STRAWBERRY MASCARPONE TRIFLE

Steps:

• Hull and slice strawberries into quarter-inch thick slices. Mix with 2 tablespoons of sugar and let stand while you prepare the cream mixture.
• Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Add mascarpone cheese, remaining sugar, and vanilla, and mix well to blend ingredients.
• In a clear bowl with steep sides or a trifle dish, place ladyfingers on bottom and brush with rum. Add a layer of sliced strawberries. Follow with a layer of mascarpone/whipped cream mixture. Repeat with ladyfingers, rum, strawberries, and cream mixture until you reach the top of the dish, reserving about 3/4 cup of strawberries for the garnish. The top layer should be the cream mixture, and can be piped on with a pastry bag or spread smooth with a knife or spatula.
• Arrange strawberry slices on top of the cream mixture in concentric circles, from the outside of the dish in, leaving a 2-3 inch border of mascarpone mixture around the edge, to create a flower design. Works best if you use the largest slices on the outer rings and smaller slices as you move towards the center of the dish. Finish by standing 4 small strawberry slices in the center like the center of a rose petal.