Grand Marnier-Marinated Strawberries

INGREDIENTS
2 pints strawberries, hulled
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon superfine sugar, or to taste
1 teaspoon dried lavender buds

DIRECTIONS
Slice the strawberries in half lengthwise and place them in a glass bowl. Pour ¼ cup of the Grand Marnier over the berries, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

When ready to serve, stir the berries and Grand Marnier. Place the cream and 1 tablespoon sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until the cream begins to thicken. Drizzle in the remaining 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier and continue to whip until stiff but smooth peaks from, adding more sugar if you prefer a sweeter cream. Spoon a dollop of the cream on top of the berry bowl and dot the cream with the lavender buds. Place the rest of the whipped cream in a small serving bowl. Serve the berries and the cream immediately. {from HWM}