South Beach Diet Tiramisu

Ingredients:

• 6 large egg whites
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup + 2 tsp granular sugar substitute
• 6 tbsp whole-grain pastry flour
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup fat-free or light whipped topping
• 1/4 cup strongly brewed decaffeinated espresso
• 1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• Mint sprigs for garnish

Makes 4 Servings

1. Heat  the oven to 350 F. Lightly coat an 8 X 8-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, with and electric mixer at high speed, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla and beat to combine. Add 1/3 cup of the sugar substitute and beat until stiff peaks form. Sift 2 tablespoons of the flour over beaten egg whites and gently fold to incorporate. Repeat twice with remaining flour until all of the flour is incorporated.
3. Pour batter into the pan and gently smooth the top. Bake, turning once halfway through, until cake is golden and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool completely.
4. In a small bowl, combine ricotta, whipped topping, remaining 2 teaspoon sugar substitute and remaining 1/4 tsp vanilla. Cut cake in half vertically down the middle to make two 4 X 8-inch pieces. Place the halves on a flat work surface. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of espresso onto each half. Spread half of the ricotta mixture onto one of the halves and dust with half of the cocoa powder. Top with remaining cake half; spread the top with the remaining ricotta mixture and dust with remaining cocoa powder. Using a serrated knife, gently cut cake crosswise into 4 slices and serve with mint leaves for garnish, if using.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. Tiramisu literally means 'pick me up' and what some would say is official dessert of Italy. Tiramisu is usually made of lady fingers dipped in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of egg yolks and marscapone and flavored with liquor and cocoa. I never had Tiramisu before and this was my first attempt at making this Italian dessert. My first was was a total success! It was light, fluffy and flavorful. I highly recommend making this dessert for company. Who doesn't love coffee and cake for dessert? I also recommend making this dessert early in the day so the flavors can blend during the day while refrigerated. Tiramisu should be on your list of desserts to master. Every pastry chef, celebrity chef and Iron Chef will agree as well. Yes, the photo of that piece of Tiramisu you see is 3 points. can you believe it?!