Strawberry Tiramisu

My step-daughter's birthday was this past weekend, so we had her and her new husband over for dinner.  I wanted to make a special dessert for her birthday, but since she's been eating her wedding cake all week I decided to not go the cake route.  Strawberry cake and shortcake are some of her favorite desserts, so I knew I wanted to do something with strawberries.  That's when I remembered seeing a picture somewhere of strawberry tiramisu and thought that just might be the perfect birthday treat for her!  She gave little jars of strawberry jam away at her wedding as favors, and I had a bunch of them that were left from the wedding.  I thought using the leftover jam would make her birthday dessert even more special.

I found a recipe for Stawberry Tiramisu from Bon Appetite, but after looking it over I decided to do my own thing.  This dessert turned out to be absolutely delicious!  I loved how light it was, yet full of strawberry flavor.  I really loved this and will most definitely be making it again in the future!  Here's how I made it:

Strawberry Tiramisu

2 packages lady fingers
1 cup strawberry jam
1/2 cup warm water
2 tbsp strawberry liquor
1 1/3 cup whipping cream
4-5 tbsp confectioner's sugar
16 oz mascarpone cheese, softened
1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced
3 oz white chocolate, shaved

In a medium bow whisk together the jam, water and liquor then set aside.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the cream and confectioner's sugar together until it forms stiff peaks.  In another medium bowl, fold together the mascarpone cheese and 1/2 of the whipped cream until incorporated.  Pour this mixture into the bowl with the rest of the whipped cream and fold it together until well blended. 

In a 13x9 baking dish, pour half of the strawberry jam mixture and spread it evenly over the bottom of the dish.  Layer 1 package of the lady fingers over the jam mixture, making sure to dish the pan completely.  Spread 1/2 of the mascarpone mixture over the lady fingers, then add a layer of 1/2 of the sliced strawberries.  Sprinkle 1/2 of the shaved white chocolate over the strawberries.  Next, pour the remaining strawberry jam mixture evenly over top of the strawberries and white chocolate.  Repeat layers:  add the rest of the lady fingers, then the rest of the mascarpone cheese mixture, then the last of the sliced strawberries and top with the remaining shaved white chocolate.  Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours before serving.