Tiramisu Pudding Cups are a fun, individual-sized take on the classic Italian dessert, with all the creamy, coffee-soaked goodness you love in a more portable form. These layered cups are easy to make, no baking required, and they bring that deliciously decadent tiramisu flavor in every spoonful. Here’s a simple recipe for you:
Ingredients:
For the pudding:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp instant coffee granules (dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water)
For the layers:
- 1 1/2 cups ladyfingers (you can also use sponge cake if needed)
- 1/4 cup brewed espresso or strong coffee (cooled)
- 2 tbsp coffee liqueur (optional, but adds great flavor!)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (for dusting)
- Chocolate shavings (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
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Make the pudding:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch. Place the pan over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes). Be sure to keep stirring to avoid lumps or burning.
- Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and the dissolved instant coffee.
- Pour the pudding into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap (press the wrap directly on the surface of the pudding to avoid a skin forming), and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until completely set.
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Prepare the ladyfingers:
- In a shallow dish, combine the brewed espresso (or coffee) with the coffee liqueur (if using). Dip each ladyfinger into the coffee mixture for about 1-2 seconds—don’t soak them too long, or they’ll get too soggy!
- Break the soaked ladyfingers into smaller pieces to fit into your serving cups (about 8-10 ladyfingers, depending on cup size).
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Assemble the tiramisu cups:
- Once the pudding is chilled and thickened, it’s time to assemble!
- In individual serving cups or small bowls, start by layering some of the coffee-soaked ladyfinger pieces at the bottom.
- Spoon a layer of the chilled tiramisu pudding over the ladyfingers. Repeat the process with another layer of ladyfingers, followed by a final layer of pudding.
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Chill and garnish:
- After assembling all your cups, cover them with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight. This helps all the flavors meld together and gives the dessert a perfect consistency.
- Just before serving, dust the top of each pudding cup with cocoa powder and, if desired, garnish with chocolate shavings or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flair.
These Tiramisu Pudding Cups are creamy, coffee-flavored, and super easy to make. They’ve got all the rich, sweet flavor of traditional tiramisu but in a no-bake, individual-serving format.
Would you prefer your tiramisu cups with more coffee flavor or would you add a twist like a touch of chocolate or caramel in the layers?