Description
Deconstructed Tiramisu Shots offer a delightful twist on the classic Italian dessert by layering espresso-soaked ladyfingers with creamy mascarpone and whipped cream in individual servings. Quick to assemble and perfect for entertaining, these elegant shots combine bold coffee flavors with luscious textures, dusted with cocoa powder and garnished with optional dark chocolate shavings for an indulgent finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Ladyfinger Layer
- 8 ladyfinger biscuits (savoiardi), broken into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup freshly brewed espresso, cooled
- 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa or Tia Maria)
Mascarpone Cream
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup cold heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
- Dark chocolate shavings, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Espresso Soak: Combine the cooled espresso and coffee liqueur in a shallow bowl. This mixture will be used to flavor the ladyfinger pieces with coffee and a slight hint of liqueur.
- Soak Ladyfingers: Briefly dip each piece of broken ladyfinger into the espresso and coffee liqueur mixture, taking care not to soak them too long to prevent sogginess. Set them aside after dipping.
- Make Mascarpone Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Whip Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the cold heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture, combining until fully incorporated and the texture is light and airy.
- Assemble First Layer: Place a layer of the espresso-soaked ladyfinger pieces at the bottom of each shot glass to form the base of the dessert.
- Add Mascarpone Layer: Spoon or pipe a generous layer of the mascarpone cream over the ladyfinger base in each shot glass.
- Repeat Layers: Add a second layer of soaked ladyfingers followed by another layer of the mascarpone cream to build the classic layered tiramisu effect.
- Garnish: Dust the tops of the shots with unsweetened cocoa powder. Optionally, add dark chocolate shavings for an extra touch of decadence and visual appeal.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled tiramisu shots for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the cream to set slightly, enhancing the texture and taste.
Notes
- Be careful not to over-soak the ladyfingers to avoid a soggy texture.
- Use fresh, cooled espresso for the best coffee flavor and temperature contrast.
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the coffee liqueur or substitute with additional espresso.
- Chilling time can be extended to up to 4 hours or overnight for more developed flavors.
- Serve chilled for optimal taste and texture.
