Raspberry Tiramisu

The last few weeks have been so relaxing! No more wedding plans to finalize, no more waking up in the middle of the night remembering something I have to do... it's peaceful! Work is usually fairly quiet during the summer months, so instead of my desk being a mountain of to-do lists and pages torn out of wedding magazines, I have a few novels, cookbooks and half-finished crosswords scattered about!

The wedding was magical. Our pastor did an amazing job for the ceremony, and despite being nervous about standing in front of everyone, I actually paid attention to what he said! The reception was a total blast. The hall was decorated beautifully and the food was to die for! We had a buffet featuring beef and salmon. Both were delicious. If I hadn't been afraid of bursting out of my dress (think Hulk), I would have eaten more... a lot more! The Edgefield baker did a wonderful job on our cake. It was a white cake with raspberry filling and a white chocolate cream cheese frosting. There were a number of other desserts set out, which sadly I didn't get to sample. Does anyone remember what any of these were?


Dale and I drove up to Portland on our days off last week to celebrate my birthday with my family. Instead of doing gifts, I requested that we make my favorite dish for dinner: Sun dried tomato pesto-stuffed pork tenderloin, with sides of garlic mashed potatoes and steamed fresh green beans (I'm risking droolage just remembering it). For dessert I wanted to make a raspberry tiramisu. My "Giada's Family Dinners" cookbook has this recipe... and a lovely photo that immediately won me over.


My sister Tiffany was happy to make this dish with me. It is composed of layer upon layer of ladyfingers, raspberry jam with orange liqeur, a mascarpone cream, and fresh raspberries. The longer this dish sits, the better it tastes! It is truly beautiful once completed. This would be a stunning dessert to serve at a dinner party! It can be made the night before or the morning of to allow the flavors to deepen. And any remaining ladyfingers are perfect with coffee or tea.



Raspberry Tiramisu
Giada di Laurentiis, "Giada's Family Dinners"
8 to 10 servings

1 cup seedless raspberry jam
6 tbsp. Grand Marnier (or another good quality orange liqeur)
1 pound mascarpone cheese, at room temp.
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
48 soft ladyfingers (2 3-oz packages) or 40 dry Italian ladyfingers (2 packets)
3 baskets fresh raspberries (about 4 cups total, but the more the merrier!)
Confectioners sugar, for dusting

Stir together the jam and 4 tablespoons of the Grand Marnier in a small bowl to blend.


Stir together the mascarpone and remaining 2 tablespoons of Grand Marnier in a large bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla in another large bowl until soft peaks form. Using a large rubber spatula, stir a fouth of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture to lighten. Fold the remaining whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.


Line the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish (or trifle bowl) with a third of the ladyfingers. Spread a third of the jam mixture over the ladyfingers. Spread a third of the mascarpone mixture over the jam mixture, then cover with a third of the fresh raspberries. Repeat layering with the remaining ladyfingers, jam mixture, mascarpone mixture, and raspberries. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.



Dust the confectioners sugar over the top right before serving. Enjoy!