Elegant Tiramisu Cupcakes Recipe

Dreamy Elegant Tiramisu Cupcakes Recipe for Coffee Lovers

Decadent chocolate cupcakes infused with robust espresso tiramisu create a dessert that whispers pure Italian indulgence.

These delicate treats combine rich mascarpone cream with delicate cake layers.

Each bite promises a luxurious dance of coffee and sweet richness.

The recipe balances traditional Italian flavors with modern pastry techniques.

Creamy mascarpone softens the intense espresso notes, creating a harmonious dessert experience.

Light, airy, and utterly irresistible, these cupcakes offer a sophisticated twist on classic tiramisu.

You’ll want to savor every delectable moment of this culinary masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 12

All You Need for Tiramisu Cupcakes

For Cupcake Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for the delicate cupcake foundation.
  • Baking Powder: Creates light, airy texture and helps cupcakes rise beautifully.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
  • Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and ensures smooth cake texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender crumb.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide moisture and richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, deep flavor complexity.
  • Milk: Ensures moist, soft cupcake consistency.
For Coffee Soak:
  • Brewed Coffee: Infuses classic tiramisu flavor and moisture into cupcakes.
  • Coffee Liqueur: Optional ingredient that intensifies coffee essence.
  • Granulated Sugar: Balances coffee's bitterness and adds subtle sweetness.
For Mascarpone Frosting:
  • Mascarpone Cheese: Creates luxurious, silky smooth frosting with authentic Italian character.
  • Heavy Cream: Provides light, airy texture and richness.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream.
  • Vanilla Extract: Complements mascarpone with warm undertones.
For Garnish:
  • Cocoa Powder: Traditional tiramisu topping with deep, rich flavor.
  • Chocolate Shavings: Adds elegant, decorative touch.
  • Coffee Beans: Provides sophisticated visual and aromatic accent.

Kitchen Gear That Makes Tiramisu Cupcakes

  • Electric mixer: Essential for beating butter, creaming sugar, and whipping cream smoothly.
  • Cupcake pan: 12-cup pan for baking perfect cupcake portions.
  • Cupcake liners: Prevents sticking and makes removal easy.
  • Whisk: For combining dry ingredients and creating smooth mixtures.
  • Large mixing bowls: Needed for combining cake batter and frosting ingredients.
  • Small bowl: For preparing coffee soak mixture.
  • Toothpick or skewer: To poke holes in cupcakes for coffee soaking.
  • Piping bag (optional): For decorative frosting application.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Cooling rack: Helps cupcakes cool evenly after baking.

Bake Tiramisu Cupcakes with a Twist

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F and grab a cupcake pan. Slip in some cute paper liners to get ready for deliciousness.

  • Create Cupcake Magic

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in one bowl. In another, cream butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Drop in eggs and vanilla, mixing until everything looks smooth and dreamy.

  • Blend and Bake

Gently combine dry ingredients and milk into your butter mixture. Pour batter into cupcake liners and slide into the oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cupcakes chill completely.

  • Coffee Bath Time

Mix brewed coffee, coffee liqueur, and sugar in a small bowl. Poke tiny holes in cooled cupcakes and drench them with the coffee mixture.

  • Whip Up Creamy Frosting

Beat mascarpone until silky. In another bowl, whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until peaks stand tall. Fold whipped cream into mascarpone until perfectly blended.

  • Decorate and Delight

Pipe or spread frosting on coffee-soaked cupcakes. Dust with cocoa powder and sprinkle chocolate shavings or drop a coffee bean on top. Serve chilled and enjoy your Italian-inspired treat!

Tweaks That Take Tiramisu Cupcakes Up a Notch

  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cupcakes and coffee soak a day in advance to enhance flavor absorption and reduce day-of stress.
  • Dairy-Free Twist: Swap mascarpone with coconut cream and use plant-based butter for a vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, creamy texture.
  • Coffee Intensity Hack: Experiment with different coffee strengths or replace liqueur with espresso for a more robust or milder coffee profile.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour blend and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
  • Storage Savvy: These cupcakes stay fresh refrigerated for 3-4 days; keep them covered to prevent drying and maintain optimal moisture and texture.

Serve Tiramisu Cupcakes for Dessert Parties

  • Flavor Fusion Party: Serve these tiramisu cupcakes alongside a steaming cappuccino or espresso to enhance the coffee-rich experience and complement the dessert's deep Italian flavors.
  • Elegant Dessert Platter: Create a stunning presentation by arranging cupcakes on a decorative cake stand, alternating with fresh berries and mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness.
  • After-Dinner Delight: Pair these cupcakes with a small glass of amaretto or marsala wine to elevate the dessert course and provide a sophisticated touch to your gathering.
  • Brunch Showstopper: Include these cupcakes as a centerpiece dessert for weekend brunches, offering guests a decadent sweet treat that bridges breakfast and dessert in one delightful bite.

Keeping Tiramisu Cupcakes Soft and Flavorful

  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep them covered to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cupcakes and coffee soak a day before serving. Assemble just before presentation to maintain optimal texture and flavor intensity.
  • Freezing Tips: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and add frosting before serving.
  • Temperature Wisdom: Always serve tiramisu cupcakes chilled for best taste experience. Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving to slightly soften frosting and enhance flavor profile.
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Elegant Tiramisu Cupcakes Recipe

Elegant Tiramisu Cupcakes Recipe


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4.7 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Classic Italian Tiramisu Cupcakes deliver a delightful espresso-soaked dessert with mascarpone cream. Coffee-infused cake layers topped with silky frosting create an irresistible sweet experience for dessert enthusiasts.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1.5 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • 8 oz (225 g) mascarpone cheese, chilled
  • 1 cup (240 mL) heavy cream, cold
  • 0.75 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup (120 mL) whole milk
  • 0.5 cup (120 mL) brewed coffee or espresso, cooled
  • 0.5 cup (60 g) powdered sugar
  • 1.5 tsps baking powder
  • 1 tbsp coffee liqueur (optional)
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • Cocoa powder (for dusting)
  • Chocolate shavings or coffee beans (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and line a cupcake pan with decorative liners.
  2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Thoroughly combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
  3. Butter Transformation: Whip butter and sugar until the mixture achieves a cloud-like consistency and pale hue.
  4. Liquid Integration: Blend eggs one at a time, introducing vanilla extract to create a smooth, cohesive batter.
  5. Batter Harmonization: Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, gently folding to maintain the batter’s delicate texture.
  6. Baking Ritual: Fill cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes, verifying doneness with a clean toothpick test.
  7. Coffee Infusion: Merge brewed coffee and coffee liqueur, creating a rich soaking liquid for the cooled cupcakes.
  8. Moisture Injection: Puncture cupcake surfaces and generously saturate with the coffee mixture, allowing complete absorption.
  9. Mascarpone Magic: Whip mascarpone to silky smoothness, then gently fold in whipped cream sweetened with powdered sugar and vanilla.
  10. Finishing Flourish: Pipe or spread the creamy mascarpone frosting, then dust with cocoa powder and garnish with chocolate shavings or a coffee bean.

Notes

  • Perfect Coffee Soak: Use room temperature coffee to prevent cooling the cupcakes and ensure even absorption; brush gently to distribute liquid evenly without making cupcakes soggy.
  • Master Mascarpone Frosting: Ensure mascarpone is at room temperature to prevent lumps; fold cream slowly and gently to maintain light, airy texture without deflating the mixture.
  • Temperature Control: Allow cupcakes to cool completely before soaking and frosting to prevent structural breakdown and maintain optimal texture and moisture.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, adding xanthan gum for better structure and preventing crumbly texture in the cupcakes.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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