Grandma’s Blackberry Tiramisu

My grandma used to make this Blackberry Tiramisu for any family event, and it truly always was the star dessert! Another pro of making this recipe is the extra blackberry syrup can be thickened and then used to top other treats or flavor other desserts!

Blackberry Syrup:

• 4 cups Superman Blackberries
• ½ cup water
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Mascarpone Filling:

• 1 ½ cup heavy cream
• 16 ounces mascarpone cheese (cold or room temp.)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup blackberry syrup (from recipe above)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

For Assembly:

• 1 (7 oz) package Savoiardi ladyfingers (about 24)

INSTRUCTIONS

Make the Blackberry Syrup:

1. Place blackberries and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Using a potato masher or a fork, crush the berries. Bring the berries to a simmer, then lower temperature to medium-low and simmer for about 2 minutes.
2. Remove pan from heat and pour berries into a fine-mesh strainer set over a glass measuring cup. Using the back of a ladle or spoon, press on the berries to squeeze out as much juice as possible. Discard seeds.
3. Return blackberry juices to the pan, then add the sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 4-5 minutes until mixture reduces slightly. Remove from heat and chill in refrigerator to cool completely.*

Make the Filling:

1. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Transfer whipped cream to a separate bowl, return bowl to the mixer, and replace whisk attachment with paddle attachment.
2. To the mixer, add the mascarpone cheese, sugar, 3/4 cup of the blackberry syrup, and vanilla. Beat on high until combined. Add about a cup of the whipped cream and continue beating until incorporated. Gently fold in the rest of the whipped cream.

Assemble Tiramisu:

1. One at a time, dip the ladyfingers in the blackberry syrup until soaked but not soggy; arrange in an even layer along the bottom of an 8-inch square dish.** (Line the ladyfingers up in two straight rows of six.***) Spread half of the the mascarpone filling on top of the ladyfingers. Place another layer of blackberry syrup-soaked ladyfingers on top of the filling.
2. Spread half of the remaining filling on top of the ladyfingers. Transfer remaining filling to a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip (or a gallon ziplock bag with the corner cut off), and pipe the filling evenly over the tiramisu.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.