Tiramisu

Tiramisu is a beloved dessert, but the traditional preparation can be time-consuming and complex. These Tiramisu Cookie Cups simplify the process without sacrificing flavor. Each cookie cup is filled with a boozy mascarpone filling, making it a fun and easy way to enjoy tiramisu in a portable, shareable form. Perfect for gatherings, these cookie cups offer the same delightful coffee, chocolate, and cream flavors in a more convenient, individual-sized treat.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing

  • 1 cup (215 g) packed brown sugar

  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour

  • 2 tsp espresso powder

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1 tsp kosher salt

  • 1 cup (170 g) espresso chips (such as Nestlé)

  • 1/2 cup (85 g) semisweet chocolate chips

For the Mascarpone Filling & Assembly:

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

  • 1 (8-oz.) container mascarpone, room temperature

  • 1/4 cup coffee-flavored liqueur (such as Kahlúa)

  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • Pinch of kosher salt

  • Cocoa powder, for dusting

Directions

For the Cookies:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease 2 standard 12-cup muffin tins with butter.

  2. Cream the butter and sugars: In a stand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until smooth and slightly paler in color, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla, then beat for another 3 minutes until fluffy.

  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the butter mixture and beat until just combined. Fold in the espresso and chocolate chips.

  4. Form the cookies: Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough into each muffin cup. Use your finger to create a well in the center. Bake for 15 minutes, or until slightly browned. While still warm, use a greased shot glass or spice jar to deepen the well in the center of each cookie. Let the cookies cool for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Mascarpone Filling & Assembly:

  1. Prepare the filling: In a stand mixer, whisk together the heavy cream, mascarpone, coffee liqueur, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until soft peaks form, about 2-3 minutes.

  2. Assemble the cookie cups: Spoon the mascarpone filling into the well of each cooled cookie. Cover the tops with the remaining filling. Generously dust with cocoa powder.

Nutrients (approximate per cookie cup)

  • Calories: 250-300 kcal

  • Carbohydrates: 30g

  • Protein: 4g

  • Fat: 15g

  • Sodium: 180mg

  • Sugar: 20g

The Appeal of Tiramisu in a Cookie Cup

One of the most appealing aspects of Tiramisu Cookie Cups is the portable nature of the dessert. While traditional tiramisu is often served in a large dish and requires slicing, these cookie cups allow each guest to have their own individual serving. This makes them perfect for parties, gatherings, or any occasion where you want to serve a delicious treat without the mess of serving a traditional layered dessert.

Not only are these cookie cups easier to serve, but they also come with the added benefit of a perfectly balanced ratio of cookie to mascarpone filling. The soft, espresso-flavored cookie serves as the ideal base for the rich, creamy filling, and each bite contains just the right amount of sweetness, coffee flavor, and chocolate indulgence. This simple yet elegant presentation makes Tiramisu Cookie Cups a delightful alternative to the classic tiramisu that anyone can enjoy.

The Versatility of the Cookie Base

The cookie base in Tiramisu Cookie Cups is what sets them apart from traditional tiramisu. Instead of using ladyfingers, which can be a bit dry and require soaking in coffee or liqueur, these cookies provide a soft, chewy foundation with the perfect amount of sweetness. The addition of espresso powder in the dough gives the cookies a deep coffee flavor that echoes the essence of tiramisu, while the espresso chips and semisweet chocolate chips provide additional flavor and texture.

The cookie dough is easy to work with, and creating wells in the center of each cookie allows for the mascarpone filling to nestle inside. This method gives each cookie cup a sturdy structure that holds the filling perfectly without falling apart. The dough is also incredibly versatile—while espresso chips and semisweet chocolate chips are used here, you could easily swap them for other types of chips or even chopped chocolate for a different twist. This flexibility makes these cookie cups customizable to fit different tastes and preferences.

The Mascarpone Filling: Creamy and Boozy

The mascarpone filling is what gives Tiramisu Cookie Cups their signature flavor. Mascarpone is a soft Italian cheese that’s incredibly creamy and mild, making it the perfect base for a rich, decadent filling. The addition of heavy cream helps to lighten the filling, creating a smooth, fluffy texture that complements the dense cookie base.

To bring out the classic tiramisu flavor, coffee-flavored liqueur, such as Kahlúa, is added to the mascarpone mixture. This adds a boozy kick to the filling, enhancing the coffee flavor and making the filling taste even more luxurious. The powdered sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness, and a touch of vanilla extract rounds out the flavor, ensuring that the filling is both rich and well-balanced.

The result is a filling that’s not too heavy but rich enough to provide the indulgence that tiramisu lovers crave. It sits perfectly atop the cookie base, making each bite a satisfying combination of textures and flavors. The creamy filling and soft cookie are the perfect marriage of sweetness, richness, and a subtle coffee flavor that makes this dessert a crowd-pleaser.

Assembling the Cookie Cups: Easy and Impressive

Assembling these Tiramisu Cookie Cups is both simple and rewarding. Once the cookies are baked and cooled, the filling can be quickly prepared and spooned into the center of each cookie. The dough wells allow the filling to nestle inside, creating a beautiful contrast between the golden-brown cookie and the creamy filling.

After the filling is added, the tops of the cookie cups are generously dusted with cocoa powder. This not only adds to the visual appeal of the cookie cups but also enhances the flavor with a rich, slightly bitter cocoa finish that’s characteristic of traditional tiramisu. The cocoa powder dusting also helps to mimic the appearance of tiramisu’s iconic top layer, making these cookie cups instantly recognizable as a playful twist on the classic dessert.

Perfect for Sharing and Serving

Tiramisu Cookie Cups are a great choice for gatherings, whether they’re family get-togethers, holiday parties, or dinner parties with friends. Because they’re individually sized, they’re perfect for serving in larger quantities, allowing guests to try one (or more!) without needing to slice a whole dessert. This makes serving easy and convenient, especially when you need to serve a large group.

These cookie cups are also a great option for anyone who prefers a more controlled portion size or for those who want to customize their own dessert. The individual servings make them easier to handle, and because they’re smaller than traditional tiramisu, they can be enjoyed without feeling overwhelmed by the richness of the dessert.

The Fun Factor: A Playful Twist on Tiramisu

What makes Tiramisu Cookie Cups even more fun is the playful nature of turning a classic, elegant dessert into a cookie form. This fun transformation is sure to spark curiosity and excitement among guests, especially those who are familiar with the traditional tiramisu but have never seen it in such a creative form. The combination of cookie and cream brings a comforting, casual touch to a dessert that is typically reserved for more formal occasions.

Additionally, the use of chocolate chips and espresso powder in the cookie dough introduces a new element to the tiramisu flavor profile, making it more approachable for people who might not be fans of traditional tiramisu. The chocolate chips provide a slightly sweeter note, while the espresso flavor adds a rich, deep coffee taste that ties everything together.

Why Tiramisu Cookie Cups Are a Great Dessert

Tiramisu Cookie Cups offer several advantages over traditional tiramisu. First and foremost, they’re much easier to prepare. Instead of dealing with layers of soaked ladyfingers and complicated assembly, these cookie cups simplify the process while still delivering the rich, indulgent flavors that make tiramisu so beloved. The cookie dough is easy to make, and the mascarpone filling comes together quickly, making this a dessert that’s both impressive and low-effort.

These cookie cups are also incredibly versatile. While they are already a wonderful Valentine’s Day or holiday dessert, they can be enjoyed year-round for birthdays, dinner parties, or any occasion that calls for a sweet treat. You can even make them ahead of time and store them in the fridge for a few days, ensuring that you have a ready-to-serve dessert when you need it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tiramisu Cookie Cups are a fun, easy, and creative take on the classic Italian tiramisu. By simplifying the traditional preparation and turning it into an individual-sized, portable treat, these cookie cups make it possible to enjoy the delicious coffee, chocolate, and cream flavors of tiramisu without the time-consuming process. The soft, espresso-flavored cookie base, the rich and boozy mascarpone filling, and the dusting of cocoa powder all come together to create a dessert that is both indulgent and approachable. Whether you’re serving them at a holiday gathering, a special celebration, or just as a treat for yourself, Tiramisu Cookie Cups are sure to impress and satisfy your sweet cravings.

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