The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
If you’re a fan of tiramisu — that dreamy Italian dessert layered with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and velvety mascarpone cream — then get ready for your new favorite treat. These Chocolate Tiramisu Cupcakes take everything you love about classic tiramisu and pack it into a rich, moist cupcake topped with a creamy mascarpone frosting that melts in your mouth.
Think of them as elegant, café-style cupcakes that taste like a chocolate espresso cloud. They’re rich, indulgent, and surprisingly easy to make — perfect for holiday gatherings, birthdays, dinner parties, or cozy coffee dates at home.
The base is a moist chocolate cupcake infused with espresso. Inside, a hidden piece of ladyfinger soaked in coffee adds authentic tiramisu flavor. On top, a luscious mascarpone whipped frosting brings the whole dessert together. Finished with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings, these cupcakes truly deliver the timeless taste of tiramisu in an adorable handheld form.
Why These Cupcakes Are Amazing
☕ 1. Authentic Tiramisu Flavor
Espresso, mascarpone, and cocoa powder replicate the true Italian classic.
🍫 2. Rich Chocolate Cupcake Base
Chocolate enhances the deep coffee notes and adds luxurious flavor.
🎂 3. Soft & Moist Texture
Thanks to oil, espresso, and cocoa powder, these cupcakes stay soft for days.
🍥 4. Creamy Mascarpone Frosting
Light, silky, not overly sweet — just like tiramisu cream.
🎉 5. Perfect for Any Occasion
Fancy enough for entertaining, easy enough for weeknight baking.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cupcakes
- All-purpose flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Oil
- Brewed espresso or strong coffee
- Milk
- Vanilla
For the Tiramisu Filling
- Ladyfingers
- Brewed espresso
- Sugar (optional)
For the Mascarpone Frosting
- Mascarpone cheese
- Heavy cream
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
1. Make the Chocolate Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tray with liners.
- Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla, and milk.
- Add dry ingredients to wet, mixing gently.
- Stir in brewed espresso until smooth.
- Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake 16–18 minutes.
- Cool completely.
2. Add the Tiramisu Filling
- Cut small pieces of ladyfinger.
- Dip quickly into cooled espresso—don’t soak too long.
- Cut a small hole in the top of each cupcake.
- Insert the espresso-soaked ladyfinger piece.
- Replace the cupcake top.
3. Make the Mascarpone Frosting
- Beat cold mascarpone until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Slowly pour in cold heavy cream while beating until thick and pipeable.
- Avoid overwhipping — stop when firm peaks form.
4. Frost and Finish
- Pipe frosting onto each cupcake (classic swirl works beautifully).
- Dust with cocoa powder.
- Optional: add chocolate shavings or a single coffee bean.
Chocolate Tiramisu Cupcakes
Moist chocolate cupcakes filled with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and topped with creamy mascarpone frosting for a perfect tiramisu-inspired dessert.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tray.
- Whisk dry cupcake ingredients together.
- Mix eggs, sugar, oil, milk, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, then mix in espresso.
- Bake 16–18 minutes and cool completely.
- Dip ladyfinger pieces in espresso and insert into cupcakes.
- Beat mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
- Add heavy cream and whip to stiff peaks.
- Pipe frosting onto cupcakes and dust with cocoa powder.
Notes
Use cold mascarpone for best frosting texture.
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Tiramisu Cupcakes
✔ Use cold mascarpone
Warm mascarpone splits easily.
✔ Do not over-soak the ladyfingers
A quick dip is enough to keep the cupcakes from getting soggy.
✔ Use strong espresso
This brings the true tiramisu flavor.
✔ Don’t overwhip the cream
The frosting should stay light and silky.
✔ Dust cocoa right before serving
It stays prettiest when fresh.
Cupcake Variations
☕ Coffee Lover’s Tiramisu Cupcakes
Add espresso powder to the cupcake batter.
🍫 Triple Chocolate Version
Fill cupcakes with chocolate ganache.
🍓 Strawberry Tiramisu Cupcakes
Add strawberry slices on top of mascarpone frosting.
🍥 Classic Italian Style
Skip the chocolate cupcake and use vanilla instead.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator:
Store cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer:
Unfrosted cupcakes freeze well for up to 2 months.
Frosting:
Add frosting after thawing to keep mascarpone fresh and smooth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cupcakes with:
- Espresso or cappuccino
- Hot chocolate
- After-dinner wine
- A Christmas dessert board
- Holiday coffee bars
- Brunch dessert spreads
These cupcakes look elegant on tiered stands or rustic wooden boards.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
These cupcakes combine the best parts of tiramisu — rich espresso flavors, creamy mascarpone, and cocoa — with the comfort and charm of homemade chocolate cupcakes. The espresso-soaked ladyfinger inside makes them truly taste like authentic tiramisu in cupcake form.
The mousse-like mascarpone frosting brings silky lightness that balances the chocolate base. The result is a dessert that is decadent yet surprisingly airy — a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
