Creamy Easy Tiramisu Cups (egg yolk custard)
Creamy and classic Italian dessert that's rich, coffee-flavored, and perfect for entertaining. Made with egg yolks, mascarpone and coffee-soaked ladyfingers, it's layered in individual cups for easy serving and can be made ahead.
Servings 8 servings
Ingredients
- 3 egg yolks
- ¼ cup sugar
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream cold
- 10 ladyfingers or savoiardi biscuits
- 1 cup cooled prepared coffee or dissolve 1 or 2 tablespoons espresso powder in 1 cup water
- 1 or 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur such as Kahlua or Tia Maria, optional
- cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
Prepare the mascarpone mixture:
- In a heatproof bowl, whisk 3 egg yolks and ¼ cup sugar until well combined. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water over medium-low heat. Make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water so the yolks don't curdle.
- Whisk the egg yolk mixture until it becomes light, foamy, and thickened. This will take about 8-10 minutes, so be patient.
- Remove from heat and immediately whisk in 8 ounces mascarpone cheese until fully incorporated and soft peaks form. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Pour whipped heavy cream into the mascarpone mixture. Gently fold them with a spatula until smooth and evenly combined.
Assemble the tiramisu:
- Place 1 cup cooled prepared coffee in a shallow dish or bowl. If using, add 1 or 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur. Have read the serving cups on a flat surface and make sure you have enough space in the fridge for chilling the desserts.
- Quickly dip each of 10 ladyfingers or savoiardi biscuits for 2–3 seconds per side, one at a time. Cut into pieces and layer a few pieces of the dipped biscuits at the bottom of each serving glass, cup or container.
- Pipe or spoon a layer of mascarpone mixture over the biscuits.
- Repeat layering with another dipped ladyfinger and more mascarpone. End with a layer of cheese mixture.
- Cover each container with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Overnight is better.
Garnish and serve:
- Before serving, remove the wrap and dust the top with a thin layer of cocoa powder for a classic tiramisu finish. Use a sifter or a fine mesh sieve.
Notes
Use mascarpone cheese. It's unique and does make a difference. It's part of tiramisu's trademark and what makes it unique. Like using cream cheese for a cheesecake, it's worth looking for it. Link to buy it online is in the recipe card.
Dip ladyfingers quickly in the coffee soak. These biscuits are hard on the outside but extremely light and porous, so they soak up liquids fast. You want them to retain their shape, not disintegrate and turn into mush.
I use strong coffee, but you can adjust it for a milder flavor. For a mellower flavor, you can also add some vanilla extract to the soaking liquid.
As for the alcohol, some recipes call for Marsala or rum instead of coffee liqueur. Choose your favorite.
