Tiramisu Cupcakes

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
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Updated on 12/22/22
Tiramisu Cupcakes

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Cool: 60 mins
Total: 115 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Yield: 24 cupcakes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
330 Calories
20g Fat
35g Carbs
4g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 330
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 12g 59%
Cholesterol 76mg 25%
Sodium 217mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 35g 13%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 22g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 73mg 6%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 87mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

If you love the classic Italian tiramisu dessert with ladyfingers, velvety mascarpone cheese, and cocoa powder, you will swoon for these tiramisu cupcakes. Instead of the traditional ladyfingers dipped in coffee and liqueur, here the syrup is brushed on top of fluffy homemade vanilla cupcakes. The frosting is made from mascarpone, coffee liqueur, and whipped cream. For a traditional presentation, we dust each cupcake with cocoa powder and then top it with a chocolate-covered espresso bean.

You can use either strongly brewed coffee or espresso in this recipe. The recipe calls for coffee liqueur, but if you prefer a non-alcoholic version, simply swap the coffee liqueur for additional coffee or espresso.

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

  • 1 3/4 cups sugar

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 3 large eggs

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup milk

For the Coffee Syrup:

  • 1/2 cup strong, hot coffee or espresso

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • 3 tablespoons coffee liqueur, optional

For the Mascarpone Frosting:

  • 1 cup mascarpone cheese

  • 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar

  • 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur, optional

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

For Garnish:

  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

  • 24 chocolate-covered espresso beans

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Prepare muffin tins by lining with paper liners.

    Tiramisu Cupcakes ingredients

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. To make the cake, beat together the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

    Butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.

    Eggs added to butter and sugar mixture in a bowl

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. In another large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.

    Dry ingredients for tiramisu cupcakes in a bowl

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  5. Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Scrape down the sides and mix well after each addition.

    Dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  6. Spoon the cupcake batter into the prepared muffin tins. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the cupcakes comes out clean.

    Tiramisu Cupcakes ready to be baked

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  7. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool completely before proceeding with the coffee syrup and the frosting.

    Tiramisu Cupcakes cooking on a rack

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  8. To make the coffee soaking syrup, in a medium bowl combine the hot coffee or espresso with the sugar and coffee liqueur, if using, and mix until the sugar dissolves.

    Coffee syrup in a bowl with a spoon

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  9. Using a fork or skewer, poke the tops of each cupcake several times. Brush or spoon the coffee syrup over each cupcake, allowing it to soak in to the holes.

    Cupcakes poked with a fork and coffee syrup spooned over

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  10. For the frosting, combine the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and coffee liqueur, if using, until smooth.

    Frosting ingredients in a mixing bowl

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  11. In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Fold into the mascarpone mixture.

    Whipped cream added to frosting ingredients in a bowl

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  12. Spread the mascarpone frosting over the cupcakes.

    Frosted tiramisu cupcakes on a cooling rack

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  13. Dust with cocoa powder and garnish each with a chocolate-covered espresso bean.

    Decorated tiramisu cupcakes with cocoa and chocolate coffee beans

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  14. Chill until ready to serve. Enjoy!

How to Store

Tiramisu cupcakes should be kept chilled in the fridge right up until serving time. Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

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