This easy fig tiramisu cups 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.

If you are a fan of the classic Italian tiramisu, you will love these individual tiramisu cups. They represent a verrine dessert, a decadently layered dessert served in a small glass.
Banoffee Pie Cups is another excellent example of dessert cups. It is made with bananas and topped with whipped cream.
While most of the desserts you can make all year round, there are some in particular perfect during the summertime, such as ice cream, vacherin, sorbet, etc.
And when the fig season arrives, why not give the traditional tiramisu some makeover by adding fresh figs and creating a lighter sweet treat?
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So these mini tiramisu cups are a new way of exploring combinations: classic tiramisu is combined with seasonal fruit and served in glasses.
You can't go wrong with this flavor combination: give it all yours while fings are in the season.
Also, enjoy creative ways to substitute tiramisu ingredients and mix them up while preparing the iconic Italian favorite.
Why you should try this recipe
- In the summertime, you want to stay cool and away from heat. That is why this easy no-bake recipe is best enjoyed when it comes without an oven.
- Tiramisu in a cup is the perfect dessert for any party (birthday, BBQ, dinner party, etc.) or when you want something sweet but don't have much time.
- It only takes 15 minutes to prepare a mini tiramisu recipe. And you will love how its light tiramisu flavor goes perfectly with figs.
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 the recipe as written for the best results.
- Figs: choose fresh seasonal figs that are clean and dry, with smooth skin. Look for the fruit to be soft to the touch but not mushy.
- Mascarpone cheese (Italian cream cheese) is an essential ingredient of tiramisu. To make some twist on a classic, replace mascarpone cream with fruity yogurt or plain yogurt mixed with jam.
- Eggs: use pasteurized eggs at room temperature to make tiramisu. Or pasteurize eggs yourself: it only takes 13 minutes from start to finish.
Attention: since this tiramisu cup recipe is made with raw egg yolks, it is unsuitable for kids, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Please, use whipped cream to avoid raw eggs in the dessert.
- Sugar: the recipe calls for regular granulated sugar or caster sugar.
- Espresso: use cold espresso coffee for the recipe. Or use decaf coffee if you want to avoid caffeine in your tiramisu.
- Marsala: use this traditional sweet Marsala wine or replace it with alternatives (read about tiramisu variations below).
- Ladyfingers (also known as Savoiardi biscuits) are classic stars of the dessert. Make sure to purchase the crispy-style Italian cookies from Forno Bonomi, Balocco, or Matilde Vicenzi - these are the best brands to choose from.
If you want to make gluten-free mini tiramisu cups, these gluten-free ladyfingers will work perfectly. Also, read below about substituting ladyfinger biscuits with other cookies or tea cakes.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder is used to decorate fig tiramisu, so this ingredient is optional here.
How to make tiramisu cups
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 with an electric hand mixer until smooth.
Then add one tablespoon of Marsala and whisk again (photo 1).
Whisk egg whites with a pinch of salt in a separate bowl until soft peaks. Gently add to the mascarpone mixture using a rubber spatula (photo 2).
Pour strong coffee - cold espresso - on a shallow plate and add the remaining tablespoon of Marsala wine.
Dip ladyfinger halves in the coffee mixture quickly, one at a time, and place them into the bottom of six glass cups.
Pipe with a piping bag or spoon half of the mascarpone cream between cups, then place eight quarters of fresh figs into each cup (photo 3).
Cover with another layer of lady fingers dipped in coffee, then spread another layer of the remaining cream and aline the top of the dessert with a bent spatula.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. At the last moment, sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa powder (photo 4). Use a stencil if desired.
Expert Tips
- Don't oversoak ladyfinger halves - dip cookies in a cold espresso mixture, and count to 2 or 3.
- Cover ready mini tiramisu cups with plastic wrap if you plan to serve them later than 2 hours after making.
- Sprinkle the top layer of the dessert with cocoa powder or grated dark chocolate once you are ready to serve, although this is optional.
- Use a decorating stencil to make a design with cocoa powder if you prefer.
Tiramisu cups variations
- While classic tiramisu is made with ladyfingers or pavesini biscuits, you can replace these cookies with shortbread cookies reduced to large 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 perfectly.
- You can also try to use French pink champagne biscuits dipped in orange juice: they will 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 great alternatives to traditional ladyfingers. You can make speculoos tiramisu in jars in no time.
- You can also use biscotti soaked in espresso, crushed macarons, or a cake slice broken into small pieces (without dipping) to granola (no dipping or soaking).
If you want to play with alcohol, replace traditional Marsala with another kind of alcohol to create your own twist on the classic. Here is a list of possible substitutes:
- Madeira or sweet sherry
- Amaretto
- Dark rum
- Brandy
- Porto
- Limoncello (here is a recipe for Limoncello tiramisu)
- Coffee liqueur or coffee-flavored liqueur Kahlua
- Cherry, raspberry, or plum liqueur diluted with water if you use cherries, raspberries, or plums, respectively
- Vanilla extract
But there is an option to make tiramisu without alcohol, like this Tiramisu torte, if you want to serve the dessert to kids. Here are a few alcohol-free tiramisu ideas:
- Dip ladyfingers in espresso without alcohol, or use pink champagne biscuits of Reims dipped in orange juice.
- Dip biscuits in a mix of an equal amount of maple syrup and water.
Finally, how to serve tiramisu cups? What cups or glasses should you use?
Use simple shot glasses, martini glasses, cocktail glasses, wine glasses, little jars, or any cups available at home. Everything works!
Storage instructions
Store little tiramisu cups in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. You can also freeze them covered with plastic wrap for up to two weeks.
Let your dessert thaw in the fridge for about 2 hours, sprinkle with cocoa powder, and serve.
Recipe FAQ
This dessert has an interesting etymology: tiramisu means "pick me up" or "cheer me up"- a sentiment anyone could use after a long working day.
The original tiramisu is made with Italian ladyfingers, eggs, sugar, mascarpone, Marsala, coffee, and cocoa powder. Some recipes use whipping cream.
It is essential to use high-quality ingredients when making a classic like a tiramisu. Opt for Italian-style ladyfingers, real espresso, fresh eggs, and mascarpone.
The important ingredient in tiramisu is high-quality hard savoiardi biscuits. For the best results possible, choose Italian brands: hard savoiardi ladyfingers by Forno Bonomi or Balocco would be perfect.
Ladyfingers, known as savoiardi biscuits, are the traditional way to make tiramisu. However, you can replace them with Italian pavesini biscuits, pink champagne biscuits, shortbread cookies, speculoos, Oreos, pound cake, or sponge cake cut into ladyfingers' size strips. Also, you can opt for homemade ladyfingers.
Since the original tiramisu includes alcohol and coffee, the best and quick answer is "not." In addition, cocoa powder contains caffeine that is not recommended for young kids.
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Recipe card
Fig Tiramisu Cups
This easy fig tiramisu cups 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 1x
- 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 shallow plate and add the remaining one tablespoon of Marsala. Dip ladyfinger halves in a coffee mixture quickly, one at a time, and place them into the bottom of six glass cups. Pipe with a piping bag or spoon half of the mascarpone cream between cups, then place eight quarters of fresh figs into each cup.
-
Cover with another layer of cookies dipped in coffee, then spread a layer of the remaining cream and aline the 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
- Don't oversoak ladyfinger halves – dip cookies in a cold espresso mixture, counting to 2.
- 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 or grated dark chocolate once you are ready to serve, although this 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.
The recipe was originally published on September 11, 2019. It has been revised to include improved content and photos. All posted pictures are mine.
Tonje says
Oh yum! I love how this looks!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Thank you Tonje!
Brian Jones says
I'd never of thought of putting figs in a tiramisu but it works wonderfully, delicious!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
This was my first attempt to add fruits to a classic Tiramisu, but I loved it!
Alexandra says
A delicious recipe!
I love fig and I love tiramisu - just divine to combine the two together.
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Alexandra, I agree with you:)
Veena Azmanov says
Awesome combination and I surely love it. Tasty and delicious. Presentation awesome.
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Veena, thank you so much!
Tisha says
This looks like a delicious version of tiramisu. The fig is amazing!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Figs made a real twist on a classic Tiramisu!
Adrianne says
Oh wow! I can't wait to make this recipe!! Figs are one of my favourite fruits and I am glad you did them justice!! Cheers
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Adrianne, I hope you will love this elegant Tiramisu!
Pam Greer says
I love the addition of figs to a tiramisu!! What a fabulous idea! This is going to be a favorite at our house!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Just make it and enjoy!:)
Andrea Metlika says
Oh my gosh this looks Wonderful! What a fabulous combination of flavors.
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Thank you Andrea! Fresh figs become a main ingredient in this elegant and delicious version of Tiramisu.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
I absolutely love the twist you've put on it! As both a tiramisu fan and a fig fan, this is right up my street!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
I hope you will try this dessert! Enjoy!
Raia Todd says
Oooooh my goodness! Tiramisu is my weakness! I can't wait to dig in.
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Raia, you will love it! Guaranteed!
Shinta Simon says
Love how quick and decadent this looks! Great twist on a classic. Love figs myself!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
This dessert really takes 15 minutes to make! It's a dessert we never, ever tire of:)
Veena Azmanov says
Awesome presentation and surely delicious to eat. Have to make some for my family.
★★★★★
Suzy says
Thank you for sharing this because I have a fridge full of figs that I have no idea what to do with! Making this ASAP!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Oh, Suzy, have fun making this fig dessert and enjoy! You might want to check other fig recipes on my blog!
Eileen Kelly says
I am a crazy fan of tiramisu. Making a fig tiramisu is amazing. The flavors pop and the end result is the most delicious dessert!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
The purple pop of figs and its flavor turn this Tiramisu into a visual feast. I agree with you!
Natalie says
Such a unique way to make tiramisu! Looks so delicious, I love figs!
★★★★★
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. 🙂