Easy Tiramisu Cake-Individual Portions Recipe

Craving tiramisu but not up for the fuss of a traditional trifle? This Easy Tiramisu Cake-Individual Portions is your dreamy solution. Think tender yellow cake rounds, a hint of coffee soak, cloud-like mascarpone frosting, all presented in coupe glasses for a showstopping (yet totally doable) personal dessert.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of simple, easy-to-find staples for this recipe—and each one adds its own texture and rich flavor to these Easy Tiramisu Cake-Individual Portions. Let’s take a quick look at what makes each ingredient special.

• Yellow Cake Mix: Provides a soft, sweet base and allows you to skip from-scratch cake, so you can focus on the luscious filling.
• Freshly Brewed Coffee or Espresso: The essential tiramisu flavor—strong and slightly bitter, it soaks into the cake for a delicious contrast.
• Coconut Sugar: Adds subtle caramel notes to the coffee soak, which makes the flavor just a bit deeper than standard sugar.
• Mascarpone Cheese: The heart of any tiramisu, mascarpone is rich and creamy, perfect for making that signature frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the mascarpone frosting and keeps it silky-smooth.
• Heavy Cream: Whips up into a fluffy, light cloud that gives your frosting volume and a soft texture.
• Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds a warm, aromatic undertone that ties all the flavors together.
• Cacao Powder: For dusting the tops, giving that classic bittersweet finish and a beautiful color contrast.
• Coupe Glasses: Essential for cutting out the cake rounds and creating those cute, party-ready individual servings.

Variations

The best part about Easy Tiramisu Cake-Individual Portions? You can switch up the flavors, swap out ingredients, and tailor them to any occasion—so don’t be afraid to get creative or make adjustments for dietary needs!

• Gluten-Free Version: Use your favorite gluten-free yellow cake mix—the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free so everyone can enjoy.
• Alcohol-Infused: Add a splash of Marsala wine, Kahlua, or dark rum to the coffee soak for a traditional, “grown-up” tiramisu warmth.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and a dairy-free mascarpone alternative to keep it creamy and luscious.
• Chocolate Lovers’ Twist: Swap the yellow cake for a rich chocolate cake base and add a layer of shaved chocolate between frosting and cake.

How to Make Easy Tiramisu Cake-Individual Portions

Step 1: Bake and Cool the Cake

Start by whipping up your yellow cake mix according to the package directions, and spread it into a 13×9 inch pan. Once it’s a beautiful golden color and your kitchen smells amazing, set it aside to cool completely. This will help it cut cleanly and soak up the coffee later on.

Step 2: Cut Cake Rounds

Once the cake is cool, grab your coupe glasses and, taking one at a time, press the rim gently into the cake like a big cookie cutter. Tip: You’ll get neat, perfectly round portions that fit right back in the glass for serving.

Step 3: Soak with Coffee

Dissolve coconut sugar into freshly brewed coffee or espresso. Spoon about 3 tablespoons over each cake round (while it’s in the coupe glass). The goal: moisten the cake without making it soggy. Pop the glasses in the fridge for a few minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.

Step 4: Whip Up the Mascarpone Frosting

In a stand mixer or with hand beaters, blend the mascarpone and powdered sugar until completely smooth and creamy—it’ll take just a couple of minutes. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the cold heavy cream and beat until you get a frosting that’s thick, billowy, and holds soft peaks. Finish with a splash of vanilla extract or paste, mixing just until combined.

Step 5: Assemble and Chill

Transfer the mascarpone frosting to a piping bag (a zip-top bag with the corner snipped works too) and swirl a generous layer over each soaked cake round. Finish with a lovely dusting of cacao powder. Let the Easy Tiramisu Cake-Individual Portions chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes—this sets the frosting and deepens the flavor.

How to Serve Easy Tiramisu Cake-Individual Portions

Garnishes

A classic dusting of cacao powder is the quickest (and prettiest!) way to finish these off, but don’t stop there—add chocolate curls, a sprinkle of espresso powder, or even a single chocolate-covered espresso bean for a playful touch.

Side Dishes

While these Easy Tiramisu Cake-Individual Portions are stars all on their own, they’re delightful paired with crisp biscotti, a bowl of fresh berries, or a scoop of cold vanilla gelato on a warm summer night.

Creative Ways to Present

Show off your flair by building these in clear jars, elegant wine glasses, or even individual mason jars for picnics. Sprinkle each with a little edible gold leaf or micro mint for a truly “WOW” finish at your next gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover the glasses with plastic wrap and refrigerate any leftovers for up to three days. The cakes will absorb even more flavor, so you might just find they taste better the next day!

Freezing

These Easy Tiramisu Cake-Individual Portions freeze surprisingly well. Place the assembled, UNdusted desserts in an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then dust with cacao powder just before serving.

Reheating

No reheating needed for this cake! Just serve direct from the fridge, but if it’s been frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator so the mascarpone frosting keeps its airy texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re as swept away by these Easy Tiramisu Cake-Individual Portions as I am! It’s the best of all tiramisu worlds—impressive, simple, blissfully creamy, and just the right size for sharing (or not!). Treat yourself and your loved ones to these sweet little cakes—you may never make tiramisu any other way again!

Print