This Italian dessert is such an easy, delicious recipe to prepare and believe it or not, it has no eggs or mascarpone cheese! It's best to make a day in advance, which will save you loads of time on the day that you want to serve it.
Coffee Soak:
3 c. cold brew coffee (tastes best and easier to buy in a bottle or can if you buy at a grocery store instead of making your own)
2 T. instant coffee
2 t. vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Cream Layer:
16 oz. cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/2 - 1 c. light brown sugar, depending on how sweet you prefer it
2 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
2 t. vanilla extract
1 T. bourbon
1/2 t. kosher salt
1 c. hot fudge sauce, warmed and pourable but not scalding hot
2 packages of crunchy lady finger cookies, about 30-35 cookies
1/2 c. cocoa powder, for dusting center and top of the finished pudding
Coffee Soak:
Prepare the coffee soak in a wide and shallow bowl; set aside.
Cream Layer:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or with a hand mixer, cream the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth; slowly stream the whipping cream into the mixture.
Add bourbon, vanilla, cinnamon and salt; beat on medium speed until whipping cream begins to thicken and has medium peaks. DO NOT over mix. Set aside.
Prepare Work Station:
The coffee soak, a plate of cookies, the cream, the warm fudge and a 9 x 13 pan.
Dunk lady fingers into the coffee, count to 2, flip over, and count to 1. Lay the soaked cookie quickly into the bottom of the 9 x 13 pan. Cover the bottom of the pan with the soaked lady fingers. Spread 1/2 of the cream over top of the soaked cookies. Drizzle 1/2 fudge over the top of the cream. Add a light dusting of cocoa powder.
Repeat this process once again; finish with a dusting of cocoa powder.
Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, but overnight is best!
Makes a 9x13 inch dessert.
PT0M