Tiramisu - The Perfect Make Ahead Pick Me Up

I love Tiramisu.  It is hands down my favourite dessert of all time.  It has everything delicious -  rich cream, coffee and chocolate (cocoa), all mixed into one decadent dessert.  The name "tiramisu"  means "pick me up" or "cheer me up",  which it definitely does.  Although there are conflicting stories as to the dessert's origin, recipes for "tiramisu" are not known in cookbooks prior to the 1960's.  It is believed the dessert was created back then (in 1969) in Teviso, Italy in  by the owner of the restaurant "Le Beccherie."  Regardless of who created it or when, its worldwide popularity  can't be disputed.  Although the traditional way to make this dessert requires one to start with a sabayon, there have been many adaptations, including very simple ones like the one I have listed below, that are just as delicious as any original.  

250 g mascarpone cheese (just over 1 cup)

1 1/3 cups (heavy) whipping cream

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 - 1 1/2 cups espresso coffee (or strong coffee) cooled

1 package lady finger biscuits

Cocoa powder for dusting

Whip the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.  Add the mascarpone cheese and continue to beat until well incorporated and stiff peaks form. Dip the ladyfingers very quickly into the coffee and layer them on the bottom of a square 8x8 inch pan. Spread half of the cream mixture over the ladyfingers.  Dust VERY lightly with cocoa powder.  Repeat the process by dipping the ladyfingers in coffee and layering them over the first layer of cream.  Add the remaining cream over second layer of ladyfingers.  Dust the top with cocoa powder (more generously this time).  Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.