Tiramisu - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. strong Espresso, cooled
2 pkg. Savoiardi (Italian ladyfingers) or regular ladyfingers
8 egg yolks, at room temperature
10 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 lb. Mascarpone
1/2 c. Marsala (sweet or semi-secco)
1/2 c. brandy
2 c. heavy cream
cocoa powder
grated or shaved bittersweet chocolate (optional)

Preparation

Tiramisu, which in Venetian dialect means \"pick me up\", is a very old dessert that was first concocted in or around Venice toward the end of the 1700's.
Legend has it that it was formulated for Casanova and other rakes, craving the energy generated by its high content of caffeine and sugar.