Pretty to look at and offering luscious flavor in every bite, these Tiramisu Cups will be the hit of any dinner party.
While there’s nothing wrong with a big pan of tiramisu brought out for dessert after a hearty Italian meal, sometimes you just want a small taste of something sweet—and mini, single servings make for an adorable presentation! Whether it’s for a party where you have a dessert table or for an occasion where you want to serve something a little fancy, tiramisu cups are a lovely option. These pint-sized desserts pack a lot of flavor and texture into one glassful.
While classic tiramisu is not a centuries-old Italian recipe, it’s been a staple of Italian cuisine for several decades. Ever since the 1970s, when tiramisu first became popular in Northern Italy, it has provided a decadent yet refreshing finale to many a meal. A loose translation of the word tiramisu is “pick-me-up,” which stems from the inclusion of espresso in the dessert. In this version, the translation works both for the espresso and for the fact that you can pick it up, mingle, and eat all at the same time. Tiramisu cups are great for a refined, handheld sweet treat.
You will love tiramisu cups because you get to enjoy all of the wonderful creamy, pillowy texture of the classic dessert—in your own personal serving! Whether you serve them in large glasses, wine goblets, or narrow flutes is up to you. Tiramisu cups taste as good as they look. Bonus: This is a make-ahead recipe, which is ideal for entertaining.
What are ladyfingers?
Ladyfingers, or savoiardi in Italian, are sponge cookies shaped like oversized fingers (think giant fingers!). Ranging in texture from a little soft to crispy, these light and airy cookies soak up the espresso-Marsala wine mixture. They’re layered with the creamy mascarpone mixture and soften during the chill time until they’re wonderfully cake-like. You can either buy them in the cookie aisle of your supermarket or make your own Ladyfingers from scratch.
How do I store leftovers?
Tiramisu cups are a make-ahead dessert, with a minimum 2-hour chill time. They can chill overnight before serving. For leftovers, cover the cups tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 or 3 days. Freezing is not recommended.
Serving suggestions
Tiramisu cups make for an exquisite dessert after a traditional Italian meal. Think antipasto, Homemade Lasagna, and from-scratch Breadsticks. You can also include them on a dessert tray or table at a party where you need handhelds. For a creative presentation, make these treats in different sizes of glasses, and that way, people can take whatever size they want. Whether it’s the only dessert you serve, or it’s mixed in with other cookies and confections (Chocolate Covered Strawberries are a great option), tiramisu cups deliver big flavor in small packages!
Tiramisu Cups
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup brewed espresso coffee cooled
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sweet Marsala wine
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese at room temperature
- 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 8 ladyfinger cookies halved
- Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting
- Chocolate shavings for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, combine the cooled espresso coffee with the sweet Marsala wine.
- In a medium bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, salt, and instant espresso powder with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- In another bowl, stir the mascarpone cheese with vanilla extract until smooth. Then gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone until well blended. Be careful not to overmix.
- Quickly dip each halved ladyfinger into the coffee mixture (1-2 seconds) and place a layer (2 halves) at the bottom of each serving cup. Top with a spoonful of the mascarpone cream and repeat the layers until the cups are filled, using 4 ladyfinger halves per serving cup.
- Cover the cups with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Just before serving, dust the tops with unsweetened cocoa powder. Garnish with chocolate shavings if desired.
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