I made this the first time a solid 25 years ago. Any Tiramisu I encounter I compare to this one, because it is the best. Biba was on TV and this is her recipe.

Have all your ingredients laid out before you start. Make sure your espresso is room temperature.

6 egg yolks

1/3 cup sugar

16 ounces Marscapone Cheese, room temp

3 egg whites

2 cups espresso or super strong coffee

2 tablespoons rum or congac

42 ish lady fingers. imported, the crunchy kind.

1/2 cup cocoa powder

chocolate shavings or curls

In one bowl combine the yolks and sugar and beat until light in color and doubled in volume. Make sure there is no grit from the sugar. Add the marscapone cheese and mix gently until smooth.

In a second bowl whip the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture, set aside.

in a shallow bowl add the booze to the espresso.

Use a 13x9 inch pan. Quickly dunk the lady finger cookie into the espresso mixture. Line the ladyfingers lightly along the bottom of the pan. After a few moments you can squeeze them together if needed. Spoon over half of the marscapone mixture, spread evenly and GENEROUSLY sift the cocoa powder over the layer. Proceed with more lady fingers dunked quickly in espresso. Top with the remaining marscapone and sprinkle with cocoa powder.

Cover and refrigerate 12-24 hours. Top with chocolate shavings.