Tiramisu Cups are your ticket to fancy dessert vibes without the hassle. Layers of creamy mascarpone, coffee-soaked goodness, and a dusting of cocoa all neatly packed into an individual cup—because who wants to share? These are perfect for parties, date nights, or anytime you need a little pick-me-up (pun intended).
This is the ultimate easy party dessert! Looking for more delicious ideas? Try my Prosecco Grapes, Champagne Cupcakes, or No-Bake Strawberry Tiramisu!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Sharing Required: Individual servings make portioning easy and eliminate the “who got the bigger piece?” drama.
- Impressive Yet Easy: This dessert looks fancy but is simple enough for any home cook to master.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Ideal for dinner parties, date nights, or special occasions when you want to wow guests.
- Customizable: Adjust the coffee strength, add a splash of liqueur, or even make it kid-friendly with hot chocolate instead of coffee.
These Tiramisu Cups are everything. They take all the best parts of traditional tiramisu—creamy mascarpone, bold espresso, fluffy layers—and simplify it into a cute, no-stress dessert. No raw eggs, no complicated steps, just pure deliciousness in individual portions. Perfect for parties or a treat-yourself moment, they’re as pretty as they are easy to make.
The only catch? They need at least three hours to chill so the flavors can meld. Trust me, it’s worth the wait. The coffee-soaked ladyfingers soften into perfection, balanced by the creamy mascarpone. It’s not traditional tiramisu, but honestly, it’s just as good—rich, satisfying, and sure to impress with minimal effort. You’ll be hooked!
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Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Tiramisu Cups requires just a handful of simple yet decadent ingredients. Each one plays a key role in creating the creamy, coffee-infused layers that make this dessert unforgettable. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mascarpone Cheese: The star of the show! This Italian cream cheese gives tiramisu its signature creamy texture. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Heavy Cream: Whipping the cream adds lightness to the mascarpone layer. Chill your bowl and whisk for the fluffiest results.
- Sugar: Sweetens the mascarpone mixture just enough to balance the bold espresso. Use superfine sugar for quicker dissolving.
- Ladyfingers: These spongey biscuits soak up espresso like a dream. Use crispy, store-bought ones for the best texture.
- Espresso: The bold, rich flavor base. Brew it fresh and let it cool completely before dipping the ladyfingers. (No one wants soggy biscuits!)
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances the flavors of the mascarpone layer. Use pure vanilla for the best taste.
- Cocoa Powder: A classic topping for tiramisu! Dust it generously over the top for a rich, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet cream.
- Chocolate Shavings (Optional): Add an extra layer of decadence by sprinkling chocolate shavings or curls on top. Use a vegetable peeler to shave a chocolate bar easily.
These ingredients come together to create a dessert that’s as indulgent as it is elegant. A few pro tips along the way will guarantee success every time!
Variations and Substitutions
Tiramisu Cups are incredibly versatile, making it easy to customize them to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Here are some fun variations to try:
- Kid-Friendly Tiramisu: Swap the espresso for hot chocolate or decaf coffee, and leave out any liqueurs for a dessert the whole family can enjoy.
- Boozy Twist: Add a splash of coffee liqueur, amaretto, or marsala wine to the espresso for a grown-up kick.
- Nutty Flair: Sprinkle crushed pistachios, hazelnuts, or almonds between the layers for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Matcha Tiramisu: Replace the espresso with matcha tea for a unique, earthy twist and dust the top with matcha powder instead of cocoa.
- Caramel Tiramisu: Drizzle a layer of caramel sauce over the ladyfingers before adding the mascarpone mixture for an extra indulgent touch.
These variations give you endless ways to reinvent this classic dessert while keeping the same creamy, dreamy vibes. Experiment and find your favorite version!
Tiramisu Cups Recipe
These Tiramisu Cups are simple to make and so impressive. Here’s a quick breakdown of the steps:
- Brew the Espresso: Make your coffee and let it cool while you prepare the cream.
- Whip the Cream: Beat heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form, being careful not to overmix.
- Mix the Mascarpone: Gently fold room-temperature mascarpone into the whipped cream until smooth and creamy.
- Layer the Cups: Pipe or spoon a layer of mascarpone cream into your glasses. Dip ladyfingers in espresso, break them into pieces, and layer over the cream. Repeat the layers until the glasses are full, ending with cream on top.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to let the flavors meld.
- Finish and Serve: Dust with cocoa powder, garnish if desired, and enjoy!
Quick, elegant, and incredibly delicious—these Tiramisu Cups are the perfect dessert for any occasion.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Make-Ahead Tips
Tiramisu Cups are the perfect make-ahead dessert! Assemble them up to 24 hours in advance, cover each cup tightly with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate. The extra chill time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making them even more delicious. Just wait to dust with cocoa powder or add any toppings until right before serving to keep everything fresh and picture-perfect.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The mascarpone cream and coffee-soaked ladyfingers will stay fresh and flavorful, but for best texture, enjoy them sooner rather than later. These cups don’t freeze well due to the creamy filling, so stick with fridge storage for optimal results.
With these tips, you can have a stunning dessert ready whenever you need it!
Tips for Success:
Use High-Quality Espresso: The espresso is the backbone of tiramisu flavor, so choose a bold, rich coffee. Freshly brewed espresso is best, but if you don’t have an espresso maker, use strong brewed coffee or an instant espresso powder mixed to taste. Let it cool completely before dipping the ladyfingers.
Don’t Over-Soak the Ladyfingers: A quick dip in the espresso is all you need—just enough to coat the outside. Over-soaking can make them mushy and compromise the layers.
Room-Temperature Mascarpone: Allow the mascarpone to come to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps. Cold mascarpone can clump when combined with the whipped cream.
Chill Your Whipping Cream Tools: For the fluffiest whipped cream, chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10 minutes before whipping.
Layer Neatly for Presentation: Use a piping bag for the mascarpone cream to create clean, even layers in your cups. No piping tip? No problem—just cut the end of the bag to the desired size.
Chill for Best Flavor: Let the cups chill for at least 3 hours, or overnight if possible. This allows the flavors to meld and the layers to set perfectly.
Finish Right Before Serving: Dust the top with cocoa powder and add optional chocolate shavings just before serving for the freshest presentation and flavor.
Customize to Taste: Add a splash of coffee liqueur or amaretto to the espresso for a boozy twist, or adjust the sugar to make it more or less sweet.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Brew a strong cup of coffee or use instant coffee powder to mimic the bold flavor of espresso. The richer the coffee, the better the flavor.
Mascarpone is key for the authentic creamy texture, but you can substitute it with cream cheese blended with a little heavy cream to soften it. Keep in mind, the flavor will be slightly tangier.
Just a quick dip—1-2 seconds is enough! If you soak them too long, they’ll become mushy and fall apart.
Of course! Substitute the espresso with hot chocolate or a non-caffeinated alternative for a kid-friendly or coffee-free version.
Freezing is not recommended because the creamy layers may separate when thawed. Stick with refrigerator storage for the best results!
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Tiramisu Cups
Ingredients
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 7 ladyfingers
- 1/2 cup espresso quality
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon cocoa
- chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Start by brewing the espresso coffee and letting it cool for a few minutes. Pour the espresso into a shallow dish and set it aside while you prepare the mascarpone cream.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the heavy cream and sugar. Use an electric hand mixer to whip the mixture until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat, as this can turn the cream into butter.
- Add the room-temperature mascarpone cheese to the whipped cream. Gently fold it in using a spatula until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Avoid overmixing to maintain the light texture.
- Transfer the mascarpone cream to a piping bag. You don’t need a piping tip—just cut a medium-sized hole at the end of the bag for easy layering.
- Pipe a layer of mascarpone cream into the bottom of each glass or jar. Break the ladyfingers into thirds, dip them briefly into the cooled espresso, and place them over the cream layer.
- Repeat the process with another layer of cream, followed by another layer of dipped ladyfingers. Finish with a final layer of mascarpone cream on top.
- Cover the glasses or jars with lids or plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to develop.
- Just before serving, dust the tops with cocoa powder. Add optional garnishes like chocolate shavings if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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