If there’s one Italian dessert that never fails to impress, it’s tiramisu. However, making the traditional version can be quite a time-consuming task. That’s where these Tiramisu Cupcakes come in to save the day. They offer all the delicious flavors of classic tiramisu without the hassle.
Created with a twist by the Hummingbird Bakery, these cupcakes replace the usual ladyfingers with a moist vanilla cupcake base soaked in coffee syrup and topped with creamy mascarpone frosting. The balance of sweetness and coffee flavor in these cupcakes is just perfect, making them a delightful treat for any occasion.
I vividly recall the first time I tasted an authentic tiramisu made by my Italian classmate’s mom. It was a revelation in flavor and texture, and these Tiramisu Cupcakes bring back those fond memories with every bite.
Ingredients
Creating Tiramisu Cupcakes requires a delightful combination of key ingredients to bring out the classic tiramisu flavors in cupcake form. Let’s explore the elements for the Cupcake Base, Tiramisu Filling, Mascarpone Frosting, and the finishing touch with the Garnish.
Cupcake Base
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups cake flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- ½ cup whole milk at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 oz brewed espresso or coffee
Tiramisu Filling
- 2 egg yolks
- 6 tbsp sugar
- 12 cup mascarpone cheese
- 12 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 ½ tbsp warm water
- 1 tbsp instant espresso coffee granules
Mascarpone Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 ½ tbsp Kahlua or espresso
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ teaspoons espresso liqueur
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
Required Tools and Equipment
To make these delightful Tiramisu Cupcakes, you will need a few essential tools and equipment to ensure a smooth baking process. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need:
Tools:
- Mixer: A stand mixer with a paddle attachment is ideal for preparing the cupcake batter and frosting efficiently.
- Muffin Pan: Make sure to have a muffin pan handy with cupcake liners for baking the cupcake base.
- Sifter: A sifter will come in handy for sifting ingredients like flour, baking powder, and sugar to ensure a smooth texture.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for baking, so have a set of measuring cups and spoons ready.
- Pastry Brush: You’ll need a pastry brush for brushing the coffee syrup onto the cupcakes.
- Saucepan: A small saucepan will be used to prepare the coffee syrup.
- Piping Bag: For piping the mascarpone frosting onto the cupcakes, a piping bag with a round tip is recommended.
- Cocoa Powder Sifter: Lastly, a small sifter or sieve for dusting cocoa powder on top of the cupcakes for the finishing touch.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to bake the cupcakes.
- Moka Pot or Instant Espresso Powder: For making the strong espresso-like coffee needed for the recipe, you can use a Moka pot or instant espresso powder.
- Handheld Whisk or Fork: You’ll need a whisk or fork to mix the coffee syrup ingredients efficiently.
- Mixing Bowls: Have a few mixing bowls on hand for preparing the cupcake batter, coffee syrup, and mascarpone frosting.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula: A wooden spoon or spatula will be useful for folding in the dry ingredients and mixing the batter.
- Cooling Rack: After baking, transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack to cool before frosting.
- Sharp Knife or Cupcake Corer: If you prefer to core the cupcakes to fill with additional tiramisu filling, a sharp knife or cupcake corer will be needed.
- Refrigerator: Since the cupcakes have a mascarpone frosting, you’ll need a fridge to chill them before serving.
Directions
Prepare the Cupcake Base
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in sour cream and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Sift together all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners.
- Bake for about 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Create the Tiramisu Filling
- In a small bowl, combine coffee liqueur, espresso powder, sugar, and hot coffee for the soaking liquid.
- In a separate bowl, beat heavy whipping cream with cornstarch and confectioners sugar until stiff peaks form.
- In another bowl, whisk together mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract, warm water with espresso granules, and Kahlua.
- Fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until well combined.
- Using a cupcake corer or a sharp knife, create a well in the center of each cupcake for filling.
- Fill the holes with the prepared tiramisu cream, allowing it to slightly overflow.
Whip Up the Mascarpone Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, beat unsalted butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, continuing to beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Mix in Kahlua or espresso, mascarpone cheese, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Transfer the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a decorative tip for frosting the cupcakes.
- Once the cupcakes have cooled, drizzle the tops with the coffee soaking syrup.
- Pipe the mascarpone frosting on top of each cupcake.
- Dust with cocoa powder for the finishing touch.
- Refrigerate the cupcakes for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Enjoy these delightful Tiramisu Cupcakes!
Baking Tips
When baking Tiramisu Cupcakes, there are a few key tips that can help you achieve the perfect outcome:
- Properly Measure Ingredients: Accurate measurements are crucial in baking, so make sure to measure your ingredients properly using measuring cups and spoons for the best results.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: To ensure a smooth batter and even baking, allow ingredients like eggs, butter, and milk to come to room temperature before using them. This helps everything mix together seamlessly.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can result in dense and tough cupcakes. Mix the batter until just combined to avoid this issue.
- Preheat Your Oven: Always preheat your oven before baking the cupcakes. This ensures that the cupcakes bake evenly and rise properly.
- Fill Cupcake Liners Correctly: Fill the cupcake liners about halfway full to allow room for the cupcakes to rise without overflowing.
- Cool Cupcakes Completely: Make sure to let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting them. This ensures that the frosting sets properly and doesn’t melt.
- Brush with Coffee Soak: For an extra burst of flavor and moisture, brush the cooled cupcakes with the espresso and Kahlua mixture before frosting.
Make Ahead Instructions
If you want to prepare these delightful tiramisu cupcakes ahead of time, here’s how you can do it:
- Bake the Cupcakes: Start by baking the tiramisu cupcakes according to the recipe instructions. Ensure they are completely cooled before proceeding to the next steps.
- Prepare the Tiramisu Filling: Once the cupcakes have cooled, proceed to prepare the tiramisu filling. This delectable mixture of mascarpone cream, whipped cream, and espresso flavoring will take your cupcakes to the next level.
- Frost the Cupcakes: After filling the cupcakes with the luscious tiramisu filling, it’s time to frost them with the creamy mascarpone frosting. Make sure the frosting is smooth and evenly spread on top of each cupcake.
- Drizzle with Coffee Syrup: To enhance the coffee flavor, drizzle the cupcakes with a coffee soaking syrup. This step adds moisture and an extra kick of coffee flavor to the cupcakes.
- Dust with Cocoa Powder: Before refrigerating the cupcakes, dust the tops with cocoa powder. This not only adds a touch of elegance but also complements the tiramisu flavors perfectly.
- Refrigerate: Once the cupcakes are assembled, cover them and place them in the refrigerator. Chilling the cupcakes allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a truly indulgent dessert.
By following these make-ahead instructions, you can prepare these heavenly tiramisu cupcakes in advance, saving you time and ensuring a delightful treat whenever you’re ready to enjoy them.
Conclusion
I hope this article has inspired you to try making these delicious tiramisu cupcakes at home. With their perfect blend of flavors and luxurious textures, they are sure to impress your friends and family. Remember to follow the step-by-step instructions and baking tips provided to achieve the best results. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these tiramisu cupcakes are a great way to showcase your skills and treat yourself to a delectable dessert. So, gather your ingredients, get baking, and enjoy the sweet rewards of your efforts. Happy baking!