SUPER-SIMPLE PUMPKIN TIRAMISU

Never heard of Tiramisu? Well lets see where do I start,Tiramisu - Pronounced tih-ruh-mee-SOO. Literally translated it means "pick me up" or "carry me up". It is an Italian dessert that is sometimes called an Italian trifle, although it has a much lighter texture than a regular trifle.

Tiramisu is composed of a sponge cake or ladyfingers soaked in a mixture of coffee (espresso) and brandy, then layered with a mixture of zabaglione and mascarpone.

Once assembled the Tiramisu is refrigerated for several hours so the flavors can mingle. Garnished with whipped cream, cocoa powder and sometimes cinnamon it makes a spectacular dessert.
Now finally, imagine that you have delicate white wings and are sitting on a fluffy cloud. You are experiencing the greatest dessert ecstasy of your life. You are in Heaven, and Heaven is in your mouth! Thats TIRAMISU!!

But today we are not going to make ordinary Tiramisu, no today we will make Pumpkin Tiramisu. Think of pumpkin mousse kissed with spiced rum, no scratch that lets think lighter. Imagine this very light almost-like-pumpkin-flavored-whipped-cream concoction on lady finger pastry soaked (no, more like "kissed") by Captain Morgan himself. Got that? Light, creamy, smooth lady fingers, the rich aroma of Captain Morgan spiced Rum? Okay now that I have your attention lets lets make this super simple pumpkin TIRAMISU.

THIS NEEDS TO SET UP OVERNIGHT, SO START ONE DAY AHEAD.

Beat 1 and 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream and 3/4 cup sugar until peaks form.

Add one 8 oz container mascarpone cheese, one 15 ounce can pure pumpkin, and 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, beat just until filling is smooth.
Line bottom of 9 inch diameter springform pan with 2 3/4 inch high sides with one 3 ounce package of ladyfingers, overlapping and crowding to fit. Sprinkle generously with spiced rum spread half of filling over ladyfingers.
Repeat with one 3 ounce package of halved ladyfingers and more rum be generous the lady fingers will soak it up!
And top with remaining filling. Smooth. Wrap tightly in plastic, then foil. Chill overnight. To unmold run knife around inside edge of pan. Release pan sides and sprinkle with 2 ounces crushed amaretti cookies.
If you have a hard time finding mascarpone cheese
as a substitute combine 1 package 8 0z cream cheese, 1/4 cup sour cream and 2 tablespoons whipping cream, mix until blended and fluffy.
Enjoy
Allison
allisonskitchen.blogspot.com

ALMOND CRANBERRY BISCOTTI

My husband and son love biscotti, I've never made it before so I thought I would give it a try. I found a recipe for almond biscotti in a old Womans Day magazine and I added a few of my own touches. If I would have known how easy this was I would have made it along time ago. This is definitely a keeper.

2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 T almond extract
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups All purpose flour
3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted and cooled
1/4 cup crasins
Decoration confectioner's sugar

1. Heat oven to 350. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray.

2. Vigorously whisk eggs,sugar,oil, and extract in a large bowl until blended. stir in baking powder, then flour until combined. Stir in almonds and crasins

3. Spoon a third of the dough onto a prepared baking sheet. With floured hands (dough will be soft and sticky) I found a large spoon worked better. form dough into an 11x2 in-strip. Repeat with remaining dough, making 2 more strips Place about 1 1/2 inch apart on the baking sheet( Don't panic if the dough starts spreading together just push them apart with your spoon.)

4. Bake 20 to 23 min or until firm and bottoms are golden. Cool on baking sheet on a wire rack 5 min. then transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, slice strips diagonally into 1/2 in. thick slices. Lay slices flat on baking sheet.

5. Bake 12 to 15 min. turning biscotti over halfway through baking, until lightly toasted. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. if desired, dust with confectioners sugar before serving.

Store airtight at cool room temperature up to two weeks or freeze up to two months.
These freeze beautifully so you may want to double the recipe.
Enjoy with tea or coffee.
Enjoy!
Allison
allisonskitchen.blogspot.com

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