Mini Tiramisu Cups You Won’t Want to Share

Name: Mini Tiramisu Cups
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 oz mascarpone cheese; 1 heaping tablespoon sugar; ½ cup heavy whipping cream (cold); ¼ cup powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ⅜ cup hot water; 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder; 18 ladyfingers; 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

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Creamy and decadent, these mini tiramisu cups are a delightful treat. The rich and creamy texture of this classic dessert will melt in your mouth.

Two glass cups of layered tiramisu dessert with cocoa powder on top sit on a white cloth, accompanied by a metal spoon.

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Tiramisu is one of my all-time favorite desserts. It is so creamy, luscious, and rich in texture. I just love the hints of cocoa and espresso. The softened biscuit cookies add just the perfect little crunch to compliment the delicious, velvety cheesy cream mixture. It is such a wonderful treat when a sweet craving hits.

These mini tiramisu cups are made with just a few ingredients and are the perfect no bake dessert. They can be assembled in under 20 minutes making them a wonderful treat to enjoy anytime. Unlike a traditional recipe, this mini version is made eggless, so no need to be concerned about safety.

Just like these mini pavlova nests or this coconut panna cotta, these mini tiramisu cups can be prepared in advance for serving later in the day. This recipe can also be easily doubled or tripled if you have guests. It is a beloved dessert that can be perfectly portioned and enjoyed by everyone

Ingredients

Mascarpone cheese: This is an Italian style cream cheese that is very creamy. You can easily find it near the regular cream cheese at your local grocery store.
Sugar: Dissolves into the cheese to create a silky-smooth texture for the filling.
Heavy whipping cream: Use cold whipping cream for best results.
Powdered sugar: To be mixed with the cream to create the rich layers of the tiramisu.
Vanilla extract: Adds a splash of vanilla flavoring that pairs perfectly with the espresso and cocoa.
Hot water: Used with the instant espresso to dip the Ladyfinger cookies in.
Instant espresso powder: For convenience use instant espresso powder to give the tiramisu the bold coffee flavors. You can also use regular espresso coffee.
Ladyfingers: The cookies that will be used. They are like a dry biscuit and classically used in traditional tiramisu.
Cocoa powder: Just a dusting is needed to top the dessert.

Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.

Instructions

Let’s gather our ingredients to assemble this easy no bake dessert. It only takes a few minutes for them to come together to be enjoyed.

A glass bowl containing smooth, pale yellow buttercream frosting on a white cloth background.

Combine mascarpone cheese and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a bowl, mixing until just combined.

A glass bowl containing evenly mixed, creamy, pale yellow butter mixture placed on a white cloth napkin over a light wooden surface.

n a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

A bowl of whipped butter or cream sits on a white cloth-covered surface.

Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone cheese mixture with a rubber spatula. Set aside in the fridge.

A ladyfinger biscuit labeled "BOUDOIR" is partially submerged in a dark liquid, likely coffee or cocoa, in a speckled white bowl placed on a white textured cloth.

In another bowl, mix the hot water and espresso powder. Dip each ladyfinger into the espresso mixture one at a time .

A glass jar of crumbled Biscoff cookies placed on a white textured fabric.

Place 3 dipped ladyfingers at the bottom of each dessert cup, breaking them up as needed.

A glass bowl filled with swirled whipped cream is placed on a white textured cloth.

Pipe or spoon a layer of the mascarpone filling over the ladyfingers.

A small jar of light yellow cream is placed on a textured white cloth.

Repeat with another layer of dipped ladyfingers followed by another layer of mascarpone filling.

A glass cup filled with layered tiramisu sits on a white plate. Cocoa powder is being sprinkled on top.

Sprinkle cocoa powder on top of the Tiramisu cups and store in the fridge or serve immediately.

Hint: Chill the coffee-dipped ladyfingers for a few minutes before layering them with the mascarpone mixture. This helps prevent the cookies from becoming too soggy, ensuring the dessert holds its structure and has a nice balance of textures.

Variations

Here are a few variations you might want to try to customize this mini tiramisu.

Use chocolate. In place of cocoa powder, shave some chocolate from a chocolate bar.
Add a topping. Top with fresh fruit, mint leaves, or drizzle chocolate sauce over the dessert.
Add additional layers. You can add in a layer of chocolate ganache, Nutella or even berries to change up the flavor profile.
Use a different cookie. Instead of Ladyfingers, you can easily substitute with vanilla wafers, biscotti or even sponge cake. You can also use gluten-free ladyfingers.
Use fresh espresso. Fresh can be used in place of an instant packet for bolder flavors.

See this spicy version of this recipe on my website! (placeholder for in-content link)

Two glass jars filled with layered tiramisu topped with cocoa powder sit on a white cloth next to a silver spoon.

Tips

Top tip: It is ideal to use clear cups or glasses to prepare the mini tiramisu. This way you can see and spoon in the mascarpone filling over the Ladyfinger creating even layers.

Use cold heavy whipping cream. This will ensure that the mixture will be light and fluffy in texture.
Avoid overmixing the mascarpone and sugar. Mix until just combined to avoid the mixture thinning out.
Create even layers. This is important so that the dessert is uniform and the flavors blend well together.
Soak Ladyfingers lightly. You want to dip them quickly into the hot water/expresso to avoid them getting soggy. Do not submerge them into the mixture.
Serve chilled. This dessert is best served chilled to allow the flavors to blend nicely together.

A glass cup filled with layered tiramisu, topped with cocoa powder. A spoon with a portion of the dessert lies on a white plate beside it. Another glass of tiramisu is seen in the background.

Serving suggestions

This mini tiramisu recipe can be served with a side of berries. Berries taste wonderful with the cheese and cream mixture, along with really complimenting this dessert.

Mini tiramisu cups make a great dessert that can be enjoyed with an iced coffee or a cup of cold brew especially after lunch or in the afternoon. This treat can be a great little pick me up when a sweet tooth craving hits.

You might also enjoy it with a cocktail such as this espresso martini. Since the cookies in this dessert are dipped in instant expresso, it only adds to the rich flavors. If you are looking for a warmer drink, you might want to try one of these winter cocktails. They are sure to pair nicely with this decadent dessert.

FAQs

Can I substitute anything for the mascarpone cheese?

Mascarpone is known for being creamy and smooth however, you can use a whipped cream cheese or whipped ricotta cheese as an alternative. Just know it will change the texture of the tiramisu.

Can you make this mini tiramisu recipe in advance?

Yes! They can be made 1-2 days in advance. For best results, make up the filling and let set in the refrigerator. Then assemble the layers once you are ready to enjoy. This will help avoid the cookies from getting mushy.

How do I make sure the cookies don’t get soggy?

The key is to make sure you don’t dip the Ladyfingers too long into the expresso mixture. Just dip them enough to get wet. They will absorb the moisture quickly without getting soggy.

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