Tiramisu by Dr. Ruidan Ma

Nov 5, 2024 | Diversity & Inclusion Recipes

GHDS Diversity & Inclusion Recipe - November 2024

GHDS Diversity and Inclusion Committee delivers something “New and Tasty” for our ongoing initiative.

“My love for Tiramisu started in 2007 when I went to a rural Argentinian town of 5,000 people as an exchange student from China. While over 60% Argentinian residents are of Italian descent (hence the Tiramisu tradition), I was the only Asian person most people have ever met in real life back then. This recipe has evolved from the family recipe of my host father (who was known as the best home chef in town) and I hope you will enjoy this crowd favorite recipe for the holiday season and beyond. ”   – Dr. Ruidan Ma, Ortho ’22

 
Dr. Ruidan Ma (2nd from R) is pictured with her Argentinian host family. 

So Easy But So Good Tiramisu (No eggs, no fuss!)

Ready in: 20 min., Serves: 16

 

Ingredients

  • Cream Cheese Filling:
  • 16oz (472mL) heavy whipping cream
  • 16oz (452g) Neufchâtel cheese (2 packs)
  • 1 ½ to 1¾ cups granulated sugar (adjustable sweetness for personal preference)
  • ¼ cup Irish cream liqueur (e.g.,Bailey’s, Carolan’s or something similar)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Dipping Liquid for Lady Fingers:
  • 2 cups of cold/room temperature espresso coffee (6 tsps of espresso powder+ 2 cups of water)
  • ½ cup of Irish cream liqueur
  • about 40 lady fingers
  • about ¼ cup of Cocoa powder for dusting (Hershey’s, Ghirardelli, etc.)
  • 13″ x 9″x 2″ rectangular pan

 

Preparation

  • Mix the refrigerated neufchatel cheese with granulated sugar till most of the sugar dissolves. Slowly add in cold heavy whipping cream and beat till firm peaks form with stable creamy ridges.
  • Add in the 1tsp of vanilla extract and ¼ cup of liqueur. Slightly mix till consistent and set aside.

 

 

 

 

  • Mix ½ cup of liqueur to 2 cups of cold espresso together for the dipping liquid of lady
  • Quickly (0.5 second only on both sides) dip half of the lady finger into the coffee-liqueur liquid and assemble a single layer on the bottom of the 13″x9″x2″ pan one next to another till the whole surface is covered. 
  • Spread half of the cream cheese filling mixture evenly on top of the layer of lady fingers to cover all the lady fingers.
  • Dust cocoa powder generously on top of the cream mixture to cover the whole surface.
  • Dip the rest of the lady fingers and assemble for another layer(about 20 lady fingers).
  • Repeat steps 5) and 6).
  • Cover the pan with aluminum foil and chill for 12-24 hours in the fridge before serving. Can be cut easily with a pie server and serve.

Tips

-I like using Neufchâtel rather than the classic mascarpone cheese in Tiramisu for this recipe due to the lighter texture.

-Splashing may occur when mixing the cream cheese filling.

-Do not over-soak the lady fingers-only the surface will be moist.

-Prepare ahead as chilling for 12 hours or more to enhance the flavor