White Chocolate Tiramisu Trifle with Spiced Pears

(57) Course Desserts

Ingredients in this Recipe

1 1/4 cups sugar
1 750 ml bottle dry white wine
1 8 to 8.8 ounce container mascarpone cheese*
1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1/3 cup poire Williams (clear pear brandy)
1/4 cup minced crystallized ginger
1/4 cup water
12 whole green cardamom pods, crushed in resealable plastic bag with mallet
2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
2 cups pear juice or pear nectar
3 3 ounce packages soft ladyfingers,** separated
4 1 inch diameter rounds peeled fresh ginger (each about 1/8 inch thick)
5 large firm but ripe Anjou pears (3 to 31/4 pounds), peeled
7 ounces high quality white chocolate (such as Lindt or Perugina), finely chopped

See Full Recipe at Epicurious