Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Set oven rack to upper and lower third of oven. Line two bake sheets with parchment paper.

Place egg yolks in standmixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the yolk, ½ cup of sugar on high speed until mixture is pale yellow and the mixture falls in ribbons with the whisk is raised (mixture will also triple in size), about 4-5 minutes. Lower the speed and add in vanilla and water. Beat for another 60-90 seconds, or until mixture thickens once more.

In a separate clean bowl, add the egg whites to a stand mixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy (mixture will look like well lathered shampoo). Turn off mixer and add cream of tartar. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until soft peaks from when whisk is raised, about 2 minutes. Gradually add remaining ¼ cup of sugar, beating until stiff glossy peaks form when the beater is raised.

Add in on half the meringue (egg white mixture) to the yolk mixture with a large sturdy spatula. Fold in flour until incorporated. Gently fold in remaining meringue and orange zest.

Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a round ½ inch pastry tip. Pipe 4 inch cookies onto prepared bake sheets, leaving 1 inch between each cookie. Bake until cookies become light golden brown and springy to the touch, about 8-10 minutes; rotate pans at 4 minutes. Transfer bake sheets to a wire to cool slightly. Remove cookies while still warm to a second wire rack to cool completely. Ladyfinger cookies can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container for up to three days and frozen for a month.

Place sliced quartered strawberries, sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and puree in a blender or food processor with orange juice. Set aside to cool completely.

Place egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar in a heatproof bowl set over (not on) simmering water. Continuously whisk mixture until sugar dissolves. Add in marsala and continuously whisk until mixture reaches 165 degrees F, about ten minutes. Remove bowl from heat and place bowl in ice water; whisk until custard is slightly cooled, about 1 minute. Set aside.

Place mascarpone in a standmixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment, beat on low until creamy, about 10 seconds. Increase speed to medium low and gradually beat in cooled custard until completely incorporated.

In a separate bowl, place heavy cream in a chilled bowl and beat with 2 tablespoons of sugar on low, gradually increase the speed to medium high and gradually add in remaining sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.

*Optional: Brush with boiled down orange jam. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.