First, I combined blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. I cooked it over medium heat until the berries softened and released their juices, creating a fragrant syrup. After letting it cool slightly, I pureed it until smooth.
Next, I whisked the egg yolks and sugar over a double boiler until thick and pale. I folded in the mascarpone and vanilla extract, then gently folded in the whipped cream. The result is a silky, airy cream that’s perfect for layering.
I dipped each ladyfinger briefly into the blackberry puree to soak, then layered them in my baking dish. Over that, I spread a generous layer of mascarpone cream. I repeated the layers, finishing with a thick top layer of cream and a scattering of fresh blackberries.
Finally, I covered the dish and refrigerated it for at least 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, and the ladyfingers absorb the blackberry syrup for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.