Tiramisu

Recipe is from a friend at work. This is excellent!

Tiramisu

Ingredients:
1 large pkg./40 count of Lady Fingers
1 8oz pkg. of low fat whipped cream cheese (let it thaw at room temperature).
3 cups of low fat milk
1 large pkg. (5.1oz) vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp vanilla essence
1½ cup of lite whipped cream
½ cup powdered sugar
1½ cup cooled brewed coffee or coffee made with instant coffee powder
Cocoa powder
½ cup of toasted sliced almonds - optional
Milk chocolate (grated) - optional

Preparation:
1. In a mixing bowl add cream cheese & soften it with a spoon. Add milk & vanilla pudding to the cream cheese mixture. Beat until smooth. Cream cheese will stick to the beater, but constant removal of cream cheese from the beater & beating it well, will give a smooth mixture. Keep this mixture separate.
2. In another mixing bowl add the whipped cream, powdered sugar & vanilla essence. Mix it well & keep aside.
3. Mix 1/3rd cup of the above whipped cream mixture into the pudding mixture & mix well.
4. Prepare coffee & let it cool well.


Arranging the Tiramisu layers:
1. Need a Medium sized, deep pan to fit the layers of lady finger cookies and the pudding mixture. There will be 3 layers of lady fingers with pudding mix in between. The third layer will be topped with whipping cream. Coat the pan with Pam spray.
2. Split the cookies, so that you will have cookies for 3 layers.
3. Dip the Lady Fingers in the coffee lightly (don’t soak the lady fingers; just coat on all sides) & arrange bottom layer in the pan..
4. Split the pudding mixture in 2 equal portions.
5. Spread one portion over the lady fingers.
6. Sprinkle cocoa powder evenly on the pudding (you can also add chocolate chips and/or walnuts now).
7. Repeat with the second layer of lady fingers and pudding.
8. Place the third layer of Lady Fingers & spread the whipped topping to cover the entire pan.
9. Sprinkle grated milk chocolate over the whipped cream & sprinkle toasted almonds.

Note: Refrigerate Tiramisu until ready to serve. Best & fresh when prepared a day before the party.