• ½ cup sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 2 cups brewed espresso coffee, cooled
• 13 ounces mascarpone cheese at room temperature
• ½ cup chilled heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons coffee liqueur
• 24 crisp Italian ladyfingers
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon finely ground espresso coffee beans

Combine sugar and 3 to 4 tablespoons water in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring just to dissolve sugar; immediately remove from heat.

Place yolks in a large bowl and, whisking, add melted sugar in a slow and steady stream. Whisk until yolks are pale, thick, and cool. Whisk in ¼ cup of the espresso and the mascarpone.

In a separate bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks; gently fold into mascarpone mixture.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together coffee liqueur with the remaining espresso. Dip 1 ladyfinger in coffee liquor mixture, soaking 4 seconds on each side, then place in an 8- by 8-inch baking dish. Repeat to make 1 layer of ladyfingers, trimming as needed to fit snugly.

Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers. Make a second layer of ladyfingers soaked with the coffee mixture. Top with remaining mascarpone cream, spreading it smoothly. Chill tiramisu, covered, at least 2 hours. Just before serving, place cocoa and ground espresso beans into a fine strainer and shake onto the tiramisu.