If you have been a long time reader of my blog, you will realize that I prefer making savory foods than sweet foods. I prefer cooking than baking or making desserts because I am not exactly a big fan of desserts or anything sweet…and I feel that the precision needed to make desserts to be a tad too tiresome. So the desserts I make are usually easy and good to eat – just like this Tiramisu.
There is no baking involved, which is an added appeal, only lots of whisking. I did not add any other flavoring except for vanilla extract and coffee. Surprisingly, after letting it set for a day in the fridge, the tiramisu tasted rather chocolaty with a coffee overtone. It was quite delightful!
While the tiramisu was delightful, I have to admit that I cheated. I could not find mascarpone in the supermarkets here in Malaysia where I live, and I did not want to drive downtown for a tub of cheese. Staying true to the simplistic nature of this recipe, I got Philadelphia cheese. But because it’s got a heavier texture than mascarpone, i’ve added egg whites into the mix to lighten it up – and it worked!
Easiest Tiramisu Recipe
2 blocks of Philadephia cheese, soften
3 eggs, separate the yolks and whites
2/3 cup granulated sugar
200ml strong coffee (3 teaspoon instant coffee + 3 teaspoon sugar)
26 lady finger biscuits
2 tablespoon cocoa powder for dusting
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method:
1. Cream the cheese and sugar until light and fluffy with a hand whisk in a large bowl. Add the eggs yolks in one at a time and mix well each time.
2. Now you can start beating the egg whites until they reach stiff peaks in another bowl. Make sure your whisk is clean and do not have a drop of oil all or your whites won’t rise.
3. Next you want to fold the egg whites into the cheese mixture but first do a little tempering by mixing 1/4 of the egg whites into the cheese mixture first. This will aid the folding process. Once that is done, add the remaining egg whites into the cheese mixture and gently fold them together. Do not over mix.
4. In an 8×8 inch bakeware, dip each of the lady fingers into the coffee mixture and line the base of the bakeware. And then layer the ladies finger with the cheese mixture. Continue with another layer of coffee dipped lady fingers and layer it again with the cheese mixture. You should end with a layer of cheese mixture on the top.
5. Dust with cocoa powder and let it set in the fridge for at least 6 hours before serving.
But greedy me, i couldn’t wait after 3 hours of setting to have a taste so my slice looks a little droopy. My next slice was eaten on the next day, and boy was I floored by the flavor. A little bit of time goes a long way in making a huge difference in the Tiramisu’s texture and taste. Time allowed the cheese and coffee to marry into a perfect harmony. Oh, I love how it tastes more chocolatey than coffee! 
Very good adaptation there with the Philly cream cheese and egg whites.
Like you, I’m also a savory person
But tiramisu…anytime.
I love tiramisu! I just found a recipe for a tiramisu cupcake that I plan to try very soon. I just found mascarpone cheese in my grocery store for the first time so I am looking forward to baking with it.
Michelle
http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/
nate-n-annie: I would still prefer mascarpone but this was a close 2nd
tigerfish: I remember your eggless tiramisu recipe
Michelle: Wonderful! I think the cheese is great in pastas and making tiramisus!
beautiful!!
Great change with the cream cheese instead of mascarpone!
Hi, what an interesting idea! I love cream cheese, i’ll be sure to give this recipe a try!
Great adaptation. I LOVE tiramisu. Good to know when I’m out of mascarpone I can just use good ol’ philly cream cheese!
Btw, fantastic photo on tastespotting!
~ingrid
Jennifer: Thanks for the compliment!
Tasty Table: Let me know how it goes, i thought it was good as mascarpone after adding some whipped egg whites in
Ingrid: Thanks! I still have room to grow in the photography department
wonderful recipe! my first tiramisu ever! taste soooo good!! thanks! ^_^
Hi, may I know what's the weight of the Philadelphia cream cheese. Is it the 250g one?
Yes, it is the 250g or 8oz ones.
the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract…when does that come into the mixture?
hopefully it wont make a HUGE difference because my tiramisu is still settling in the fridge 
i just made a tiramisu following this recipe and i completely forgot about the vanilla extract because i was following the text…
Anonymous: Oops! The vanilla extract is suppose to go after you beat in all the egg yolks. But anyway, i am pretty sure it would still be good.
thanks for the recipe IT IS EASY…and the taste is to DIE FOR…
Glad to hear it! If you're feeling adventurous add kirsch in place of vanilla extract. It changes the tiramisu into this black-foresty concoction that's phenomenal too!
heyy! wow, ypu're innovative =) btw if i was planning to use mascarpone cheese, how much would suffice?
Anonymous: I used two blocks of 250g cheese, so 500grams of cream cheese would do.
Elaine, talking about improvisation, have you ever thought of using kuih baulu instead of sponge fingers in your tiramisu? it works too, esp when you can't find sponge fingers in some supermarkets
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Followed yr recipe exactly. It’s my first try at making tiramisu. It came out perfect. Thanks!!
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