Lemon-Scented Mascarpone Trifle

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar
1 lemon, zested and juiced
16 ounces mascarpone cheese
1 store-bought pound cake, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
1/2 cup crème de cassis liqueur (sweet, red liqueur flavored with black currants)
2 cups quartered strawberries (or whole blueberries or whole raspberries)
Fresh mint leaves, chopped, for garnish

Directions:

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar with the lemon juice. Cook until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
In a medium bowl, combine the cooled sugar mixture with the mascarpone cheese and the lemon zest. Using an electric mixer, whip on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.

To build the trifle, line the bottom of a trifle bowl with a layer pound cake. Brush the pound cake with some creme de cassis liqueur. Spoon a layer of the cheese mixture over the pound cake, and then a layer of berries. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of berries. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with chopped mint leaves.