Tiramisu Cupcakes (with Kahlua and espresso, topped with a chocolate covered coffee bean)

Tiramisu Cupcakes

I LOVE tiramisu! The only thing is...

....when I first made it, I was maybe a bit  generous soaking the ladyfingers in coffee liqueur, and my mascarpone cream filling wasn’t very thick.

So it tasted amazing, but oh man - serving it was a huge mess! I hesitated to make it for a party or large group for years afterward juuust because it was so messy to serve!

Wanting a tiramisu dessert more easily served to a large group; I put together these Tiramisu cupcakes!  they taste AMAZING and can be served with minimal mess! 😉 All wins in my book!

Why you'll love this Tiramisu Cupcake recipe - 

  • First, a rich vanilla cupcake flavored with a touch of espresso forms the dessert base
  • Then they're cored and drizzled with espresso and Kahlua to mimic the liqueur-soaked ladyfingers of the classic Tiramisu dessert
  • Then they're filled with chocolate Kahlua filling -
  • And finally, topped with a swirl of light whipped cream  cheese and Neufchatel buttercream. (SO good!) A sprinkle of cocoa powder and a chocolate covered espresso bean completes the look. They look as delicious as they taste! 

Recipe and instructions below! 

FAQs 

"Do I have to use Kahlua?"
  • Absolutely not if you don't want to! Dark rum is the most commonly used liqueur for tiramisu, though a sweet red wine (Marsala) is traditional. You can also use amaretto or any coffee liqueur. I used Kahlua out of personal preference, but feel free to substitute your favorite liqueur!  

"How should I store these cupcakes?"
  • Cover any remaining cupcakes well - so they don't dry out. I usually use a sealable container with cling wrap or a cupcake/cake carrier.  They'll keep in the fridge for 3-5 days. (I recommend the refrigerator because of the cream cheese in the frosting/filling.) 
Can I make the cupcakes / frosting ahead of time? 
  • You can! Wrap the cupcakes really well in cling wrap (or use freezer zip-lock bags). Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 4 months.

  • Transfer the frosting to a zip-lock bag and squeeze out the extra air, and again - refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 4 months.

  • If you freeze the cupcakes / frosting, thaw in the refrigerator. 

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Don't forget to pin this recipe for later! 

Tiramisu Cupcakes pinterest pin
Tiramisu Cupcakes (with Kahlua and espresso, topped with a chocolate covered coffee bean)

Tiramisu cupcakes

If you're craving Tiramisu in single-serving form - these delicious coffee and Kahlua Tiramisu Cupcakes are just for you!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Decorating time 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 24 cupcakes
Calories 497 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Tiramisu Cupcakes

Tiramisu Frosting + cupcake filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese (one package; softened)
  • 8 oz Neufchatel cheese (one package; softened)
  • 8 Tablespoons butter (one stick; softened)
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Kahlua
  • 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
  • 3-5 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup cocoa powder (save and add later!)
  • 3 Tablespoons Kahlua (save and add later!)

Cupcake drizzle + Decorations

Instructions
 

Tiramisu Cupcakes

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees (180C), and line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners.
  • Melt your unsalted butter and set aside to cool (so that it doesn't cook your eggs when added to the batter!)
  • In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and instant espresso powder).
  • In a separate bowl, beat sugar, eggs, vanilla, milk and sour cream until well combined. Add the cooled melted butter and whisk again until well combined.
  • Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. (Thick batter is normal!)
  • Divide the batter between the cupcake liners, filling them about 2/3 full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until set in the centers and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before filling and decorating. (This is a great time to make your filling and frosting!)

Tiramisu Frosting

  • Beat together softened cream and Neufchatel cheeses and butter; slowly add in powdered sugar alternating with milk and Kahlua until frosting reaches a pipeable consistency. Add vanilla and salt and beat until well combined.
  • Remove 1 cup of frosting and stir in 1/2 cup cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons Kahlua – this will be your chocolate filling!

Assembly

  • Once the cupcakes have cooled, you're ready to core them. There are a few ways you can do this....you can buy a cupcake corer, or you can do what I do and cut a core out with a plastic knife. Up to you! I haven't the foggiest idea why cupcake crumbs don't stick to plastic knives like they do regular knives, but it’s been working for me for years – I figure if it’s not broken don’t fix it!
  • Microwave ½ cup kahlua for about 30 seconds, until warmed, and stir in 3 Tablespoons of instant espresso powder until dissolved. With a squeeze bottle drizzle each cupcake with a few teaspoons of the espresso-kahlua mixture.
  • Fill cored cupcakes with chocolate filling - this can be done with a spoon, though I find a piping bag faster and easier. (On to the fun part!)

Decorating!

  • Transfer remaining frosting to a large piping bag – I used the largest open star tip from this set to pipe mine. Pipe into large swirls onto your cupcakes, and place an espresso bean on top of each one.
  • Add a few teaspoons of cocoa powder into your sifter, and add a dusting of cocoa powder over your cupcakes – and you’re done!

Video

Notes

Please note nutrition information is an estimate and may not be exactly accurate.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcakeCalories: 497kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 6gFat: 24g
Keyword Tiramisu cupcakes
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A bit of recipe credit - I've modified significantly, but Two Sugar Bugs’ ‘Simply Vanilla Cupcakes’ recipe inspired this cupcake base! Do yourself a favor and check out Tasia’s site; she is an amazing lady with a beautiful blog! 

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