Cherry Tiramisu

Ingredients:
  Cherry Syrup:
     2/3 cup cherries
     1/3 cup granulated sugar
     1 cup water

  7 ounces lady finger cookies

  Mascarpone Filling:
     1 cup mascarpone
     3/4 cup whipping cream
     1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

Flavor options:
  10 large basil leaves,
  chopped or 2 ounces shaved chocolate or
  6 tablespoons dark rum

Directions:

1. For Cherry Syrup: Combine all ingredients and boil for 8 minutes. Let sit until it reaches room temperature.
2. Dip the cookies in the syrup for a few seconds each side.
3. Place a layer of cookies in a 9 x 9-inch square dish.
4. For Mascarpone Filling: Mix the cream, milk, and mascarpone together until smooth.
5. Top the cookies with a layer of the mascarpone cream, followed by the cherries taken from the syrup.
6. Add a layer of one of the flavor options, if desired ( if using the rum, add directly to the syrup).
7. Continue with another layer of dipped cookies and finish by topping with the remaining mascarpone cream.