This Tiramisu Cupcakes Recipe brings all the flavors of espresso-soaked cake, mascarpone cream, and cocoa—just in a handheld format.
Cupcakes will always have a special place in my heart—and in my kitchen. I’ve shared plenty of recipes over the years, from colorful rainbow cupcakes to dreamy Biscoff creations with buttercream. But tiramisu has always been my true dessert weakness. I used to flip to the back of every Italian restaurant menu just to check if it was there—sometimes before I even picked my main course. So, it’s a fitting decision to turn that rich, layered dessert into fun cupcake form.
These tiramisu cupcakes take everything you love about the traditional Italian dessert and give it a lighter, more playful twist. You’ll start by making soft vanilla cupcakes, which get doused in espresso and coffee liqueur, then topped with a smooth mascarpone frosting and a dusting of cocoa powder. The flavor is a perfect mix of bitter coffee, creamy sweetness, and delicate cake, leaving you with a dessert that tastes like it came straight from a quaint café.
All about balance
Tiramisu is all about balance. You need the right ratio of sweetness, bitterness, and creaminess to get one cohesive dessert. If you add too much coffee, it will be overpowering. Too much sugar will turn it into a sugar bomb. The key is restraint.
In these cupcakes, the espresso soak adds just enough depth without making the cakes soggy. The mascarpone frosting adds a nice, velvety texture and mild tang that balances both the earthy and sweet notes in the other ingredients. A final dusting of cocoa ties it all together with a slightly bitter finish, complementing the coffee. It’s that harmony of flavors that makes tiramisu so addictive.
How do I store leftovers?
These tiramisu cupcakes are best enjoyed relatively fresh, especially to get the best texture out of the mascarpone frosting. If you need to store them, keep them covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving so the frosting softens slightly. You can also freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to 1 month; just thaw them completely before adding frosting.
Serving suggestions
These cupcakes are the perfect way to finish an Italian-inspired dinner. Start out with these fun Antipasto Skewers before moving on to this elegant Pasta Alla Gricia or Bucatini All’Amatriciana for your main course. When you’re ready for dessert, brew up some espresso or a cappuccino to enjoy with your tiramisu cupcakes.
Tiramisu Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
For The Cupcakes:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup milk
For The Coffee Soak:
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon Amaretto liqueur
- 5 tablespoons hot water
For The Frosting:
- 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar plus more, if needed
- 2 tablespoons instant ClearJel stabilizer
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
- 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
For The Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper liners.
- Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla.
- Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until just combined.
- Add the milk and whisk until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly between muffin tin cups and bake for 17-22 minutes. The tops should be firm and the insides soft.
- Transfer the muffins to a rack to cool for 1 hour.
For The Coffee Soak:
- Mix the sugar, espresso powder, and Amaretto liqueur with the hot water until dissolved.
- Poke the tops of each cupcake with a fork and brush over the soak to allow it to permeate.
For The Frosting:
- Mix the confectioners' sugar and instant ClearJel.
- Beat the heavy cream, mascarpone, and coffee liqueur with the icing sugar and instant ClearJel mixture until light and fluffy.
- Pipe the frosting onto cupcakes. Sprinkle cocoa powder over the tops as decoration and serve.
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