Heavenly Strawberry Misu

Rachel Ray's Strawberry Misu

1 cup heavy cream, divided
2 - 8 oz containers mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 bag frozen strawberries, defrosted (I used raspberries instead...AMAZING!)
1/2 cup water
1 package lady fingers (if you can't find lady fingers, vanilla waffers work)
Cocoa powder, to garnish

In a medium mixing bowl, whip 1/2 cup heavy cream to soft peaks (I add some sugar and vanilla). In a large bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup heavy cream, mascarpone cheese, and confectioners sugar. The cream will loosen up the mascarpone making it easier to mix with other ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.

In a blender, combine strawberries and 1/2 cup water. Blend until you have a smoothie-like texture. Set aside until ready to assemble.

Layer the bottom of a sqare baking dish with lady fingers. Ladle half of strawberry puree over the cookies. Top with half of the cheese mixture. Add another layer of lady fingers and ladle the remaining strawberry puree over them. Add the rest of the cheese mixture add dust with cocoa powder.

*If you like a slightly sweeter Misu, sprinkle each cheese layer with confectioners sugar and replace confectioners sugar for the cocoa powder as a garnish. YUMMO!