You could cut the tension in the Bake off tent with a palette knife this week as the contestants competed with the heat to perfect their puddings. There were some stunning showstoppers and the signature sticky puddings had us fancying a fondant (or three) but we were sad to see Iain lose his cool when his baked Alaska met a sticky end. We were especially pleased to see the bakers tackle the tiramisu technical and it got us thinking about alternatives for the dairy intolerant. We challenged the Nutritional Therapists to provide a cheese free recipe. How did they do? Well, the proof is in this pudding:
Delicious Dairy Free Tiramisu
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 130g unsalted cashew nuts
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 6 eggs, separated
- 30 lady finger biscuits
- 350ml cooled espresso coffee
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 50ml cognac or brandy
- For the Dairy Free Mascarpone (make the day before) Adapted from this recipe
- Combine the coconut milk, vanilla extract and cashew nuts in a blender until smooth
- Heat the mixture in a Bain Marie over a low heat for about 15 minutes until gently bubbling
- Add the lemon juice and keep on the heat for about 7 minutes until the cream thickens
- Remove the bowl and allow to cool
- Place four layers of dampened cheesecloth over a bowl and transfer the mix into this. Cover with cling film and chill in the fridge overnight to firm up
For the tiramisu
- Combine the sugar and egg yolks. Beat well until light and creamy.
- Add the dairy free mascarpone and half of your chosen alcohol. Beat well
- Separately, beat the egg whites until firm and fold into the mascarpone mixture
- Pour the coffee into a shallow dish with the rest of the alcohol and 1 teaspoon of the cocoa powder, stir well.
- Dip each lady finger in the coffee mixture, soaking one at a time
- Layer the bottom of a 20cm glass dish
- Once covered, top with ½ the mascarpone mix. Dust with cocoa.
- Repeat the lady finger layer, then mascarpone and a final dusting of cocoa powder.
- Chill in the fridge for 4 hours (be patient!) and serve
- Fancy judge-pleasing chocolate decorations optional
