Tiramisu Cheesecake for a Classic Wedding

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Stir the ladyfinger crumbs and melted butter together to combine and then press this into the bottom of the prepared pan (using the back of a tablespoon makes this easy). Bake for 10 minutes and then cool on a rack while preparing the ganache.
3. Bring the cream and butter up to a full simmer in a small saucepan and pour this over the chocolate in a small bowl. Let this sit for a minute and then slowly stir the ganache until it is smooth. Pour this onto the baked crust and spread it to cover. Arrange the ladyfingers on top of the ganache, quite closely together - you can break some in half to make them fit, but there is no need to fill every bit of space.
4. Using electric beaters or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice. While beating, slowly pour in the sugar, stopping twice to scrape down the bowl. Add the mascarpone and, from this point on, mix the cheesecake at medium-low speed. Beat in the cornstarch followed by the espresso and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time until combined.
5. Pour this into the pan and bake (still at 350°F/180°C) for about 45 minutes, until the outside edges of the cheesecake are set and start to rise a little, but the center of the cheesecake will still have a jiggle to it. Cool the cheesecake on a rack for an hour and then run a palette knife around the inside edge of the cheesecake (this prevents any cracks from forming later). Cool the cheesecake to room temperature and then chill for at least 6 hours in its pan.
6. For the topping, whip the cream using electric beaters or in a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, until they hold a soft peak. Stir in the sugar, skim milk powder, and vanilla.
7. Run a palette knife again around the inside edge of the springform pan and remove. Lift the cheesecake up carefully and peel away the parchment paper, setting the cheesecake onto your serving platter or cake stand. Spread or pipe the whipped cream to cover the entire surface of the cheesecake and dust it generously with cocoa powder. Chill uncovered until ready to serve.