!
Tiramisu for two: (This recipe is from Dessert for Two)
Ingredients for dip:
½ cup espresso (or 1 tablespoon espresso powder dissolved in ½ cup of boiling water)
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon brandy
8-12 lady fingers (depending on the size of your bowl)
Ingredients for the zabaglione:
2 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon brandy
¼ cup heavy cream, chilled
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
3 ounces mascarpone (or cream cheese), softened
cocoa powder for dusting
Directions:
1. In a small, shallow dish stir together the espresso, powdered sugar and brandy. Set the lady fingers aside.
2. Next, make the zabaglione: in a medium bowl that fits over a pan of simmering water (or the top part of a double boiler), add the egg yolks and granulated sugar. Beat with an electric hand mixer for 2 minutes, or until the mixture falls off the beaters in ribbons. Stir in the brandy, then set the bowl over barely simmering water (not boiling!) and beat continuously until it reaches 160 degrees. Once it’s up to temperature, remove the zabaglione from the heat and let cool.
3. Meanwhile, in another bowl, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and beat until combined; have ready the mascarpone on the side.
4. Once the zabaglione has cooled for 10 minutes, fold in the mascarpone gently. Finally, fold in the whipped cream.
5. Have your serving dishes ready. Dip one lady finger in the espresso mixture and flip it over immediately; don’t soak for more than 2 seconds per side. Fit it in the bottom of your bowl (you might have to cut it, depending on your serving dishes). Continue until the bottom of both serving dishes are covered. Scoop one-fourth of the zabaglione-cream mixture on top of each layer with cocoa powder, if desired. Then, do another layer of lady fingers in each dish. Divide the remaining zabaglione between the dishes, and dust with cocoa powder.
6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours before serving.
Because this dessert needs to be made in advance and is a little advanced, you may want to try making one of these recipes with your significant other or gift them to somebody you love:
• Red velvet truffles
• One bowl chocolate chip cookies
• Chocolate mug cake
Go out for dinner before doing your Valentine’s Day baking. Check out the following romantic Madison area locations:
• Fresco, located at 227 State St. in Madison WI, is a rooftop restaurant and lounge. Their website states they have been voted most romantic restaurant! Make sure you call for Valentine’s Day reservations.
• Porta Bella, located at 425 N. Frances St. in Madison WI, is an Italian restaurant that has been in business for over 40 years.
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