Name: Tiramisu Cheesecake
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 3/4 c. triple-strength coffee (reserve 2 Tbsp); 2 tbsp. plus 1 1/4 cups sugar; 1 tbsp. Kahlúa (coffee-flavor liqueur); 1 1/2 package imported Italian savoiardi ladyfingers (see Note); 3 bricks (8 oz each) 1⁄3-less-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel); 1 tbsp. cornstarch; 3 large eggs; 1 tub mascarpone cheese; 1 oz. bittersweet chocolate; Garnish: unsweetened cocoa powder and chocolate curls (directions follow)

Step 1Remove bottom of a 9 x 3-in. springform pan; wrap bottom with plastic wrap.

Step 2Stir coffee, 2 Tbsp sugar and the Kahlúa in a shallow bowl until sugar dissolves. Set 1⁄2 the ladyfingers aside. For each of remaining ladyfingers, quickly dip one side into coffee mixture and place wet side up on pan bottom to cover, cutting ladyfingers as needed to fit. Freeze about 15 minutes until firm. Lift plastic wrap, with ladyfingers, off pan bottom and place on a flat plate in freezer.

Step 3Heat oven to 325°F. Reassemble the springform pan and coat with nonstick spray.

Step 4Quickly dip one side of reserved ladyfingers into coffee mixture. Place wet side up on pan bottom to cover, cutting ladyfingers to fit and pressing to fill spaces. Freeze until ready to fill.

Step 5Beat cream cheese, 1 1⁄4 cups sugar and the cornstarch in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed until smooth. On low speed, beat in eggs, 1 at a time, just until blended. Beat in mascarpone and reserved 2 Tbsp coffee. Pour half the batter (3 cups) into pan; spread evenly. Top with ladyfinger layer from freezer; sprinkle with grated chocolate. Spoon on remaining batter; spread evenly.

Step 6Bake 45 minutes, or until center still jiggles slightly when shaken. (Air bubbles may form on surface; they'll sink as cake cools.) Turn off oven (leave door closed); leave cake in oven 45 minutes.

Step 7Carefully run a thin knife around the edge of the pan to release the cake (leave the pan sides on). Cool completely on a wire rack. Cover loosely; refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably 1 day for best flavor.

Step 8Remove pan sides; place cake on a serving plate. Dust with cocoa; top with chocolate curls. (For Chocolate Curls: Melt 4 oz semisweet baking chocolate with 1 tsp solid vegetable shortening. Pour into a foil-lined mini loaf pan or sturdy 3 1⁄2 x 2 x 1 1⁄2-in. pan made with layers of foil. Let set at room temperature. Pull a swivel-blade vegetable peeler down length of bar. Refrigerate curls until ready to use.)

Step 9Note: Imported Italian savoiardi ladyfingers are crisp and longer than the familiar soft sponge cake variety.

Tiramisu Cheesecake

Ingredients

Directions

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