Tiramisu has become a most popular dessert in Italian restaurants everywhere. And it is interesting to note, that most restaurants prepare it in a different fashion. I have tasted it with sponge cake layers, pound cake and ladyfingers. The fillings have varied also...from Mascarpone, ricotta and cream cheese. So with this in mind, this is my version of Taramisu, using the traditional flavors of espresso, rum, and chocolate and the easiest (and most delicious) version I could muster.

Coffee Mixture:
1 cup brewed espresso or 1 cup boiling water with
2 tablespoons instant espresso coffee.
1/4 cup rum
1 tablespoon sugar

3 packages (12 each) ladyfingers, split. You will have 72 halves.

To Prepare Ladyfingers:
In a bowl, stir together Coffee Mixture until sugar is dissolved. Brush ladyfingers halves with a little Coffee Mixture.

Cheese Mixture:
1 pound cream cheese or 1 pound Mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

1 cup cream, whipped
2 tablespoons sweet Marsala (optional)
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate, grated or chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla

Unsweetened cocoa for sprinkling on top

To Prepare Cheese Mixture:
Beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy and smooth. Beat in next 4 ingredients until blended.

To Assemble:
Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a10-inch springform pan and line it with parchment paper. (The butter will hold paper and ladyfingers in place.) Place 24 ladyfingers upright, along the edge, with the split-side toward center. Line the bottom of the pan with ladyfingers in a spoke fashion.

Place half the Cheese Mixture over the ladyfingers in pan. Place another layer of coffee-brushed ladyfingers over the cheese in a spoke fashion. Spread remaining Cheese Mixture on top. Sprinkle top generously with sifted cocoa.

Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. To serve, remove outer ring of pan, and using the parchment paper to help you, ease the dessert onto a serving platter. Serves 12.