Easter Sunday Whats a mother to do? Strawberry Tiramisu

It's the evening before Easter Sunday, and I am up to no good in the kitchen, again! I am making a wonderful dessert, a take on the Italian Classic, Tiramisu.  This version is not chocolate and coffee, but orange and Strawberry.  It is better to make this ahead, its yummier when its sits overnight and melds together. Now if I can just wait until tomorrow to eat it! 

Strawberry Tiramisu

Servings/Yield

8 servings

Prepare this a day ahead so all of the ingredients can meld and the ladyfingers can soften fully. 

• 1 ¼ cups strawberry preserves
• ⅓ cup plus 4 tablespoons Cointreau or other orange liqueur
• ⅓ cup orange juice
• 1 lb. mascarpone cheese*, room temperature
• 1 ⅓ cups chilled whipping cream
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 52 (about) crisp ladyfingers (boudoirs or savoiardi)
• 1 ½ lbs. fresh strawberries, divided

Method

Whisk preserves, 1/3 cup Cointreau, and orange juice in 2-cup measuring cup. Place mascarpone cheese and 2 tablespoons Cointreau in large bowl; fold just to blend. Using electric mixer, beat cream, sugar, vanilla, and remaining 2 tablespoons Cointreau in another large bowl to soft peaks. Stir 1/4 of whipped cream mixture into mascarpone mixture to lighten. Fold in remaining whipped cream.

Hull and slice half of strawberries. Spread 1/2 cup preserve mixture over bottom of 3-quart oblong serving dish or a 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Arrange enough ladyfingers over strawberry mixture to cover bottom of dish. Spoon 3/4 cup preserve mixture over ladyfingers, then spread 2 1/2 cups mascarpone mixture over. Arrange 2 cups sliced strawberries over mascarpone mixture. Repeat layering with remaining lady fingers, preserve mixture, and mascarpone mixture. Cover with plastic and chill at least 8 hours or overnight.

Slice remaining strawberries. Arrange over tiramasù and serve.

Notes

*Italian cream cheese available at supermarkets and at Italian markets.