Berries With Mascarpone and Almond Lace Cookies

I found this originally on foodnetwork.com in one of Everyday Italian episodes; First Time Dinner Party and have changed it ever so slightly. This is a true summer delight! The cookie recipe I found on Bitsy's Kitchen.com and they are not hard at all. These cookies can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for 2 days or can be frozen for up to a month. Edited on 02/18/06 to add brandy to taste, we made it again and added 3-4 tablespoons of brandy and it tasted even better. We added it to the whipping cream - this is of course is totally optional.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• Berries and Cream Mixture

• 1  pint fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 1 1⁄4 cups fresh raspberries
• 1 1⁄4 cups blackberries
• 2⁄3 cup blueberries
• 4  tablespoons sugar
• 2  teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1⁄2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1⁄2 cup  whipping cream
• 1  pinch ground cinnamon
•  grated lemon zest, garnish (optional)
• 3 -4  tablespoons brandy (optional)

• Almond Lace Cookies (use 4-6 coarsely crumbled)

•  butter, for baking sheet
•  flour, for baking sheets
• 3⁄4 cup  ground almonds, food processor
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter or 1⁄2 cup unsalted margarine
• 2  tablespoons milk
• 1  tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon  grated orange zest

Directions

1. Cookies (Make first):
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Lightly butter then flour at least 2 baking sheets.
4. In large saucepan, combine rest of the ingredients.
5. Stir over low heat with wooden spoon until butter melts and ingredients are mixed well.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Place haeping teaspoon of batter 5" apart.(The batter will spread during baking).
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until evenly browned.
9. Remove from oven.
10. Using a wide spatula, remove the cookies and immediately shape as desired, into tightly rolled cigarettes or fans, or allow to cool and serve flat. (These cool quickly - so know ahead of time - how you want them to look).
11. Berries and Mascarpone Mixture:
12. Toss the berries with, 2 tablespoons sugar and lemon juice in a medium sized bowl.
13. Let stand for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
14. Meanwhile, stir in the mascarpone cheese in large bowl to loosen.
15. Using an electric mixer beat whipping cream with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar,& pinch of cinnamon in another bowl to soft peaks.
16. Fold 1/4 of the cream into the mascarpone cheese to lighten and also add the brandy only if desired.
17. Add the sprinkling of grated lemon zest.
18. Fold in remaining whipped cream.
19. Using a slotted spoon, divide the berries among 6 plates.
20. Spoon cheese mixture atop the berries.
21. Sprinkle lace cookies over top.
22. Drizzle the berry juices around the desserts.
23. Serve immediately and enjoy!