Mascarpone Brulee with Fresh Berries

Ingredients

• 1 pint whole strawberries, stems removed
• 1/2 pint fresh blackberries
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 orange, juiced
• 1 (8 ounce) container mascarpone cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon white sugar
• 3 drops vanilla extract, or to taste (optional)
• 2 shortcakes, halved horizontally
• 4 teaspoons white sugar, or as needed

Directions

Mix strawberries, blackberries, 1/3 cup sugar, and orange juice together in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate, 2 hours to overnight.

Stir mascarpone cheese, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and vanilla extract together in a bowl.

Spread mascarpone mixture over the top of each shortcake half; sprinkle about 1 teaspoon sugar over the top to cover. Caramelize the sugar using a kitchen torch, 20 to 30 seconds per shortcake. Place each shortcake in a shallow bowl and surround with berries and accumulated juices.