Tiramisu Bread Pudding and Cream Sauce

Bread Pudding

• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 4 eggs, separated
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons dark rum
• 1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup very hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• 1 loaf day old light French or Italian bread, heavy crusts removed, cut into cubes (about 5 cups)
• 1 pinch salt

1. Butter a 9 X 12 baking dish and preheat oven to 350.
2. Whisk together egg yolks, mascarpone, 1/2 cup sugar, and rum and cocoa powder. Dissolve espresso powder in hot water. Pour both over bread cubes and mix to combine well. Set aside.
3. In stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat egg whites with pinch of salt. Add the other 1/2 cup sugar a little at a time, until meringue is shiny white and stiff peaks form. Gently fold meringue into bread mixture until thoroughly incorporated.
4. Put egg-bread mixture into baking dish, smooth top, and bake for 25-30 minutes. The top will be light brown and crusty and the center will be moist but not runny.

Cream Sauce

• 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup dark rum
• 1/3 cup sugar
• bittersweet chocolate, grated

1. Bring heavy cream to boil, add coffee and cocoa powders, and whisk till blended, cooking for about 30 seconds, while being careful not to burn cream.
2. Add rum and sugar, whisk together, and set aside to cool slightly.
3. To serve, pour some of the cream sauce in a dish and top with a square of bread pudding. Grate chocolate over the top.