1-First Step: Prepare the coffee soak Pour the 12 ounces of room temperature coffee into a shallow bowl or dish wide enough for dipping the ladyfingers. If you want a more grown-up flavor, stir in the 3 tablespoons of coffee liqueur or hazelnut liqueur. Let the mixture sit for a minute so the flavors blend evenly.

2-Second Step: Whip the cream In a large mixing bowl, whip the 1 1/4 cup heavy cream until soft peaks form. This usually takes a few minutes with a hand mixer, depending on the speed. Soft peaks mean the cream should hold shape but still look smooth and billowy.

3-Third Step: Mix the mascarpone and chocolate hazelnut spread In another bowl, stir together the 3/4 cup mascarpone cheese and 1 cup chocolate hazelnut spread until smooth. Since the mascarpone is at room temperature, it should blend more easily and avoid lumps. If the mixture feels stiff, stir slowly until it loosens. Now fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture. Use a spatula and work in gentle strokes so the filling stays fluffy. This step is important because it gives the dessert its creamy, spoonable texture.

4-Fourth Step: Dip the ladyfingers Take each ladyfinger from the 7 ounce package and dip it quickly into the coffee mixture. A fast dip, usually just 1 to 2 seconds per side, is enough. If you leave them in too long, they can break apart and make the layers too wet.

5-Fifth Step: Build the first layer Arrange the dipped ladyfingers in a single layer in your serving dish. An 8×8 inch dish works well, but a similar size baking dish is also fine. Try to keep the pieces close together so the base feels even. Spoon half of the mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers and spread it into a smooth layer. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to reach the corners. The contrast between the coffee-soaked cookies and the sweet cream is what gives Nutella Tiramisu its classic appeal.

6-Sixth Step: Add the second layer Repeat the process with another layer of coffee-dipped ladyfingers. Place them gently over the cream so the bottom layer does not shift too much. Then spread the remaining mascarpone filling on top and smooth it out.

7-Seventh Step: Finish with cocoa and hazelnuts Dust the top with the 2 tablespoons cocoa powder using a small sieve or fine mesh strainer. This gives the dessert a soft, classic tiramisu look. Then sprinkle the 1/8 cup crushed hazelnuts over the top for a little crunch and a pretty finish.

8-Final Step: Chill and serve Cover the dish and chill the Nutella Tiramisu for at least 4 hours. Overnight chilling is even better because it gives the layers time to set and the flavors time to blend. When you are ready to serve, cut into neat squares or scoop into dessert cups.