This is a great dessert for two to end a special meal with. It is rich and decadent, but simple to prepare. If you do not have a vanilla bean you can substitute vanilla extract. It depends on your taste and quality of your extract, but usually 1-2 teaspoons can be used in place of the bean. Enjoy! 
2/3 C. plus 1/4 C. confectioners’ sugar, divided
1/2 C. strong brewed coffee
1/4 C. chocolate syrup
1 (8-oz) container mascarpone cheese
2 Tbsp. milk
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
18 crisp ladyfingers
Garnish: crumbled crisp ladyfingers and cocoa powder
In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, coffee, and chocolate syrup. In a medium bowl, combine mascarpone cheese, milk, and remaining 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into mascarpone mixture. Beat at medium speed with a mixer until smooth. Cover and refrigerate coffee mixture and mascarpone mixture until ready to assemble parfaits, up to 1 day. Dip 3 ladyfingers in coffee mixture and place in a 2-cup glass serving dish. Spoon about 1/3 cup mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers. Repeat layers twice. Repeat procedure with remaining ladyfingers, coffee mixture, and mascarpone mixture in another serving dish. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 2 hours. Garnish with crumbled ladyfingers and cocoa powder, if desired.
