Tiramisu Espresso Martini No-bake Cheesecake

, from Issue #101. January, 2022
Photography by Josh Griggs.
Tiramisu Espresso Martini No-bake Cheesecake

Wait, what? Yes, you read correctly… and soooo good!

Serves: 10-12

INGREDIENTS

BASE
90 grams melted butter
1 tablespoon instant espresso
250 grams chocolate biscuits

FILLING
2 tablespoons instant espresso
120ml Kahlua
10 Savoiardi biscuits
4 sheets Equagold Gold gelatine
500 grams cream cheese, at room temperature
250 grams mascarpone
1 cup caster sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste

TOPPING
1 cup cream
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
250 grams mascarpone
80 grams dark chocolate, finely grated

EQUIPMENT: Line the base and sides of a 23cm springform cake tin with baking paper

METHOD

BASE: Mix the melted butter and espresso granules together, then add to a food processor along with the chocolate biscuits and whizz until the mixture resembles wet sand. Pour into the prepared tin and use the base of a glass to press it into the base and sides. Put in the fridge to chill.

FILLING: Whisk the espresso granules and Kahlua together in a small bowl. Briefly dip each Savoiardi biscuit in the Kahlua mixture and place in a single layer on the biscuit crumb base. You will need to break a few biscuits in half to completely cover the base. Refrigerate until needed. Strain the remaining liquid into a microwave-safe bowl. Put the gelatine sheets in a bowl of cold water for 5 minutes.

Whizz the cream cheese, mascarpone, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla together in a food processor. Heat the remaining Kahlua liquid in the microwave until hot – about 45 seconds on high. Remove the gelatine from the water and squeeze out any liquid. Add to the hot Kahlua mixture and whisk until dissolved. Add the gelatine mixture to the cream cheese mixture, then whizz until smooth. Pour over the Savoiardi-lined base and chill for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.

TOPPING: Whisk the cream to firm peaks, then whisk in the vanilla and mascarpone. Top the cheesecake with the cream mixture and sprinkle with chocolate to serve.