Tour of Italy, Pt. I

Sunday Dinner, Italian Style!

Dessert:

Tiramisu Blondies

I love the flavors of tiramisu, but to make the traditional dessert is time consuming. It's hard to get manageable portions and there are almost always too many leftovers or no where near enough. I don't know about you, but desserts need to be quick, delicious and stress-free to be a success for me. These blondies were incredibly quick to put together, delicious and just the right portion. Not to mention pretty inexpensive to make!

Blondies:

1 1/3 cup Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 cup Sugar
1 packet Instant Coffee
1/2 cup Butter, softened
1 Egg
1 Tbs Coconut Cream (optional)
2 Tbs Rum (dark, preferably)

Beat together the sugar, coffee, butter, egg, coconut cream and rum until light and fluffy. Slowly add in the dry ingredients until well incorporated. Spread evenly in the bottom of a greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until light golden brown.

Custard:

1 cup Milk
1 cup Chobani 2% Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup white Sugar
1 packet Instant Coffee
3 Tbs Cornstarch
1/4 tsp Salt
2 Tbs Rum (dark)
1 Tbs Butter
1 Egg

In a medium sauce pan, stir together the milk, yogurt, cornstarch, sugar, coffee, salt and egg until smooth. Cook over medium heat until thick and just starting to bubble. Keep stirring to avoid scorching! Remove from heat and stir in the rum and butter. Cool to room temperature and spread over the blondies. Refrigerate until set. Lightly sprinkle cocoa powder over the top and voila!