Ingredients
1 1/2 cups vegan heavy whipping cream , such as Silk, Cha's, Nature's Charm, Let's Do Organic or NutPods. You can also use regular heavy whipping cream if you're not dairy-free.
2/3 cup powdered sugar or powdered sweetener of choice sifted. You can use Lakanto powdered monk fruit sweetener or Swerve Confectioners for a lower sugar option.
8- ounce container vegan mascarpone cheese (such as Schlagfix) , room temperature. If you can't find vegan mascarpone, you can try making your own or sub with a thick dairy-free Greek-style plain yogurt or thick coconut based yogurt (such as Kite-Hill or Cocojune). Regular mascarpone works too if you're not dairy-free.
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups cold espresso or strongly brewed coffee
2 tsp alcohol of your choice , completely optional but feel free to add: dark rum, brandy or coffee flavored liqueur such as Kahlua or DaVinci brands.
24 gluten-free ladyfingers , One 7-ounce (200 gram Schär package. You can also use regular lady fingers (one 7-ounce 200 gram Savoiardi package) if you're not gluten-free.
2 - 3 Tbsp cacao powder or cocoa powder, for dusting the bottom and the top
A little bit of shaved or very finely chopped dairy-free or regular chocolate, for garnish. We like Pascha's Chocolate, Hu's Kitchen, Eating Evolved, Lily's Sweets or Enjoy Life.
Instructions
In a mixing bowl, add the whipping cream and use a hand mixer and beat at medium speed for about 1 minute (or in the bowl of a stand mixer). Add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla, and mix together until almost stiff peaks form. Add the mascarpone cheese and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Use a fine mesh sieve or sifter to lightly dust the bottom of an 8x8-inch dish with 1 Tbsp of the cocoa powder.
In a wide shallow bowl (large enough to fit one ladyfinger), add the coffee and the optional liqueur (if using). Quickly dunk one ladyfinger at a time, turning it so that all the sides are just moistened evenly but not soaked (just a quick dunk otherwise the ladyfingers start to fall apart). Arrange the dunked ladyfinger, rounded side up, on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Repeat with half of the ladyfingers, or until you’ve got an even single layer to fill up the bottom of the baking dish, breaking the ladyfingers in half as needed to fill in any large gaps.
Spread half of the mascarpone mixture evenly onto the ladyfingers (an offset spatula works well).
Dip and layer the remaining ladyfingers over the mascarpone layer in the baking dish.
Pipe the top layer with the mascarpone mixture using a piping bag (you can also just spread and make a smooth even layer) over the top.
Cover and chill in the fridge until set, for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.
When ready to serve, use a fine mesh sieve or sifter to dust the top layer with the remaining cocoa powder, then sprinkle very lightly with a little bit of shaved chocolate. Chill again for 30 minutes.
Cut into slices or scoop and serve.