Steve's Tiramisu

My own tiramusu, born from many experiments gone wrong with a bunch of online recipes. Guaranteed to please!!!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 3  large eggs
• 1⁄3 cup sugar
• 1  cup  espresso
• 2  tablespoons marsala wine
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8  ounces mascarpone cheese
• 1⁄8 cup  cocoa
• 24  ladyfingers
• 8  ounces  whipping cream

Directions

1. Most of this recipe comes from the one on the side of the Belgioso mascarpone container ( the brand at stores around here), but with some changes. This recipe isn't an easy one - the most difficult part is properly saturating the ladyfingers without making them soggy - don't be upset if your first try doesn't come out so well.
2. In large bowl, combine 3 egg yolks, 1 tbs espresso, sugar, vanilla, and marsala wine. Beat ~3 minutes, and finally add mascarpone and beat 3-5 minutes more. Mixture should be slightly firm, and very tasty :). Add more sugar to suit your taste, I prefer 1/3 cup, some people like 1/2 cup.
3. In a separate bowl, add whipping cream & a pinch of sugar, whip until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold whipping cream into mascarpone mixture - should end up being fluffy but stiff.
5. Now, you need to layer the ladyfingers & mascarpone in a pan - I use a 8x8 glass pan, works perfect.
6. Here's the difficult part - your first layer should be ladyfingers soaked in espresso. I say soaked, but make sure they are not soggy. To soak the ladyfingers, I work with 1/2 a ladyfinger at a time, dipping each side for a split second, just enough to barely cover the top or bottom. If you soak it too much, just sqeeze the excess out like a sponge. If you don't get enough, use your fingers to drip some coffee on the ladyfinger, and sort of massage it inches Lay down 12 ladyfinger halves in the pan, and spread a layer of mascarpone mixure on top. Sprinkle cocoa on top of each layer.
7. Repeat for the next 3 layers.
8. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
9. Enjoy!