Traditional tiramisù is an Italian dessert similar to a parfait. It consists of Italian savoiardi or ladyfingers soaked in espresso and liquor and layered with a mascarpone and zabaglione cheese mixture. The final layer is often topped with cocoa powder, a bitter counterpoint to the sweetness of the ladyfingers and the lightness of the filling. The layered dessert is featured on Italian menus across the United States, though its history is difficult to pinpoint.
