Preparation time: 15 minutes
Refrigeration time: 3 hours
Cooking time: None

This recipe invented in the Venice region has become a classic of the Italian dessert repertoire. It consists of savoiardi (ladyfinger biscuits), stacked and layered with mascarpone cheese and flavored with strong coffee.

1. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture is pale;
2. add the mascarpone and mix well;
3. beat the egg whites to stiff peaks and fold them into the mixture;
4. dip the ladyfinger biscuits into the strong coffee and arrange a layer of them in the bottom of a serving bowl or in small individual cups;
5. cover with a layer of the mascarpone mixture; place another layer of coffee-soaked biscuits on top and cover with another layer of the mascarpone mixture;
6. refrigerate for at least three hours; serve cold, sprinkled with cocoa powder.