Christmas Tiramisu

By OcadoLife
“In this Christmas Tiramisu, I’ve taken the classic Italian pud up a notch and given it a seasonal spin with (extra-boozy) mincemeat,” says recipe and food writer Ed Smith. “I think it’s the perfect Christmas Day…
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Time and servings

Total time
Servings
Prep time
Cooking time

Ingredients

11 total
  • 400g mincemeat
  • 4 tbsp brandy or dark rum
  • 20g coffee, brewed to create 250ml coffee
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 40g caster sugar
  • 250g mascarpone
  • 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 300ml double cream
  • 24 (approx.) savoiardi biscuits
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 10g (approx.) dark chocolate (70-80% cocoa solids)

Method

9 steps
  1. Step 1

    Put the mincemeat and 2 tbsp brandy in a small pan; warm over a low heat for 10-15 mins, until the mixture has thinned enough to be spreadable. Set aside to cool.

  2. Step 2

    Mix the coffee with 1 tbsp brandy and pour into a small container into which a sponge finger can be dunked; set aside.

  3. Step 3

    In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar and remaining 1 tbsp brandy for 3 mins or so with an electric whisk, until the mixture is pale and doubled in volume.

  4. Step 4

    In a separate larger bowl, combine the mascarpone, vanilla bean paste and cream, then whisk until barely past ribbon stage and not yet soft peaks – it should be voluminous and stiffening but still loose.

  5. Step 5

    Use a large spoon to fold in the egg yolk mixture, then – only if needed – make a few swipes with a balloon whisk to return it to that not-quite-soft-peak stage.

  6. Step 6

    To assemble the tiramisu, spread half the cooled mincemeat mixture over the base of a deep, 2-litre serving dish (there will be some gaps). One at a time, dunk half the biscuits into the coffee so that they’re wet but not soggy, and transfer directly to the dish until the base is covered; spread just under half of the mascarpone mixture over the biscuits.

  7. Step 7

    Continue with another layer of coffee-soaked biscuits, followed by the remaining mincemeat and mascarpone. Use a small sieve to dust the top with cocoa powder; chill for at least 3 hrs or up to 2 days.

  8. Step 8

    Just before eating, finely grate the dark chocolate over the top, then serve.

  9. Step 9

    Recipe Tip: Allow extra time for chilling.