Berry Tiramisu Delight

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 8 oz (225 g) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
• 1/3 cup (40 g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 24 to 28 dry ladyfinger cookies (savoiardi)
• About 1/2 cup (120 ml) berry soaking liquid (drained from macerated berries, topped up with water if needed)
• 1 cup fresh mixed berries for garnish
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. 1

   Macerate the berries: Combine 1 1/2 cups of the berries with the granulated sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Toss well and set aside for 20 minutes until the berries release their juice.

2. 2

   Make the mascarpone cream: Beat the room-temperature mascarpone with the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, about 1 minute. In a separate cold bowl, whip the heavy cream to medium-stiff peaks. Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone in two additions using a large spatula until just combined.

3. 3

   Prep the soaking liquid: Drain the juice from the macerated berries into a shallow bowl. Add water to reach about 1/2 cup total liquid. Set the macerated berries aside.

4. 4

   Dip and lay the first layer: Quickly dip each ladyfinger in the berry soaking liquid for about 2 seconds per side. Arrange them in a single snug layer in the bottom of a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.

5. 5

   First cream and berry layer: Spread half the mascarpone cream evenly over the ladyfingers. Scatter all the macerated berries across the cream in an even layer.

6. 6

   Second layer and top cream: Dip and arrange the remaining ladyfingers over the berry layer. Spread the remaining mascarpone cream on top and smooth the surface flat with a spatula.

7. 7

   Chill and garnish: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Just before serving, arrange the fresh garnish berries on top and dust with powdered sugar.