Tiramisu cake

Cooking Time 30 minutes







Ingredients (serves 6)
Vegetable oil, to grease
100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
1 x 75g pkt toasted slivered almonds
1 x 350g pkt double unfilled round sponge cake
125ml (1/2 cup) fresh espresso coffee
80ml (1/3 cup) marsala
45g (1/4 cup, lightly packed) brown sugar
2 x 250g ctns mascarpone
45g (1/4 cup) icing sugar mixture
1 tsp vanilla essence
Cocoa powder, to dust

Method
Brush a large baking tray with oil to lightly grease. Place the sugar in a large saucepan over high heat and cook, stirring, for 5-7 minutes or until sugar caramelises. Remove from heat. Add the almonds and stir to coat. Pour over the prepared tray and set aside for 10 minutes to set.
Meanwhile, use a large serrated knife to split each sponge cake in half horizontally. Combine the coffee, marsala and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Place the mascarpone, icing sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl and stir until well combined and mixture thickens slightly.
Place 1 sponge-cake layer, cut-side up, on a cake stand or serving plate. Brush the cut surface lightly with coffee mixture. Spread one-sixth of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the sponge cake.
Brush the cut surface of another sponge-cake layer with coffee mixture and place, cut-side down, on the mascarpone mixture. Brush the top lightly with coffee mixture. Continue layering with half the remaining mascarpone mixture and the remaining sponge cake and coffee mixture. Spread the top and side of the cake with the remaining mascarpone mixture.
Finely chop the almond praline and press evenly over the side of the cake. Dust the top with cocoa powder and cut into slices to serve.

Notes & tips
Spring has sprung at Taste.com.au so it's time to start thinking about barbecue recipes, picnic recipes and salad recipes. And don't forget we are always adding new recipes, too!

Source
Good Taste - March 2006, Page 92
Recipe by Sarah Hobbs