Tiramisu Cups Recipe
Tiramisu Cups are a delightful and elegant no-bake dessert featuring layers of creamy mascarpone, whipped cream, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of rich cocoa powder. This recipe delivers the classic flavors of traditional tiramisu in convenient individual servings, perfect for parties or a decadent treat at home.
- Author: Mila
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 4 to 6 individual cups 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup Mascarpone cheese – A creamy base that gives tiramisu its rich texture.
- 1 cup Heavy cream – Adds lightness and volume to the dessert.
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar – Sweetens the mixture to balance the flavors.
Coffee Ingredients
- 1 cup Espresso or strong coffee – Provides the classic coffee flavor; use decaf if preferred.
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor profile with warmth.
Layering Ingredients
- 24 pieces Ladyfinger cookies – The essential component for layering; choose crisp ones for best results.
- 2 tablespoons Cocoa powder – For dusting on top; use unsweetened for a rich finish.
- 1/4 cup Milk – Can be used to soak the ladyfingers for added moisture.
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all your ingredients including mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, sugar, coffee, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and ladyfinger cookies to ensure a smooth preparation process.
- Brew Coffee: Brew a strong cup of espresso or coffee and allow it to cool completely. Decaffeinated coffee can be used as an alternative if preferred.
- Whip Cream: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form, creating a light and airy texture essential for the tiramisu layers.
- Mix Mascarpone and Sugar: In a separate bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Fold Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream, to maintain the desired light texture.
- Dip Ladyfingers: Quickly dip each ladyfinger into the cooled coffee mixture (optionally mixed with milk for added moisture), ensuring they are soaked lightly but not soggy.
- Layer Cups: Begin assembling the tiramisu cups by placing a layer of coffee-dipped ladyfingers at the bottom, then add a layer of the mascarpone-cream mixture. Repeat the layering until the cups are filled to the desired amount.
- Refrigerate: Cover the cups with plastic wrap or lids and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set.
- Dust with Cocoa: Just before serving, dust the tops of the tiramisu cups generously with unsweetened cocoa powder for a classic and elegant finish.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve chilled with a spoon and enjoy this rich and creamy dessert either individually or shared with friends and family.
Notes
- Do not soak the ladyfingers for too long, as they will become soggy and lose their texture.
- For a stronger coffee flavor, you can brush the ladyfingers with coffee instead of dipping.
- Use fresh mascarpone cheese for the best creaminess and flavor.
- To make the dessert ahead, prepare the tiramisu cups the day before to enhance the flavors.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free variation, although this will change the flavor slightly.
- For an adult version, consider adding a splash of coffee liqueur or Marsala wine to the coffee mixture.
Keywords: tiramisu cups, easy tiramisu recipe, no-bake tiramisu, coffee dessert, mascarpone dessert, layered dessert