Decadent Tiramisu Cupcakes Recipe

Sweet Tiramisu Cupcakes Recipe with Coffee Cream

Decadent chocolate cupcakes meet classic tiramisu in this irresistible fusion dessert that blends Italian coffee-soaked magic with soft, creamy layers.

Rich espresso creates depth and complexity in these delightful treats.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of tender cake and smooth mascarpone cream.

The delicate coffee-infused sponge melts effortlessly on your tongue, promising pure indulgence.

Dusted with cocoa powder, these cupcakes elevate a traditional dessert into a modern, portable delight.

Prepare to impress with this elegant twist on two beloved classics that transforms an ordinary afternoon into a gourmet experience.

You won’t be able to resist these little bites of heaven.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 11

What You’ll Need For Tiramisu Cupcakes

For Cake Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for delicate cupcakes.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures light, airy texture with perfect rise and softness.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.
  • Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy foundation with smooth consistency.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create golden, soft texture.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to cupcake's luxurious moisture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic undertones and depth of flavor.
  • Milk: Creates smooth batter and adds tenderness to final texture.
For Coffee Soak:
  • Brewed Coffee: Infuses classic tiramisu flavor and moistens cupcake base.
  • Coffee Liqueur: Optional ingredient providing sophisticated, boozy essence.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens coffee mixture and balances intense coffee notes.
For Frosting:
  • Mascarpone Cheese: Delivers authentic Italian creamy, luxurious texture.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates light, billowy frosting with cloud-like consistency.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides silky smoothness and controlled sweetness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Complements mascarpone with subtle, elegant flavor.
For Garnish:
  • Cocoa Powder: Adds traditional tiramisu finishing touch with rich color.
  • Chocolate Shavings: Introduces elegant, decorative element with intense chocolate notes.
  • Coffee Beans: Optional garnish offering sophisticated visual and aromatic accent.

Baking Gear For Tiramisu Cupcakes That Works

  • Electric mixer: Essential for beating butter, sugar, eggs, and whipping cream to smooth, fluffy consistency.
  • Cupcake pan: Holds 12 cupcake liners for perfectly shaped, evenly baked cupcakes.
  • Cupcake liners: Prevents sticking and creates neat, uniform cupcakes.
  • Mixing bowls: One medium for dry ingredients, one large for wet ingredients, and one for whipping cream.
  • Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and ensuring no lumps.
  • Toothpick or skewer: Used to poke holes in cupcakes for coffee soak.
  • Piping bag or spatula: Helps spread mascarpone frosting evenly and beautifully.
  • Small spoon: For spooning coffee mixture over cupcakes.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Easy Instructions For Making Tiramisu Cupcakes

  • Coffee Infusion Cupcake Base

A delightful journey begins with crafting a tender, moist cupcake that will become the canvas for our classic Italian-inspired dessert. Warm ovens set the stage for baking magic, transforming simple ingredients into a delectable foundation.

  • Liquid Gold Soak

Transform ordinary cupcakes into an extraordinary experience by generously baptizing them with a rich, aromatic coffee essence. Each tiny puncture allows the liquid to penetrate deeply, creating layers of complex flavor that dance on the palate.

  • Creamy Mascarpone Cloud

Whip up a dreamy, silky frosting that promises to elevate these cupcakes from ordinary to extraordinary. The mascarpone brings a luxurious Italian touch, creating a velvety blanket of sweetness that melts effortlessly.

  • Artistic Finishing Touches

Crown your cupcakes with an elegant dusting of cocoa powder, creating a visual masterpiece that hints at the decadent flavors waiting to be discovered. A single chocolate bean perched on top adds a sophisticated whisper of elegance.

  • Serving and Storing

These cupcakes shine brightest when chilled, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify. Serve directly from the refrigerator for a cool, refreshing treat that captures the essence of a classic tiramisu in cupcake form.

Flavor Ideas To Elevate Tiramisu Cupcakes

  • Cupcake Perfection Tricks
  • Coffee Intensity Boost: Experiment with different coffee strengths or use espresso for a deeper, richer flavor profile that elevates the entire dessert experience.
  • Moisture Magic: Don't skip poking holes in cupcakes before soaking – this ensures maximum coffee absorption and creates incredibly tender, flavor-packed bites.
  • Frosting Technique: Chill mascarpone and heavy cream before whipping to achieve a more stable, luxurious frosting that holds its shape beautifully.
  • Dietary Flexibility: Swap regular flour with gluten-free alternatives for celiac-friendly cupcakes, and use dairy-free milk and mascarpone substitutes for lactose-intolerant guests.
  • Make-Ahead Convenience: These cupcakes actually taste better after sitting overnight in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and develop a more intense taste sensation.

Serving Tiramisu Cupcakes With Class

  • Elegant Dessert Plating: Arrange cupcakes on a sleek white porcelain plate with a light dusting of cocoa powder, creating an artistic presentation that highlights their delicate texture and rich coffee essence.
  • Coffee Companion Pairing: Serve alongside a small espresso or cappuccino to enhance the tiramisu flavor profile, allowing guests to enjoy a complementary drinking experience with their cupcake.
  • Celebration Centerpiece: Display cupcakes on a multi-tiered dessert stand during brunches, afternoon tea parties, or special gatherings, transforming them into a stunning focal point that invites conversation and culinary appreciation.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cupcakes a day in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, ensuring the flavors meld together and the mascarpone frosting remains perfectly chilled and creamy.

Tips To Store Tiramisu Cupcakes The Right Way

  • Cupcake Cooling Strategy: Allow cupcakes to reach room temperature completely before adding coffee soak to prevent soggy texture and maintain structural integrity.
  • Refrigeration Wisdom: Store tiramisu cupcakes in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping frosting fresh and preventing moisture loss.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cupcake bases and coffee soak one day in advance, storing separately to maintain optimal texture and flavor intensity.
  • Freezing Finesse: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and frost just before serving to ensure peak deliciousness.
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Decadent Tiramisu Cupcakes Recipe

Decadent Tiramisu Cupcakes Recipe


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4.7 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Silky tiramisu cupcakes blend classic Italian dessert flavors into adorable individual treats. Rich espresso-soaked sponge layers complemented by smooth mascarpone frosting create a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ tsps baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (120 ml) brewed coffee or espresso, cooled
  • 1 tbsp coffee liqueur (optional)
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 8 oz (225 g) mascarpone cheese, chilled
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, cold
  • ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Cocoa powder (for dusting)
  • Chocolate shavings or coffee beans (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cupcake Base Preparation: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add eggs one at a time, blending in vanilla extract.
  2. Batter Assembly: Gradually mix dry ingredients and milk into the butter mixture, ensuring a smooth consistency. Carefully divide batter among 12 cupcake liners in a prepared pan.
  3. Baking Process: Position pan in a preheated oven at 350F (175C), baking for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  4. Coffee Infusion: Craft a coffee syrup by dissolving sugar in brewed coffee and coffee liqueur. Pierce multiple holes across cupcake surfaces, then delicately saturate each cake with the aromatic liquid.
  5. Mascarpone Frosting Creation: Whip mascarpone until silky, simultaneously beating heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into mascarpone, creating a luxurious, airy frosting.
  6. Final Styling: Pipe or spread the creamy mascarpone mixture over coffee-soaked cupcakes. Dust cocoa powder elegantly across the surface, optionally garnishing with chocolate shavings or a single coffee bean for sophisticated presentation.
  7. Serving Recommendation: Enjoy immediately or chill briefly to enhance flavor melding, allowing the tiramisu-inspired cupcakes to reach peak deliciousness.

Notes

  • Master Coffee Absorption: Puncture cupcakes thoroughly with a toothpick to create multiple tiny channels, allowing coffee mixture to penetrate deeply without making the cake soggy.
  • Temperature Control for Frosting: Ensure mascarpone and heavy cream are chilled before whipping to achieve a stable, luxurious texture that holds its shape perfectly when piped.
  • Customize Coffee Intensity: Adjust coffee mixture strength by varying brew concentration or coffee liqueur amount to suit personal taste preferences without compromising cupcake structure.
  • Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare cupcakes a day in advance, storing unfrosted in an airtight container, and add mascarpone frosting and cocoa dusting just before serving to maintain optimal freshness and texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

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