Tiramisu

Tiramisu is an Italian dessert made from savoiardi (known in the U.S. as ladyfingers), mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, and espresso. The name itself derives from the high content of eggs, sugar, and caffeine found in the dessert. Though at one point it was only served in Italy, it is now served throughout the globehttp://www.baking911.com/cakes/tiramisu.htm.

While there are now many variations, when prepared traditionally tiramisu is creamy, layered, and served cold right out of the refrigerator. The dessert is served either sliced and on a plate, or in a trifle deep bowlhttp://www.baking911.com/cakes/tiramisu.htm.

In the USA tiramisu started becoming popular in San Francisco, California in the 1990s and quickly spread throughout the country. It is now a staple on the desert menu of many fine dining establishments, cafe's and bakerieshttp://www.experiencefestival.com/tiramisu_-_history.

Where and when tiramisu originated exactly is not known for sure, but what is known is that it originated somewhere in Italy. There are some who claim the first tiramisu was created during the first World War by Women in Italy who wanted to send the men leaving for war off with something sweet. Others claim that the dessert started out as early as the Renaissance periods, where Venetian women would make the caffeine packed treat for men late in the evening so that they would have more energy for "evening activities".

The only hard in stone fact on tiramisu's original creation time dates back to as recent as 1971. An article was published as part of an Italian cookbook in 1981 stating that "10 years ago" in a restaurant named "La Beccherie" tiramisu made it's first appearance, and the owners of the restaurant claim to have invented the recipehttp://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Tiramisu_-_History/id/5533871.

• Amazon.com: Tiramisu Products and Italian Ladyfingers Cookies