Strawberry Mascarpone Tiramisu

Savor the essence of summer with this strawberry mascarpone tiramisu, a delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert that’s infused with the sweetness of strawberries.

Ingredients:

• 450 g mascarpone cheese, softened
• 2 cups heavy cream, chilled
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup strawberry jam
• 2 cups freeze-dried strawberries, ground, plus extra for garnish
• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 27 ladyfinger biscuits
• 1 cup milk, for dipping

Instructions:

1. Begin by whisking together the mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract, and sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
2. Pour in the chilled heavy cream and continue to mix with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes thick and holds firm peaks.
3. Fold in the strawberry jam and ground freeze-dried strawberries until evenly distributed throughout the cream.
4. Prepare a 10.5-inch x 7.5-inch baking dish. Briefly dip each ladyfinger into the milk—just enough to moisten, not soak—and arrange a layer of ladyfingers at the bottom of the dish.
5. Spread half of the mascarpone and strawberry mixture over the ladyfingers, leveling it with a spatula.
6. Create a second layer of milk-dipped ladyfingers, then cover with the remaining mascarpone mixture, smoothing the top.
7. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and place the tiramisu in the refrigerator. Let it set for at least 4 hours, though overnight is ideal for the flavors to meld.
8. Prior to serving, garnish the tiramisu with additional ground freeze-dried strawberries and fresh strawberry slices for a burst of flavor and a pop of color.

Additional Tips:

• Ensure the mascarpone cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps and achieve a silky cream mixture.
• Opt for high-fat mascarpone cheese for the best texture and stability in your dessert.
• To incorporate ingredients thoroughly and achieve a smooth texture, remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically.
• Dipping ladyfingers should be quick—over-soaking can lead to a soggy tiramisu.
• Prepare all ingredients before beginning the recipe to streamline the process.
• Quality matters: the better the ingredients, the more delicious the dessert will be.

Enjoy this strawberry mascarpone tiramisu as a sublime finish to any meal, a dessert that marries the richness of mascarpone with the bright, sweet flavors of strawberries.