THE Tiramisu

Savoiardi Biscuits, 600g, Matilde Vicenzi, Vicenzovo brand is the best ( you don’t want gigantic ones)
Mascarpone Cheese, 500g
Eggs, 6, separated
Caster sugar, 220g
Vanila Paste, 2tsp
Coffee, hot and fresh, 2 1/2 cups (espresso is best, filter coffee is too watery)
Kahlua (4tbs)
Cocoa

The method has two main problems: the Kahlua instruction appears after the biscuits have already been dipped, and the layering instructions jump back and forth between two-layer and three-layer versions mid-stream. Here is a clarified version:

Beat egg yolks and sugar on medium-high speed for 10 minutes until the mixture becomes very pale, almost skin colour.

Add mascarpone and vanilla and beat until just combined.

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat — the whites must be stiff but not dry.

Fold half the whites into the yolk mixture to loosen it, then fold in the remaining whites until just combined. A few small lumps are fine and will soften during refrigeration.

Combine the hot coffee and Kahlua in a shallow bowl and set aside.

Line the base of a 29cm x 21cm rectangular ceramic dish with a single layer of biscuits, dipping each one in the coffee mixture so the base layer is well soaked — this layer should be the soggiest of all.

For two layers of biscuits (thicker mascarpone): cover the base layer with half the mascarpone cream, add a second layer of more lightly dipped biscuits, then top with the remaining mascarpone cream.

For three layers of biscuits (thinner mascarpone): cover the base layer with one third of the mascarpone cream, add a second layer of biscuits dipped a little less than the first, cover with another third of the cream, add a third layer of biscuits dipped even more briefly, then top with the remaining cream.

Sieve cocoa evenly over the top layer of mascarpone cream.

Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.

Note: I prefer to add the kahlua after the first layer of biscuits has been dunked. If added to the base, the alcohol tends to dominate.