Tiramisu Cups You’ll Absolutely Love

Let’s be honest—sometimes you just want a dessert that looks impressive but doesn’t make a mess or take hours to put together. That’s exactly why tiramisu cups are one of my favorite go-to treats. They have all the creamy, coffee-flavored charm of the classic dessert, but in cute little portions that are easy to serve and even easier to enjoy.

These are the kind of treats you can make ahead of time, tuck into the fridge, and pull out when you need something special—whether it’s a family dinner, a little get-together, or just a cozy moment on your own. No stress, no fuss—just a fun layering process that’s as satisfying to build as it is to eat.

In this post, I’ll walk you through every step: from choosing your ingredients to layering like a pro, plus helpful tips, serving ideas, and answers to the most common questions. Let’s make something you’ll be proud to serve (and sneak a spoonful of when no one’s looking).

Why You’ll Love Making Tiramisu Cups at Home

There’s something so comforting about desserts you can serve in their own little containers—less cleanup, no slicing, and everyone gets their fair share. These tiramisu cups are one of those recipes that just make sense for real-life gatherings, busy weeknights, or even quiet afternoons when you’re craving something homemade and sweet.

Here’s why you’ll keep coming back to this recipe—whether you’re hosting, gifting, or just treating yourself:

Perfectly portioned, no mess: Serving dessert is a breeze when it’s already divided into tidy cups. No scooping or slicing—just grab a spoon and dig in.

Quick and easy to make: You won’t need fancy tools or hours of prep. This recipe comes together in about 25 minutes, then chills while you handle everything else.

Great for any occasion: From birthdays to brunches, baby showers to date nights, these little cups look elegant but feel cozy. They’re just as welcome at a family potluck as they are on a holiday dessert table.

Make-ahead friendly: These tiramisu dessert cups actually get better as they rest. Build them the night before, and by serving time, the flavors will be beautifully balanced.

Customizable for your crowd: Whether you use mini mason jars, clear plastic cups, or fancy glassware, these can dress up or down. Want to try them with chocolate chips or a sprinkle of cinnamon? Go for it.

A familiar flavor with a fun twist: If you’ve ever tried the Costco tiramisu cups, you’ll love having a homemade version that’s just as creamy and rich, with your own personal spin.

When you spoon into that first creamy layer and hit the espresso-soaked cookie underneath, it’s like a little café experience right at home. These mini tiramisu cups aren’t just desserts—they’re a treat to make, to serve, and to savor.

Now that you’re excited, let’s get you set up with everything you need in the kitchen… starting with the ingredients.

Tiramisu Cups Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s get you prepped and ready to build these delightful little layers. The beauty of tiramisu cups is that the ingredients are simple, easy to find, and come together like a dream. Here’s exactly what you’ll need—and why each part matters.

Basic Ingredients

• Mascarpone cheese – 1 cup (8 oz): This soft, Italian cheese gives the filling its smooth, creamy texture and subtle tang.
• Egg yolks (pasteurized) – 3, room temperature: They help create a thick, rich custard base when gently cooked with sugar.
• Granulated sugar – ½ cup: Sweetens the cream and balances the espresso beautifully.
• Heavy cream – ¾ cup, cold: Whipped into soft peaks, it lightens the mascarpone filling without overpowering it.
• Pure vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon: Adds warm, mellow flavor that complements the coffee notes.
• Brewed espresso – 1 cup, cooled: Used to soak the ladyfingers for that classic tiramisu flavor. Decaf works great, too!
• Instant espresso powder – 1 teaspoon: Intensifies the coffee flavor without adding extra liquid.
• Ladyfingers (savoiardi) – about 18 to 20 cookies: These crisp sponge biscuits soften just enough after a quick coffee dip, turning cake-like in the cups.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – 2 tablespoons: A dusting on top gives that signature tiramisu finish.

Optional Add-Ins

• Chocolate shavings or curls: Sprinkle between layers or on top for extra richness.
• Cinnamon pinch: Mix with cocoa for a cozy, spiced twist.
• Mini chocolate chips: Fold into the cream for a touch of texture.

Pro Tip: Want to explore flavor variations? For a French-inspired twist, try soaking your ladyfingers in strong chicory coffee. Hosting a fall gathering? Add a tiny splash of maple extract to the cream for a cozy vibe.

Once your ingredients are gathered and ready to go, it’s time to bring them all together. Let’s head to the fun part—assembly!

How to Make Tiramisu Cups Step by Step

This is where the magic happens (the kitchen kind!). Making tiramisu cups is all about layering texture and flavor in the right order. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a dessert that looks fancy but feels wonderfully doable.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the yolk-sugar base.
In a heat-safe glass or metal bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until smooth and pale yellow. Place the bowl over a small pot of simmering water (making sure the bottom doesn’t touch the water) and whisk continuously for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens slightly. Take it off the heat and set it aside to cool for about 10 minutes.

2. Stir in the mascarpone.
After the egg mixture has cooled slightly, gently fold in the mascarpone until it blends into a smooth, lump-free cream with a rich, glossy texture.

3. Whip the cream.
In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream and vanilla extract using a hand mixer or stand mixer until soft peaks form, meaning the tips curl over gently when you lift the beaters.

4. Combine the two.
Take about one-third of the whipped cream and gently stir it into the mascarpone mixture to loosen it up. Then, carefully fold in the rest of the whipped cream using a spatula, being gentle to keep the mixture airy and fluffy.

5. Mix your espresso soak.
Stir the instant espresso powder into the brewed (and cooled) espresso until dissolved. Pour into a shallow bowl that’s wide enough to dip the ladyfingers.

6. Soak and layer.
Break each ladyfinger in half or thirds, depending on the size of your serving cups. Dip them quickly—no more than 1 second per side—into the espresso mixture. Start layering your cups with soaked ladyfingers, then spoon in a layer of mascarpone cream. Repeat the layers once more, ending with the cream on top.

7. Chill to set.
Cover each cup with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you can. The flavors deepen, and the texture becomes beautifully soft and balanced.

8. Finish with cocoa.
Right before serving, dust the tops with unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine-mesh sieve. If you’re feeling fancy, add some chocolate curls or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

That’s it! You’ve just made a batch of creamy, coffee-scented individual tiramisu cups that are every bit as delicious as they look.

Next up, let’s chat about some extra tips and flavor ideas in case you want to make these cups your own.

Tiramisu Cups Tips, Tricks, and Easy Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic method for tiramisu cups, there’s so much room to add your personal touch or tweak things for different moods and gatherings. Think of this section as your kitchen toolbox—extra tips and fun variations to keep things interesting and foolproof.

Helpful Tips to Get It Just Right

• Don’t over-soak the ladyfingers: A quick dunk (about 1 second per side) is all you need. Any longer, and they’ll fall apart and make the layers too soft.
• Cool the espresso before dipping: Hot coffee will break down the cookies fast and can affect the cream layers.
• Let the mascarpone soften slightly: It blends more easily at room temperature, but still needs to be cool to maintain that lovely thick texture.
• Use cold cream and chilled beaters: This helps it whip up faster and hold its structure better.
• Make it ahead—but not too far ahead: These tiramisu dessert cups are best within 24–48 hours. After that, the texture may start to break down.

Creative Variations You Can Try

• Chocolate twist: Add mini chocolate chips or a layer of chocolate ganache between cream layers for a dessert with depth.
• Citrus vibe: Fold in a bit of orange or lemon zest into the cream for a bright and fresh flavor.
• Berry burst: Add a layer of fresh raspberries or strawberries between the cookies and cream for a fruity variation.
• Kid-friendly cookies: Swap ladyfingers for vanilla sandwich cookies or plain pound cake cubes if that’s what you have on hand.
• Serving jar swap: Use mason jars or small tumblers instead of cups—especially great for gifts or travel.

Once you’ve played around with a variation or two, it’s easy to make this recipe your signature. Let’s look at how to serve them up in style!

Serving Tiramisu Dessert Cups for Any Occasion

One of the best things about tiramisu cups is how beautifully they fit into any moment. Whether you’re going big with a celebration or just want a treat after dinner, these little desserts can be dressed up or down with ease.

Delicious Ways to Serve and Present

• Holiday dessert table: Arrange the cups on a tray with a dusting of powdered sugar or edible glitter for a festive touch.
• Dinner party favorite: Serve in clear glasses with a long spoon and a sprig of mint or a chocolate curl on top for that extra charm.
• Backyard BBQ bonus: Chill them in small mason jars and tuck them into a cooler—they’ll stay fresh and travel well.
• Birthday treat alternative: Pop a candle in the center of each cup for a fun twist on traditional cake.
• Brunch sweet spot: Pair with fresh fruit and coffee as a cozy, mid-morning pick-me-up.

When you bring these out, you’ll see eyes light up—and spoons dive in fast. Now let’s make sure you can save any extras (if there are any!) and enjoy them later.

How to Store and Keep Tiramisu Cups Fresh

Let’s talk about keeping these individual tiramisu cups just as lovely the next day. The good news? They store like a dream and taste even better after a few hours of rest in the fridge.

How to Store Them

• In the fridge: Cover each cup tightly with plastic wrap or a fitted lid. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days. Any longer, and the cookies may become too soft.
• In the freezer: You can freeze them for up to 1 month, but the texture of the cream may change slightly. To serve, thaw in the fridge overnight and dust with fresh cocoa before eating.

Serving Leftovers

• No need to reheat: Since this is a no-bake dessert, all you need to do is uncover and enjoy.
• Refresh the top layer: If the cocoa topping has faded, simply sift on a new layer before serving to make it look freshly made.

There’s something special about knowing you’ve got a ready-to-go dessert waiting in the fridge.

More Tiramisu-Inspired Desserts to Try

If you enjoyed these tiramisu cups, here are a few more cozy, creative twists you might love exploring next:

• Pistachio Tiramisu – A rich and nutty variation with layers of pistachio flavor
• Tiramisu Brownies – Fudgy brownies with a creamy tiramisu swirl on top
• Limoncello Tiramisu – A bright and citrusy take on the classic favorite
• Tiramisu Latte – Inspired by the dessert, this cozy drink is a treat in a cup
• Matcha Tiramisu – Earthy green tea meets creamy layers in this unique twist

Tiramisu Cups You’ll Absolutely Love

Calista

These tiramisu cups are individually layered desserts with velvety mascarpone cream, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and a cocoa-dusted finish. Each cup delivers the classic flavor of Italian tiramisu in a convenient, no-mess format—perfect for parties, holidays, or a cozy night in.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Chill Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian-Inspired

Servings 8

Calories 345 kcal

Equipment

• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Heat-safe bowl
• Small saucepan (for double boiler setup)
• Mixing bowls
• Spatula
• Fine-mesh sieve
• 8 clear dessert cups or small jars (6 oz)

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup 8 oz mascarpone cheese
• 3 pasteurized egg yolks room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup cold heavy cream
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup strong brewed espresso cooled
• 1 tsp instant espresso powder
• 18 –20 ladyfinger cookies savoiardi
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Optional:

• Chocolate shavings or curls
• Pinch of cinnamon mix with cocoa
• Mini chocolate chips fold into cream

Instructions

 

• Whisk yolks and sugar in a bowl over simmering water until thickened; cool for 10 minutes.
• Stir mascarpone into the yolk mixture until smooth.
• In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream with vanilla to soft peaks.
• Fold whipped cream gently into mascarpone mixture until light and fluffy.
• Combine brewed espresso and espresso powder in a shallow bowl.
• Dip ladyfingers briefly (1 second per side) into espresso.
• Layer soaked ladyfingers and cream alternately in dessert cups.
• Chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Dust with cocoa powder before serving. Add optional toppings if desired.

Notes

Use pasteurized egg yolks for a safe, smooth custard base. Be sure to chill the cream before whipping for best results.

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Key Takeaways

• Tiramisu cups are easy to make and perfect for serving individually.
• You can prepare them ahead of time—great for planning events.
• Simple ingredients come together for a smooth, coffee-flavored dessert.
• They work well for holidays, potlucks, or cozy evenings at home.
• Customizable with add-ins like chocolate, berries, or flavored coffee.

Ready to make your own batch? Let’s finish with some common questions to help you feel even more confident.

Tiramisu Cups FAQ: Common Questions Answered

Still have questions? Feel free to tweak and test—this is the kind of dessert that welcomes a personal touch!

Conclusion

There’s just something special about a dessert that feels both comforting and a little fancy—tiramisu cups are exactly that. Whether you’re sharing them with friends, setting them out for a celebration, or enjoying one quietly after dinner, they bring a little joy in every spoonful.

If you give this recipe a try, I’d truly love to hear how it went for you. Did you add your own twist? Make them for a special moment? Leave a quick review and let me know—your feedback means so much and helps others in the kitchen too.