Chocolate Tiramisu Cupcakes: A Decadent Italian-Inspired Dessert in Bite-Sized Form

If you love tiramisu but want a dessert that’s portable, party-ready, and even more indulgent, you’re going to fall in love with Chocolate Tiramisu Cupcakes. These soft, mocha-infused chocolate cupcakes are filled with rich espresso flavor, topped with cloud-like mascarpone frosting, and finished with a classic dusting of cocoa powder—everything you adore in traditional tiramisu, recreated in a cupcake wrapper.

This recipe transforms the luxurious Italian dessert into an easy, elegant handheld treat that’s perfect for birthdays, brunches, holiday parties, or anytime you want a dessert that impresses effortlessly. They’re creamy, moist, deeply chocolatey, and irresistibly coffee-scented. And the best part? They are surprisingly simple to make at home.

This in-depth article gives you everything you need—from ingredients and instructions to variations, storage, expert tips, and serving ideas. Let’s dive into the cupcake version of Italy’s most iconic dessert.

Why These Chocolate Tiramisu Cupcakes Are So Special

Chocolate cupcakes are great. Tiramisu is iconic.
Put them together, and magic happens.

Here’s why these cupcakes stand out:

1. They’re Moist and Rich

The cupcakes use a chocolate base enriched with cocoa powder and hot espresso, giving them bakery-level moisture and depth.

2. They Have Authentic Tiramisu Flavor

Classic tiramisu depends on strong coffee—and these cupcakes deliver it beautifully with brewed espresso brushed right onto the freshly baked cakes.

3. The Mascarpone Frosting Is Divine

Light, creamy, and subtly sweet, this frosting is the soul of tiramisu. It’s silky enough to melt on your tongue yet stable enough to pipe beautifully.

4. They’re Perfectly Balanced

Not too sweet, not too heavy. They offer harmony between chocolate, espresso, cream, and cocoa.

5. They Look Like a Gourmet Bakery Dessert

But you don’t need advanced decorating skills. A swirl of frosting and a dusting of cocoa powder is all it takes.

What You Need to Make Chocolate Tiramisu Cupcakes

These cupcakes are made of three parts:

1. Chocolate cupcakes
2. Espresso soak (the tiramisu touch)
3. Mascarpone frosting

Let’s break down each one.

Chocolate Cupcake Base

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup hot brewed espresso (or strong coffee)

Espresso Soak

• ½ cup brewed espresso
• 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
• 1 tbsp coffee liqueur (optional)

Mascarpone Frosting

• 1 cup mascarpone cheese, cold
• 1 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream, cold
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Cocoa powder for dusting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, oil, vanilla, and sour cream until smooth.
4. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
5. Pour in hot espresso and gently mix until batter is smooth.
6. Divide batter into cupcake liners, filling ⅔ full.
7. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cupcakes cool completely.

2. Add the Espresso Soak

9. Mix espresso, sugar, and optional liqueur.
10. Brush the mixture generously over each cupcake, allowing it to absorb.

3. Prepare the Mascarpone Frosting

11. Beat mascarpone until smooth (10–15 seconds ONLY).
12. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until medium-stiff peaks form.
13. Fold whipped cream into mascarpone until fluffy and fully combined.
14. Chill for 10 minutes if needed to firm up.

4. Frost the Cupcakes

15. Pipe frosting onto each cupcake.
16. Dust generously with cocoa powder.
17. Chill 10–20 minutes before serving for classic tiramisu texture.

Chocolate Tiramisu Cupcakes

Moist chocolate cupcakes infused with espresso and topped with creamy mascarpone frosting for a decadent tiramisu-inspired treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 12 cupcakes

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 310

Ingredients

  

Cupcakes

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.33 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 0.5 cup hot brewed espresso

Espresso Soak

• 0.5 cup espresso brewed
• 1 tbsp sugar optional
• 1 tbsp coffee liqueur optional

Mascarpone Frosting

• 1 cup mascarpone cheese cold
• 1.25 cups heavy whipping cream cold
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder for dusting

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Cupcake pan
• Electric mixer
• Piping bag

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
2. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. Whisk eggs, oil, vanilla, and sour cream in another bowl.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then mix in hot espresso until smooth.
5. Divide batter into liners and bake 18–20 minutes.
6. Brush warm cupcakes with espresso soak.
7. Beat mascarpone briefly until smooth.
8. Whip cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to medium-stiff peaks.
9. Fold whipped cream into mascarpone to create frosting.
10. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes and dust with cocoa powder.

Notes

Keep mascarpone and cream cold for stable frosting.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Tiramisu Cupcakes

1. Don’t Over-Mix

The cupcakes stay moist when the batter is mixed gently.

2. Use Hot Espresso

It blooms the cocoa and boosts chocolate flavor.

3. Don’t Overbeat Mascarpone

It turns grainy and breaks. A few seconds is enough.

4. Chill Before Serving

Tiramisu is best served slightly cold—these cupcakes are no different.

5. Use Real Cocoa for Dusting

Dutch-process cocoa gives that classic tiramisu finish.

Flavor Variations

Chocolate Chip Tiramisu Cupcakes

Fold mini chocolate chips into the batter.

Baileys Tiramisu Cupcakes

Add Baileys to the espresso soak for an adult twist.

White Chocolate Tiramisu Cupcakes

Drizzle melted white chocolate on top.

Mocha Lover’s Version

Add 1 tbsp espresso powder to the cupcake batter.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve chilled with espresso or cold brew.
• Add a chocolate-covered coffee bean on top for decoration.
• Drizzle espresso syrup for extra richness.
• For parties, display on a tiered dessert stand with cocoa-dusted atmosphere.

How to Store

• Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Frosting freezes well but assembled cupcakes do not freeze well due to mascarpone.

Fun Tiramisu History

Tiramisu originated in the Northern region of Italy—most likely in Treviso—and has long symbolized indulgence, energy, and celebration. The word “tiramisu” literally means “pick me up.” These cupcakes carry that uplifting spirit in each bite, blending Italian culinary heritage with modern cupcake culture.