Welcome to the ultimate recipe for Tiramisu Cups, your new go-to for an impressive yet incredibly simple dessert. These individual tiramisu servings pack all the classic, coffee-infused flavor of the traditional Italian dessert into elegant, single-portion glasses. If you’ve been searching for a sophisticated dessert that requires no baking and can be made ahead of time, you’ve found it. Perfect for dinner parties, special occasions, or just a weeknight treat, these cups are guaranteed to wow your guests.
This recipe focuses on creating a rich, creamy mascarpone filling and perfectly coffee-soaked ladyfingers, all layered beautifully and finished with a dusting of cocoa. It’s a simple process with a truly show-stopping result.
Why You’ll Love These Tiramisu Cups
- Perfectly Portioned: Individual servings make for an elegant presentation and easy serving. No slicing required!
- Incredibly Easy: With simple steps and no oven time, this is a dessert anyone can master.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these cups a day in advance to let the flavors meld and make entertaining a breeze.
- Classic, Authentic Flavor: We stick to the core components that make tiramisu a beloved classic—rich mascarpone, bold espresso, and delicate ladyfingers.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Tiramisu Cups
The beauty of this Tiramisu Cups recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. You don’t need a long list of items, just a few key components to create dessert perfection.
For the Creamy Mascarpone Filling
- Mascarpone Cheese: This is the star of the show. Use a high-quality, full-fat mascarpone at room temperature for the creamiest texture.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipped to stiff peaks, this gives the filling its light, airy structure.
- Egg Yolks: They add richness and a custardy flavor to the filling. We’ll gently cook them to ensure they’re perfectly safe to eat.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides just the right amount of sweetness to balance the bold coffee and tangy mascarpone.
For the Coffee-Soaked Ladyfingers
- Ladyfingers (Savoiardi): These dry, biscuit-like cookies are essential for their ability to absorb the coffee without turning to mush.
- Strong Espresso or Coffee: Brew a strong batch and let it cool completely. The better the coffee, the better the flavor.
- Cocoa Powder: A final dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder provides the classic bitter chocolate finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Tiramisu Cups
Follow these simple steps to create your own beautiful individual tiramisu desserts. The key is to work efficiently and have all your ingredients ready to go.
- Prepare the Mascarpone Cream: In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until pale and fluffy. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold the mascarpone cheese into the egg yolk mixture until just combined, then fold in the whipped cream.
- Soak the Ladyfingers: Pour the cooled espresso into a shallow dish. Briefly dip each ladyfinger into the coffee, ensuring it’s moistened but not soggy. A quick dip on each side is all you need.
- Assemble the Tiramisu Cups: Break the soaked ladyfingers in half and place a layer in the bottom of each serving glass or cup. Spoon a layer of the mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers.
- Layer and Repeat: Add another layer of soaked ladyfingers, followed by a final layer of mascarpone cream, filling the cup to the top. Smooth the surface with the back of a spoon.
- Chill for Best Results: Cover the cups with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time is crucial for the flavors to meld together and for the dessert to set properly.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, dust the top of each tiramisu cup generously with unsweetened cocoa powder.
For a beautiful and easy weeknight meal, consider pairing this dessert after our Honey Mustard Salmon recipe. The light and savory main course is a perfect lead-in to this creamy treat.
Tips for the Best Tiramisu Cups
Want to ensure your Tiramisu Cups are absolutely perfect? Here are a few expert tips from our kitchen to yours.
- Don’t Oversoak the Ladyfingers: A quick one-second dip on each side is enough. If they absorb too much liquid, the base of your cups will be soggy.
- Use Room Temperature Mascarpone: This helps prevent lumps and ensures your cream is silky smooth.
- Chill, Chill, Chill: Don’t rush the chilling process. The time in the fridge is essential for the structure and flavor to develop. Overnight is truly best!
- Quality Matters: With so few ingredients, using high-quality mascarpone, eggs, and coffee will make a significant difference in the final taste. If you enjoy this, you’ll also love our decadent chocolate cheesecake cake.
Recipe Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is divine, you can easily customize these Tiramisu Cups to your liking. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Add a Touch of Liqueur: For a more traditional tiramisu flavor, add a tablespoon of dark rum, coffee liqueur (like Kahlua), or Marsala wine to the cooled espresso.
- Fruity Twist: Add a layer of fresh berries, like raspberries or strawberries, between the cream and ladyfingers for a pop of freshness.
- Chocolate Lover’s Version: Fold mini chocolate chips into the mascarpone cream or add a sprinkle of shaved chocolate on top with the cocoa powder. This variation is as comforting as our famous banana bread.
How to Store Tiramisu Cups
These Tiramisu Cups are an excellent make-ahead dessert. You can store them, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will actually deepen and improve by the second day. I do not recommend freezing them, as the mascarpone cream’s texture can become grainy upon thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tiramisu Cups
Yes, this recipe is written to be alcohol-free, making it suitable for everyone. If you want a more traditional flavor, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of dark rum, Marsala wine, or a coffee liqueur like Kahlua to the cooled espresso before dipping the ladyfingers.
Absolutely! Tiramisu Cups are the perfect make-ahead dessert. You can prepare them up to 2 days in advance. Simply keep them covered in the refrigerator. The flavors actually become richer as they sit.
This recipe gently cooks the egg yolks with sugar to ensure they are safe to eat, which also adds a wonderful richness. By whisking them until pale and fluffy, you are creating a stable and safe base for the mascarpone cream.
Stored properly in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap, your Tiramisu Cups will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
If you can’t find ladyfingers (Savoiardi), you can substitute slices of a dry sponge cake, pound cake, or even biscotti. The key is to use something sturdy that will absorb the coffee without dissolving completely.
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We hope you love this simple yet elegant Tiramisu Cups recipe! It’s a testament to how a few simple, high-quality ingredients can create something truly special. If you tried this recipe, we’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment and a rating below to let us know how it turned out! For more visual inspiration and delicious recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
Tiramisu Cups Recipe
Tiramisu Cups: The Easiest & Most Elegant No-Bake Dessert
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg yolks and granulated sugar together until pale, thick, and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the room temperature mascarpone cheese to the egg yolk mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined and smooth. Do not overmix.
- In a separate, clean bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until it forms stiff peaks.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture in two additions until fully incorporated and no streaks remain. The mixture should be light and airy.
- Pour the cooled espresso into a shallow bowl. Have your 6 serving glasses ready.
- Quickly dip a ladyfinger into the espresso for about 1 second per side. Break it in half and place it in the bottom of a glass. Repeat for all glasses.
- Spoon a layer of the mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers in each glass, dividing about half of the cream mixture evenly among them.
- Repeat the process with another layer of dipped ladyfingers, followed by the remaining mascarpone cream.
- Cover each cup with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. This allows the dessert to set and the flavors to meld.
- Right before serving, use a fine-mesh sieve to dust the tops of the Tiramisu Cups with unsweetened cocoa powder.
Notes
Chilling is Key: Don't skip the chilling time! It's essential for the best texture and flavor.
Alcohol-Free: This recipe is naturally alcohol-free. For a classic flavor, add 1 tablespoon of dark rum or coffee liqueur to the espresso.
