• Whisk yolks and sugar in saucepan until well blended, then whisk in milk and cook over medium heat, stirring, until mixture begins to boil.  Allow it to boil gently for a minute or so, stirring constantly as it thickens.  Remove from heat, let it cool down some before covering tightly and chilling in fridge an hour or so. 

• Whip egg whites in clean dry mixing bowl until soft peaks form.  Pour into a separate bowl, then beat heavy cream with vanilla until stiff peaks form.

• Gently but thoroughly whisk/fold until smooth (in this order):  first, mascarpone into the cooled yolk mixture; second, whipped cream; third, egg whites. 

• Combine the coffee and liquors in a dish that can accommodate the size of the ladyfingers and so that the liquid is not too deep.   A casserole dish works well.  Do a “dry run” with the ladyfingers to size them up so they fit the glass dish you’re going to use.  Cut to size the number of ladyfingers you’ll need to complete two layers. 

• One at a time, lay each ladyfinger in the coffee mixture to the count of 2 seconds on each side.  You do not want to soak them through.  Continue with the full-size and cut pieces of ladyfingers until the bottom of the dish is thoroughly covered, then spoon half the mascarpone mixture on top and smooth out evenly and flat with an offset spatula all the way and cleanly to the edges. Apply second layer of dipped ladyfingers, then second layer of mascarpone, smoothing out flat to edges.  

• Use a small hand strainer to evenly sift on a top coat of cocoa (with that optional pinch of espresso powder mixed into it).  Cover and refrigerate 6 to 24 hours. Before serving, garnish as desired; i.e., a chocolate-covered coffee bean “flower” in the center and/or whipped cream stars around the edges.

Clear glass will show off those luscious layers. My favorite vessel for tiramisu is this square old-fashioned glass refrigerator dish which came with a fitted glass lid. Single-servings in fancy glasses are great for individual place settings, or a trifle bowl with upright ladyfingers along the perimeter like a charlotte for a dinner party centerpiece. You’ll need extra ladyfingers for a trifle bowl, of course. Regardless of your chosen vessel, the last thing you want is to be short of fingers, so buy two 8-oz packages if larger packages aren’t available. Ladyfingers are great coffee dunkers any time of day! 

Use the crisp ladyfingers called Savoiardi, like Bellino brand, not the soft cake ones.

I use more eggs than most recipes call for, and most call for just using the yolks. I live on a farm and have a ready supply of fresh eggs, plus I do like it very light and airy, thus the whipping and folding in of the egg whites. You don’t have to use the whites at all, especially if you prefer your mascarpone custard layer a bit on the denser side.  Always use the freshest eggs possible, at room temp if whipping the whites.