Tiramisu Cups

Just like the classic version, these mini-sized desserts are crafted with layers of coffee-soaked lady fingers, mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cocoa powder. The only real difference is the modern presentation, which adds a delightful twist to the timeless favorite.

Tiramisu Cups offer a charming and convenient way to enjoy the beloved flavors of the classic Italian dessert. The individual servings not only add a touch of sophistication but also eliminate the need for slicing, making them perfect for easy serving. So whether you’re hosting a formal dinner party or a casual family get-together, this easy tiramisu recipe is an effortless way to savor the taste of Italy and impress your guests.

Equipment

• Glasses or Small Dishes: You’ll need 6 glasses or small dishes to assemble and serve your individual tiramisu cups. Choose transparent glasses to beautifully showcase the layers.
• Mixing Bowls: You need three different mixing bowls to make the mascarpone filling.  
• Electric Mixer: Needed to whip the eggs and mascarpone cheese to the proper consistency. You can also use a stand mixer. 
• Rubber Spatula: Perfect for gently folding the mascarpone mixture without causing it to deflate. 
• Piping Bag: Makes assembling the mini tiramisu cups easy and gives the desert an elegant finish.

Ingredients

• 28 to 30 Ladyfingers: These delicate Italian cookies, also known as savoiardi, form the base and layers of the mini tiramisu cups.
• 5 cups Espresso Coffee: Infuses the ladyfingers biscuits with a strong coffee flavor, which contrasts well with the sweet mascarpone filling. If you prefer a non-caffeinated version, you can use freshly brewed decaf coffee.
• 500 grams Mascarpone Cheese: This smooth Italian cream cheese contributes to the creamy and indulgent texture. You can use an equal amount of regular high-fat cream cheese combined with a bit of heavy cream as a substitute.
• 4 Egg Yolks: Provide richness to the mascarpone cream and helps to create its velvety texture. Use organic or pasteurized eggs if possible. 
• 2 Egg Whites: Whipped egg whites make the dessert light and fluffy. Again, use organic or pasteurized eggs if available to you. 
• 100 grams Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the mascarpone cream and balances the bitterness of the coffee and unsweetened cocoa powder.
• 1 tablespoon Marsala Wine: Adds a little depth of flavor to the mascarpone filling and enhances the overall taste of the dessert. Dark rum is another popular option.
• 2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder: Used to garnish the dessert, choose Dutch process cocoa powder for the best flavor. You can also sprinkle the top of the individual tiramisu cups with some chocolate shavings if you like.

How to make tiramisu cups step-by-step

Brew the espresso

Start by brewing 4 to 5 cups of espresso or strong coffee and then let it cool to room temperature. You want the espresso to be cold when you dip the ladyfingers to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Whip the egg whites

Now, using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, whip the raw egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gradually add 40g of granulated sugar as you continue to beat the egg whites. The stiff peaks indicate that the egg whites are perfectly whipped.

Whip the egg yolks

In a separate bowl, use the electric hand mixer to whip the raw egg yolks together with the remaining sugar until they become thick, foamy, and pale. The mixture should be creamy and drop like heavy ribbons from the spoon when it’s ready. This step is crucial for achieving the velvety smoothness of the mascarpone cream.

Beat the mascarpone cheese

Next, beat the mascarpone cheese together with the marsala wine until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth. The wine adds a hint of sophistication to the classic dessert, but you can omit it if you like. You can use an electric mixer or a whisk for this step.

Make the mascarpone cream

Once you’ve whipped the egg whites, egg yolks, and mascarpone, you need to combine them together in a specific order to make the filling. To begin, gently fold the whipped egg yolk mixture into the whipped mascarpone cheese using a rubber spatula, being careful not to overmix.

Then fold the beaten egg whites into the mixture. This step requires a gentle touch to maintain the lightness of the mascarpone cream. Now, transfer the mascarpone cream mixture into a piping bag fitted with a round tip. You can also just use a spoon to layer the filling.

Dip the ladyfingers

Before you begin, line up all your glasses or small dishes. Then dip each ladyfinger, one at a time, into the cooled coffee and arrange them on the bottom of each glass in a single layer. You’ll need to break the ladyfingers in half as needed to fit the glasses.

Add a layer of filling

After you line the bottom of all your glasses with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, pipe dollops of the mascarpone filling evenly over the cookies in each glass. You can also use a spoon for this step. 

Finish assembling the tiramisu cups

Now, repeat the process and add two more layers of espresso-dipped ladyfingers and dollops of tiramisu filling until you have a total of three layers of each. The fully assembled mini tiramisu cups should all have a layer of mascarpone cream on top.

Dust with cocoa powder and chill

To complete the dessert, dust the top of each tiramisu cup with cocoa powder, using a fine-mesh sieve. Then pop all the tiramisu cups in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours before serving. The tiramisu needs this time to allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set.