If you’re a fan of tiramisu, then these tiramisu cupcakes will quickly become your new favorite dessert. Imagine the irresistible layers of mascarpone, espresso, and cocoa, but in a portable, bite-sized treat. These cupcakes take all the flavors of the classic Italian dessert and turn them into an easy-to-make, delightful cupcake form. Whether you’re serving them at a party, bringing them to a family gathering, or just treating yourself, these cupcakes are sure to impress everyone who takes a bite.

Tiramisu is one of those desserts that’s always been a hit in our house. The combination of coffee and mascarpone cream is just too good to resist, and when I decided to make them in cupcake form, I knew it would be a game-changer. The cupcakes are light, fluffy, and full of coffee flavor, and the mascarpone frosting on top is the perfect finishing touch. So, if you’re craving something sweet, coffee-flavored, and just a little indulgent, you’ve come to the right place!

In this first part of the recipe, we’ll walk through the initial steps of making these little cakes of coffee-flavored heaven. Trust me, this will be a fun and easy process—and you’ll be rewarded with the most delicious tiramisu cupcakes in the end!

Gathering the Ingredients

To get started, you’ll need to gather a few simple ingredients. Don’t worry if you’ve never baked tiramisu cupcakes before—the list is pretty straightforward. Here’s what you’ll need for the cupcakes themselves:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1/4 cup brewed coffee (cooled)

Step 1: Prepare the Cupcakes

The first thing you need to do is preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. You want to make sure the oven is fully preheated so your cupcakes bake evenly.

Next, in a medium-sized bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is simple, but it’s essential because it ensures that the dry ingredients are well-distributed. If you skip this, you might end up with clumps of flour or baking powder in the batter, which we definitely want to avoid!

Now, in a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until they become light and fluffy. This will usually take about 3–4 minutes using an electric mixer. The goal here is to incorporate air into the butter and sugar mixture so that your cupcakes are soft and airy.

Once your butter and sugar are fluffy, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps to ensure that each egg is fully incorporated into the batter. Then, stir in the vanilla extract—this will give your cupcakes that lovely, comforting flavor.

Step 2: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now it’s time to mix everything together. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients to make sure everything incorporates evenly. The mixture should be smooth and just combined—don’t overmix, or your cupcakes might turn out dense.

Here’s a fun little tip: when you add the coffee, do so gently. You don’t want to overwork the batter, so fold in the cooled coffee carefully. This will give your cupcakes that distinct, rich coffee flavor that makes them taste like tiramisu.

Step 3: Bake the Cupcakes

Once your batter is ready, it’s time to fill the cupcake liners. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 cupcake liners, making sure not to overfill them. I recommend filling them about 2/3 of the way up, as they will rise a bit during baking.

Bake the cupcakes in your preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. When the cupcakes are done, let them cool completely on a wire rack. Be patient—this is key to ensuring your cupcakes don’t collapse when you soak them with coffee!

The Importance of Cooling

I know the smell of freshly baked cupcakes is tempting, but don’t skip the cooling step! If you try to soak them while they’re still warm, the coffee will soak in too quickly, and your cupcakes won’t have the right texture. Let them cool completely before you move on to the next step.

Step 4: Make the Coffee Soak

The magic of tiramisu lies in its coffee-soaked layers, and we’re going to bring that flavor into these cupcakes. In a small bowl, whisk together the brewed espresso (or strong coffee), coffee liqueur (if you’re using it), and sugar. You’ll want to make sure the sugar dissolves completely into the liquid. The combination of the strong coffee and liqueur adds depth and warmth to the flavor, but if you prefer to keep it alcohol-free, you can skip the liqueur without sacrificing any of the coffee goodness.

Once your coffee soak is ready, it’s time to prepare the cupcakes. Take a skewer or toothpick and gently poke several holes into the top of each cooled cupcake. This allows the coffee soak to penetrate the cupcake and infuse it with that iconic tiramisu taste.

Then, using a spoon or small measuring cup, drizzle 1–2 teaspoons of the coffee mixture over each cupcake, allowing it to soak in. Don’t rush this step—let the coffee seep in slowly to ensure the cupcakes are evenly moistened. The goal is to add just enough liquid so that each bite has that perfect coffee punch, but you don’t want the cupcakes to become soggy.

Step 5: Prepare the Mascarpone Frosting

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show—the mascarpone frosting. This is the part that will take these cupcakes to the next level, adding a rich, creamy sweetness that balances out the coffee soak perfectly.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. It’s important to use chilled mascarpone and heavy cream to achieve that light and fluffy texture. Using an electric mixer, beat everything together until stiff peaks form. You’ll know it’s ready when the frosting holds its shape and doesn’t fall off the whisk.

A little tip here: Be careful not to overbeat the frosting. While you want it to be thick and creamy, overmixing can cause it to become too stiff, which might make it difficult to spread or pipe onto your cupcakes. So, stop mixing once you get those stiff peaks—this will give you a smooth, velvety texture that’s just perfect for frosting.

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

At this point, your cupcakes are ready for their final touch. Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip (or just a simple spatula if you prefer), generously pipe or spread the mascarpone frosting onto each cupcake. This frosting is thick and creamy, so don’t be shy with it! A nice swirl on top of each cupcake gives it that professional, bakery-style look, but feel free to go wild and get creative with your frosting technique.

Once the frosting is on, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Lightly dust each cupcake with cocoa powder using a fine mesh sieve. This will give them that classic tiramisu appearance and add just the right amount of chocolatey bitterness to balance the sweetness of the frosting. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can top them with chocolate shavings for a more elegant look.

Step 7: Chill and Serve

Although these cupcakes are already looking delicious, they’re even better after a little time in the fridge. Let them chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. The cooling time also helps the frosting firm up slightly, making them even more enjoyable to eat.

I highly recommend pairing these cupcakes with a cup of coffee or espresso for the ultimate tiramisu experience. The coffee and chocolate flavors come together in a way that will make every bite feel like a moment of indulgence.

TIRAMISU CUPCAKES

---

• Author: Mark's Recipe
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

These Tiramisu Cupcakes are a delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert, transforming the rich and creamy flavors of tiramisu into individual, moist cupcakes. Soft, coffee–infused vanilla cupcakes are soaked in a sweet coffee syrup, which brings out the bold espresso flavor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup brewed coffee, cooled

For the Coffee Soak:

• 1/3 cup brewed espresso or strong coffee
• 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur (optional)
• 1 tablespoon sugar

For the Mascarpone Frosting:

• 1 cup mascarpone cheese, chilled
• 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Topping:

• Cocoa powder, for dusting
• Chocolate shavings (optional)

---

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Cupcakes:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in the cooled coffee gently.

2️⃣ Bake the Cupcakes:
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.

3️⃣ Make the Coffee Soak:
In a small bowl, whisk together the espresso, coffee liqueur (if using), and sugar until dissolved. Using a skewer or toothpick, poke several holes into the top of each cooled cupcake. Spoon about 1–2 teaspoons of the coffee soak over each cupcake, allowing it to seep in.

4️⃣ Prepare the Mascarpone Frosting:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat, as it may cause the frosting to become too thick.

5️⃣ Frost and Decorate:
Pipe or spread the mascarpone frosting generously onto each cupcake. Dust with cocoa powder and top with chocolate shavings, if desired, to add a finishing touch.

6️⃣ Chill and Serve:
Chill the cupcakes in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve with coffee or espresso for the perfect pairing!

Notes

• For a stronger coffee flavor, increase the amount of brewed espresso in the coffee soak.
• If you don’t have coffee liqueur, you can skip it or substitute with an additional tablespoon of brewed coffee.
• These cupcakes are best served chilled as the flavors develop more with time.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes