Sweet Tea Tiramisu

Sweet Jezebel's Note:

A Southern twist on tiramisu. Recipe is from Southern Living. Several of the recipe reviews on that site state that the tea taste is not strong enough in the recipe as written - with suggestions to use one or two more tea bags to make the flavor more pronounced. Preparation time includes 12 hours chilling time.

• Total Time: 13 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 13 hrs
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 2 family-size tea bags
• 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
• 2 (8 ounce) containers mascarpone cheese
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 2 (3 ounce) packages ladyfingers
• 1 -2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa

Optional

• sliced strawberry
• pitted cherry
• almond liqueur
• chocolate shavings

Directions:

1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a 3-qt. heavy saucepan; add tea bags. Remove from heat; cover and steep 10 minutes.
2. Discard tea bags. Add 1 cup sugar, stirring until dissolved. Bring tea mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, 20 to 22 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 1 cup. Remove mixture from heat, and let cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes).
3. Stir together mascarpone cheese, vanilla bean paste, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar.
4. Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form; fold into cheese mixture.
5. Separate ladyfingers in half. Arrange 24 ladyfinger halves, flat sides up, in the bottom of an 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Drizzle with half of tea mixture. Top with half of cheese mixture. Repeat layers once. Cover and chill 12 hours. Sift cocoa over top just before serving.
6. Optional topping: Toss sliced strawberries and pitted fresh cherries with a little sugar and almond liqueur; add shaved chocolate.