Caramel Citrus Tiramisu

Tiramisu is Italian for "pick-me-up" and that's exactly what this popular dessert does. With its new caramel and citrus twist. It's sure to perk up your Holiday dinner or dessert buffet with the festive look and flavour of luscious Mascarpone cheese and real cream. For the adveturous - use blood oranges and/or mix 1/4 cup orange liqueur or brandy with juice to moisten ladyfingers - so delicious!!

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 3  cups  35% cream, divided
• 2  teaspoons vanilla, divided
• 8  tangerines or 1  small orange
• 1  grated lemon, zest of
• 1 (475 g) container  canadian mascarpone cheese
• 2  teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 (150 g) packages  giant ladyfingers
•  fresh mint sprig

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of the sugar and 1/4 cup of water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high and boil, without stirring until syrup turns a deep caramel color (watch carefully so it doesn't burn). Remove from heat, and while whisking, carefully pour in 3/4 cup of the cream the half of the vanilla; whisk until blended. Let cool.
2. Grate tangerines to make 1 1/2 teaspoons zest; set aside. Squeeze juice from 3 tangerines; reserve. Cut peel and white pith from remaining tangerines. Holding tangerine over a bowl, cut segments from between membranes. Strain juice from segments and add to reserved juice, Set segments and juice aside.
3. Stir 1 cup of the caramel sauce and tangerine and lemon zest into Mascarpone cheese. In a chilled bowl, whip remaining cream to soft peaks. Beat in remaining sugar, vanilla and the cornstarch until firm peaks form.
4. Layer half of the lady fingers in a dish. Drizzle with half of the reserved juice. Spread with half of the Mascarpone mixture; top with one-third of whipped cream. Repeat layers ending with whipped cream. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or for up to 1 day. Cover and refrigerate remaining caramel sauce and tangerine segments separately.
5. Just before serving arrange remaining tangerine segments decoratively on top of tiramisu and drizzle wirh caramel sauce. Garnish with fresh mint.