Name: Tiramisu with Brandy Custard
Yield: Makes 12 Servings
Ingredients: 6 large eggs; 1 1/3 cups sugar; 5 tablespoons brandy; 1 1/2 pounds mascarpone cheese*; 1 1/2 cups water; 1/2 cup instant espresso powder; 3/4 cup chilled whipping cream; 44 (about) crisp Italian ladyfinger cookies (from two 7-ounce packages)**; 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/4 cup powdered sugar

"During parents' weekend at Bowdoin College here in Brunswick, a group of us went to Rachel's Wood Grill, a restaurant in nearby Portland," says Jennifer Buechner of Brunswick, Maine. "Dinner was great, but the tiramisù we had for dessert was out of this world. I'd love to serve it for a graduation dinner."

A perfect do-ahead dessert for a party.

Recipe notes

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