Easy Tiramisu

Submitted by Starscr292

6 oz. mascarpone cheese*

2/3 c. whipping cream

1/2 c. sugar

3 oz. pkg. french vanilla instant pudding, made to directions

1/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled

1/4 c. marsala wine

2 pkgs. crisp lady fingers (available in the Italian aisle of most groceries, do NOT use the sponge type)

2-1/2 c. espresso coffee or strong coffee, warmed

unsweetened cocoa powder, for garnish

dark chocolate shavings, for garnish

Place cheese in large bowl and let soften.  With electric mixer, beat cream and

1/4 c. sugar until soft peakfs form.  Fold cream into cheese.

Mix prepared pudding, melted and cooled chocolate, and marsala wine.  Fold

into cheese mixture.  Cover and refrigerate.

Whish warm coffee and 1/4 c. sugar.  Line a 9 x 5 loaf pan with plastic

wrap, allowing plastic to extend over sides.  Working with 1 cookie at a time,

quickly dip 8 cookies in coffee and arrange in single layer, side by side,

over bottom of pan.

Spoon 1/3 of cheese mixture over cookies.  Repeat 2 more times and end

with layer of cookies.  Press lightly to compact an dfold over with plastic.  Chill

at least 6 hours.

Unwrap and invert on platter.  Remove plastic.  Sift cocoa and sprinkle

with chocolate shavings over top.

* - In the event marscapone is not available, or you don't want to pay so much for it, (it's not horrendously expensive, but a little pricey), you may want to try one of these substitutes  - (1) Blend 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup whipping cream, or (2) blend 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1 tablespoon cream or butter or milk, or (3) Blend 6 ounces softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup cream (or Montrachet).