Easy Tiramisu Cupcakes

Krystle
by Krystle
24 Cupcakes
31 min

My tiramisu cupcakes feature coffee-soaked vanilla cupcakes topped with a decadent mascarpone frosting. These taste just like tiramisu but are way easier to make with my cake mix hack.

tiramisu cupcakes made with coffee soaked vanilla cupcakes topped with mascarpone frosting and cocoa powder.

These tastes just like tiramisu in cupcake form. They're super easy to make and perfect for parties. No lady fingers, no raw eggs, just an easy dessert anyone can make. They'd also be a lovely birthday treat for a coffee lover. Love coffee? Be sure to try our coffee cookies and coffee cupcakes with coffee buttercream too.


Why This Recipe Works: A Sprinkle of Food Science


  1. Semi-Homemade Cupcakes: Cake Mix + Butter + Milk=Bakery style flavor without the effort. You'll never use water and oil with cake mix again.
  2. Coffee Soak: This gives this the perfect amount of coffee flavor.
  3. Mascarpone Frosting: It is not tiramisu without sweet mascarpone. We add cream cheese to help it pipe and hold its shape.


Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
ingredients including vanilla cake mix, milk, butter, eggs, instant espresso, mascarpone, cream cheese, and cocoa powder.
  • Cake Mix: Use your favorite brand here. I'm partial to Pilsbury's traditional vanilla.
  • Milk: Use milk instead of water for a moist tender cake.
  • Butter: Use butter instead of oil for a flavorful and rich cake.
  • Mascarpone Cheese: Mascarpone tastes similar to cream cheese, but with a bit more sweetness If you don't have it on hand, you can use more cream cheese instead just be aware the flavor will not be the same.
  • Instant Coffee: Use a medium or dark roast for the best flavor. You can also use instant espresso.
  • Cocoa Powder: For dusting I like Dutch Process cocoa powder because it has a darker color that contrasts with the white frosting and a rich chocolate flavor.
a collage showing how to dip vanilla cupcakes into brewed coffee.
Krystle's Tips: Steal My Culinary School Secrets


  1. Mix Until Just Combined: Overmixing can lead to a touch, dense end result.
  2. Don't Overfill: Fill only around ~¾ of the way full so they have room to expand and don't overflow.
  3. Dip Don’t Drench. A quick dip is enough, we don't want to make them soggy.
  4. Don't Overbake: The top should spring back when slightly touched and a toothpick should come out with just a few moist crumbs. If you see raw batter keep baking a few minutes at a time.


More Cupcakes To Try


Nutella Cupcakes


Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes


Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes


Margarita Cupcakes


Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes


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📖 Recipe
Recipe details
  • 24  Cupcakes
  • Prep time: 10 Minutes Cook time: 21 Minutes Total time: 31 min
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Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
  • ▢ 1 Box(15 Ounces) Vanilla Cake Mix
  • ▢ 1 Cup Whole Milk
  • ▢ 1/2 Cup Butter
  • ▢ 3 Eggs
For the Coffee Mixture
  • ▢ 4 Tablespoons Instant Coffee or Espresso
  • ▢ 1/2 Cup Boiling Water
For the Frosting
  • ▢ 3 Tablespoons Mascarpone Cheese
  • ▢ 8 Ounces Cream Cheese Softened
  • ▢ 1/4 Cup Butter Softened
  • ▢ 2 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • ▢ 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
  • ▢ 3 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
To Garnish
  • ▢ 1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
Instructions
For the Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ,and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fill linkers about ¾ of the way full. Bake for 21-23 minutes.
Cool completely.
For the Coffee Topping
In a small bowl, mix coffee and boiling water.
Dip the top of the cupcakes into the coffee.
Leave cupcakes to rest for around 30-60 minutes before frosting.
For the Frosting
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, Mascarpone Cheese, and vanilla . Add powdered sugar a little at a time. Sitr in heavy cream as needd to reach your desired consistency.
Spread or pipe frosting onto cupcakes. I used a large star tip.
Dust cocoa powder on top of frosting using a sifter, if desired.
Krystle
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