One of my favorite desserts ever

This cocoa tiramisu is dangerous. I could easily eat the whole pan by myself. My family loves it and can't get enough. Traditional tiramisu is made with coffee, which we don't drink, and whose flavor we do not like, so we made our tiramisu with hot chocolate mix. The idea came from Mel's Kitchen Cafe. It is flavored with rum and almond extracts. The creamy homemade custard is mixed with mascarpone cheese. It is truly divine.

THE RECIPE:

1 c. hot water
2 packets good-quality hot chocolate mix OR 6 Tbsp. hot chocolate mix
1/8 tsp. almond extract
1/8 tsp. rum extract
1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
4 egg yolks
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 c. heavy whipping cream, divided
8 ounces mascarpone cheese*
30-36 ladyfingers biscuits*
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder

Combine the water and hot chocolate mix. When cooled, add extracts. Set aside.

In small saucepan, and over medium heat, mix egg yolks, sugar and salt. Add 1/4 cup cream. Stir for a few minutes, or until thickened enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Remove from heat and let cool 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, make whipped cream by beating remaining 1/2 cup cream until stiff peaks form. Beat mascarpone cheese into cooled egg mixture. Gently fold in whipped cream.

Whisk hot chocolate mixture often. Dip ladyfingers into hot chocolate, letting each side soak for about 1 second, then layer side by side in 8x8 baking dish. The last couple may need to be trimmed to fit. Top with half of custard, spreading evenly to edges of pan. Then with a mesh strainer, sprinkle with half of cocoa powder. Repeat layers: soaked ladyfingers, custard, cocoa powder. Refrigerate at least 8 hours before eating.

*I couldn't find these at Walmart, so I had to go elsewhere.