This easy fig tiramisu in a cup recipe is a fun twist on the classic Italian dessert. It consists of layers of mascarpone cream, espresso-dipped ladyfingers, and fresh figs. This no-bake dessert made in 15 minutes is perfect for your next party.

I am a great fan of the classic tiramisu. Moreover, I love desserts served in glasses.
So, after I made Banoffee Pie Cups some time ago, I was looking for more individual dessert ideas.
Well, I am a great fresh figs lover too. So, why not give the tiramisu some makeover, create a lighter sweet treat, and serve it in a cup?
And why not add fresh figs, making a summery twist on a traditional tiramisu recipe?
Here is how mini fig tiramisu cups were born: my love for tiramisu, seasonal fruit, and little dessert cups on my hands.
I also gathered a few creative ways to substitute tiramisu ingredients and mix them up while preparing the iconic Italian favorite.
- A kitchen scale or measuring cups and spoons are essential for measuring ingredients.
- A mixing bowl or a set of mixing bowls with a hand whisk and rubber spatula is an inexpensive mixing solution that works perfectly to mix ingredients manually.
- An electric mixer or stand mixer is the best to speed up baking.
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Jump to:
- Why you should try this recipe
- Ingredients
- How to make tiramisu in a cup
- Expert tips
- Substitute for ladyfingers in the recipe
- Type of alcohol in tiramisu
- How to make non-alcohol tiramisu
- How to serve dessert in cups
- Frequently asked questions
- Love quick desserts? Try these next!
- Recipe card
- Comments
Why you should try this recipe
- This easy no-bake recipe is best enjoyed during the summertime when it is hot outside and you do not want to turn on the oven.
- Individual tiramisu is a great dessert for an entertaining party.
- This easy tiramisu cups are what you need to surprise your family and friends.
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of what ingredients you will need. Follow the full recipe below for exact amounts and instructions. I recommend making this recipe as written for the best results.
Figs: choose fresh seasonal figs that are clean and dry, with smooth skin. Look for the fruit soft to the touch but not mushy.
Mascarpone cheese: it is an essential ingredient of tiramisu. To make some twist on a classic, replace mascarpone cream with fruity yogurt or plain yogurt mixed with some jam.
Eggs: use pasteurized eggs at room temperature to make tiramisu.
Attention: since the classic dessert is made with raw eggs, it is unsuitable for kids, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Use whipped cream to avoid raw eggs in the dessert.
Sugar: the recipe calls for regular granulated sugar.
Espresso: use your favorite cold espresso for the recipe.
Marsala: use this traditional sweet Marsala wine or replace it with alternatives.
Ladyfingers: these ladyfinger cookies, also known as Savoiardi biscuits, are classic stars of the dessert. Substitute them with other cookies or tea cakes if you prefer.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: it is used to decorated individual cups; so, this ingredient is optional here.
How to make tiramisu in a cup
To make the airy mascarpone cream, separate egg whites from yolks with an egg separator.
In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, until smooth.
Then add one tablespoon Marsala and whisk again (photo 1).
In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites with a pinch of salt and gently add to the mascarpone cheese mixture, using a rubber spatula (photo 2).
Pour strong coffee - cold espresso - on a deep plate and add the remaining tablespoon of Marsala.
Dip ladyfingers cut in halves quickly, one at a time, and place into the bottom of six glass cups.
Pipe or spoon half of the mascarpone cream, then place eight quarters of fresh figs (photo 3).
Cover with another layer of ladyfinger biscuits dipped in coffee, then spread another layer of the remaining cream and even top of the dessert with a bent spatula.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. At the last moment, sprinkle with cocoa powder (photo 4). Use a stencil if desired.
Expert tips
- Do not oversoak ladyfinger halves – just dip cookies in cold espresso mixture, count to 3.
- Cover ready mini tiramisu cups with a plastic wrap if you plan them later than 2 hours after making.
- Sprinkle the top layer of the dessert with cocoa powder once you are ready to serve, although dusting of cocoa powder is optional.
- Use a decorating stencil to make a design with cocoa powder if you prefer.
Substitute for ladyfingers in the recipe
Ladyfingers are sweet sponge biscuits that are shaped like a large finger. They are the main ingredient of tiramisu, trifles, and charlottes.
Replace a layer of coffee-dipped ladyfingers with shortbread cookies reduced to pieces with a food processor.
Or use gingerbread sliced or cut into small cubes (without soaking).
Madeleines or financiers cut or broken into pieces, arranged in a glass, and then poured with a liqueur to soak work as well.
Pink champagne biscuits of Reims dipped in orange juice bring a festive mood.
Speculoos cookies dipped in orange juice, reduced into pieces with a food processor, or broken into pieces by hand (no dipping in this case) are alternatives to traditional ladyfingers.
You can also use biscotti soaked in espresso, macarons, or a cake slice broken into small pieces (without dipping) to granola (no dipping or soaking).
Type of alcohol in tiramisu
Sweet Marsala is mostly used to make the classic tiramisu; although, you can easily replace it with other liqueurs to create your own twist on the classic. Here is a list of possible substitutes:
- Madeira or sweet sherry
- Amaretto
- Dark rum
- Brandy
- Porto
- Coffee liqueur or coffee-flavored liqueur Kahlua
- Cherry, raspberry, or plum liqueur diluted with water if you use cherries, raspberries, or plums, respectively.
How to make non-alcohol tiramisu
There is always an option to make this mini tiramisu without alcohol to serve the dessert to kids.
- Dip ladyfingers in espresso without adding alcohol.
- Use ladyfingers or Pink champagne biscuits of Reims dipped in orange juice.
- Dip biscuits in a mix of an equal amount of maple syrup and water.
How to serve dessert in cups
Use simple shot glasses to make cup desserts or use cocktail glasses like chef Rick Stein.
Serve dessert in martini glasses like chef Gordon Ramsey and impress your guests.
Wine glasses used by Claire from Sprinkles and Sprouts and little jars offered by Jamie Silva from A Sassy Spoon are other great alternatives.
But you can always serve a dessert in cups you have available at home!
Frequently asked questions
Tiramisu is a traditional Italian dessert made with Savoiardi Ladyfingers - cookies dipped in coffee and layered with mascarpone cheese cream. This dessert has an interesting etymology: the word tiramisu means "pick me up" or "cheer me up” - a sentiment anyone could use after a long working day.
Yes, tiramisu can be made 1 to 2 days in advance and stored (covered with plastic film) in the fridge.
If you serve tiramisu dessert to kids, you can omit alcohol from the recipe.
Love quick desserts? Try these next!
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Recipe card
Tiramisu In A Cup
This easy fig tiramisu in a cup recipe is a fun twist on the traditional Italian dessert. It consists of layers of mascarpone cream, espresso-dipped ladyfingers, and figs. This no-bake dessert made in 15 minutes is perfect for an entertaining party.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Category: No-bake
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 12 fresh figs
- 12 ladyfingers
Mascarpone cream:
- 11.8 oz (335 g) mascarpone cheese
- 4 eggs
- ⅓ cup + 1 teaspoon (80 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Marsala
- 1 pinch of salt
For espresso mixture:
- ⅔ cup (155 ml) cold espresso
- 1 tablespoon Marsala
For decoration:
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (optional)
* If needed, please refer to Baking Conversion Charts.
Instructions
-
To make the airy mascarpone cream, separate egg whites from yolks with an egg separator. In a mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, until smooth. Then add one tablespoon of Marsala and whisk again.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites with a pinch of salt and gently add them to the mascarpone cheese mixture using a rubber spatula.
-
Pour strong strong coffee - cold espresso - on a deep plate and add the remaining one tablespoon of Marsala. Dip ladyfingers cut in halves quickly, one at a time, and place into the bottom of six glass cups. Pipe or spoon half of the mascarpone cream, then place eight quarters of fresh figs. Cover with another layer of cookies dipped in coffee, then spread a layer of the remaining cream and even top of the dessert with a bent spatula.
-
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. At the last moment, sprinkle with cocoa powder. Use a stencil if desired.
Notes
- Do not oversoak ladyfinger halves – just dip cookies in a cold espresso mixture, counting to 3.
- Cover ready mini tiramisu cups with the plastic film if you plan to serve them later than 2 hours after making.
- Sprinkle the top layer of the dessert with cocoa powder once you are ready to serve, although dusting of cocoa powder is optional.
- Use a decorating stencil to make a design with cocoa powder if you prefer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 369
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 128 mg
- Fat: 12.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 6.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 52.8 g
- Fiber: 3.9 g
- Protein: 13.6 g
- Cholesterol: 186 mg
Keywords: fig tiramisu, tiramisu cups, mini tiramisu, tiramisu in a cup, tiramisu cups recipe
The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee. If the nutrition information is important to you, you should independently verify it using your preferred tool. Under no circumstances will Baking Like a Chef be responsible for any loss or damage resulting from your reliance on the nutritional information. You are solely responsible for all decisions about your health and ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate. Please, read the disclaimers in our Privacy Policy.
The recipe was originally published on September 11, 2019. It has been and revised to include improved content and photos. All posted pictures are mine.
Anita says
Who would have thought that adding fresh fruits to a classic tiramisu will make an even better tiramisu. This is definitely a keeper, and a very fun way to enjoy fresh figs.
★★★★★
Irina says
Anita, imagine that you can customize the recipe replacing figs with other fruit! Thank you and enjoy!
Emily says
I love fig season and am always looking for ways to enjoy figs in recipes. This easy fig tiramisu was delicious and also looks so pretty!
★★★★★
Irina says
This is excellent news that you loved the recipe. Thanks, Emily!
Kushigalu says
What a gorgeous looking Italian dessert this is. I can't wait to make this one for my family.
★★★★★
Irina says
You will love it, Kushigalu! It is so easy to make, too. 🙂
Shanika says
These dessert cups look so amazing! I love how unique they are!
★★★★★
Irina says
Thank you very much, Shanika!
Monica says
Love these! Figs are so underused in the kitchen, for something so pretty and with such amazing flavor. And individual desserts are always the best. These would be a show-stopper for any dinner party!
★★★★★
Irina says
I agree with you, Monica. Please, enjoy the recipe.
Charla says
Perfect! It is the type of dessert that you showcase when you're hosting for a dinner party.
★★★★★
Irina says
And everyone will call you the best dinner host ever, Charla 🙂
Tara says
Such a wonderful use for figs and a delicious twist on the classic tiramisu! Definitely the perfect light and refreshing dessert. Yum!
★★★★★
Irina says
Thank you, Tara! Yes, it is so light and summery. 🙂