In a medium saucepan, add water, sugar, lemon peels, and lemon juice.
Heat until the sugar dissolves, and gently simmer 5-10 minutes until the liquid slightly thickens. Turn off the heat, strain out the lemon peels, and add any optional limoncello. Let cool.
Mascarpone Whipped Cream
In a large bowl, beat mascarpone, sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla until combined. Do not over-whip.
Assemble Tiramisu
Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the lemon sugar syrup (don’t soak too long or they can get very soggy). Arrange the soaked ladyfingers in the bottom of an 8x8 inch serving dish.
Spread half of the mascarpone filling over the ladyfingers. Add 1/2 lemon curd to the top of the mascarpone.
Repeat with a second layer of soaked ladyfingers, then the remaining mascarpone mixture, and lemon curd.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to develop and the dessert to set properly.
Just before serving, garnish with extra lemon slices, lemon zest, fresh berries, or a few sprigs of mint.
Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
This lemon curd recipe makes the perfect amount of lemon curd for this tiramisu! But, you can use pre-made or store-bought lemon curd (or your favorite homemade recipe!) Just make sure you have about a cup of lemon curd.
Use fresh lemon juice in the sugar syrup. It makes a big difference in the final tiramisu.
Limoncello is a fun addition to the sugar syrup mixture. But, be sure you like the flavor/brand of limoncello as you can definitely taste it in the final dessert.
This recipe makes 9 servings in an 8x8 inch baking pan, and the recipe can easily be doubled and prepared in a 9x13 inch pan.