Espresso Tiramisu

5 large egg yolks

2/3 cup + 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
16 oz. mascarpone - softened
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sweet Marsala wine
3/4 cup strong brewed coffee or espresso
24 lady fingers
3 tablespoons rum
3 tablespoons Espresso Balsamic
1/3 cup ground chocolate

Whisk 1/3 cup of sugar with egg yolks for two minutes until light yellow and tripled in volume. Place the egg yolks in a large heat proof bowl set over a medium saucepan of simmering water. Add the Marsala and continue whisking constantly for about five minutes or until the temperature of the mixture reaches 150 degrees on a digital thermometer. Set aside and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, whip the mascarpone and 1/3 cup of sugar with the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the zabaglione (egg yolk mixture) in to the mascarpone mixture. Blend the espresso or coffee with the remaining two tablespoons of sugar, rum and espresso balsamic until the sugar dissolves.

Working with 1 cookie at a time, dipping a total of 8 cookies into the espresso per layer. Arrange the lady fingers in a single layer, side by side with a small amount of room between each, over the bottom of a two to three quart dish. Spoon 1/3 of the mascarpone mixture over the cookies and gently spread to cover. Sprinkle with ground chocolate. Repeat this process two more times finishing with a layer of mascarpone and ground chocolate on top. Cover the tiramisu with plastic and refrigerate at least 6 hours.

Serves 12