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Layers of mascarpone, cream cheese, espresso-soaked ladyfingers and cocoa powder come together in these tiramisu cheesecake mini trifles. They combine the classic Italian flavors of tiramisu with the creaminess of cheesecake, all served in single portions that look elegant and taste indulgent. The mascarpone mixture is light and airy, balanced with the rich espresso and a touch of coffee liqueur. Finished with a dusting of cocoa and chocolate shavings, these trifles bring café-style luxury, as well as seasonal fun, to your table.
Tiramisu cheesecake mini trifles layer mascarpone, cream cheese and espresso-soaked ladyfingers with cocoa and chocolate shavings for a rich holiday dessert.
For more delicious festive treats, consider Grinch heart cookies, pink peppermint jello shots or stained glass Christmas cookies.
Why You’ll Love It
Single serve charm: Individual glasses look elegant and are easy to serve.
Balanced flavor: Espresso, mascarpone and cocoa strike the perfect note.
No bake ease: Skip the oven with this quick chilled dessert.
Make ahead: Prepare in advance so it’s ready when you are.
Tiramisu Mini Cheesecake Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Espresso: Provides bold coffee flavor to soak into the ladyfingers.
Coffee liqueur: Adds depth and enhances the coffee notes.
Mascarpone: Italian cheese that gives authentic creamy richness.
Cream cheese: Balances mascarpone with tang and structure.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the mascarpone base.
Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to light peaks for an airy texture.
Powdered sugar: Blends smoothly into the whipped cream.
Ladyfingers: Soft sponge biscuits that absorb the espresso mixture.
Cocoa powder: Dusts the top with a slightly bitter finish.
Semi-sweet chocolate shavings: Provide garnish and extra chocolate flavor.
How to Make Tiramisu Cheesecake Mini Trifles
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make espresso mixture: Stir espresso and coffee liqueur together.
Mix cheeses: Blend cream cheese with sugar, then add mascarpone.
Whip cream: Beat heavy cream with powdered sugar and coffee liqueur until stiff.
Fold mixtures: Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture.
Layer trifles: Pipe mascarpone mixture into National Lampoon glass mugs (or serving glasses), dip ladyfingers in espresso and layer with more mascarpone. Repeat layers.
Finish and chill: Dust with cocoa, top with chocolate shavings and refrigerate your tiramisu dessert cups until cold.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free ladyfingers in place of regular ones.
Flavor swap: Add a splash of vanilla extract instead of coffee liqueur.
Chocolate boost: Use chocolate liqueur or drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Instant espresso: If you decide to use instant espresso, add 2 tablespoons of espresso granules to ½ cup water.
Fruit layer: Add fresh raspberries or strawberries between layers.
Alcohol-free: Skip the liqueur and add more espresso or a splash of vanilla.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Begin your Christmas meal with an antipasto Christmas tree.
Main course: Serve pineapple glazed ham with garlic mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and roasted acorn squash.
Dessert: Bring out these tiramisu cheesecake mini trifles for dessert and perhaps whip up some white Christmas punch too!
How to Store Mini Trifles
Store: They’ll hold well for 2 to 3 days, and the flavor often deepens after a night in the fridge as the espresso soaks into the ladyfingers. If you want to garnish with cocoa powder and chocolate shavings, it’s best to do that just before serving so the topping stays neat and dry.
Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing them.
Top Tips
Don’t over-mix mascarpone: Keep it light and smooth for the best texture.
Dip quickly: Ladyfingers soak fast, so a brief dip avoids sogginess.
Fold gently: Over-folding can deflate the whipped cream.
Chocolate shavings: Using a vegetable peeler, scrape the outside edge of a bar of semi-sweet chocolate.
Chill well: Resting time helps flavors meld and layers set.
Cheesecake Tiramisu Mini Trifles FAQs
No, any small jars or cups work fine for layering. But if you want to use the cute National Lampoon mugs, you can find them here!
At least an hour, but longer allows the flavors to blend even better.
Yes, dissolve instant espresso granules in hot water and cool before using.
Tiramisu Cheesecake Mini Trifles Recipe
Tiramisu Cheesecake Mini Trifles
Equipment
- Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Peeler for Making Chocolate Curls
Ingredients
For the Espresso Mixture
- ½ Cup espresso, chilled
- 2 Tablespoons coffee liqueur
For the Cheesecake Mixture
- 8 Ounces mascarpone
- 8 Ounces cream cheese
- ¼ Cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ Cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ Cup powdered sugar
- 2 Teaspoons coffee liqueur, I used Kahlúa
To Assemble
- mascarpone filling , above
- espresso mixture , above
- 12 ladyfingers, halved across the middle
- cocoa powder, for dusting
- ½ Ounce semi-sweet chocolate, about 1 Tablespoon, shaved, for garnish
Instructions
Make the Espresso Mixture
- In a small bowl, combine chilled espresso and coffee liqueur. Set aside.
Make the Cheesecake Mixture
- In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese and sugar until blended. Add mascarpone. Mix until just incorporated. Don't over-mix. Set aside.
- To the bowl of a mixer, add heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon coffee liqueur (or vanilla extract). Whip on high until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream mixture into the mascarpone mixture.
Assemble the Dessert
- Pipe mascarpone mixture into an 8-ounce glass or jar, just covering the bottom.
- Dip two lady finger halves into the espresso mixture and immediately arrange them on top of the mascarpone layer.
- Pipe another layer of the mascarpone mixture on top of the espresso-dampened ladyfingers. Dip 2 more lady finger halves, arranging them on top of the mascarpone, as before. Pipe one last layer of the mascarpone mixture on top of the lady fingers.
- Dust the top with cocoa powder and sprinkle with chocolate shavings. Refrigerate at least 1 hour until chilled or ready to serve.
Notes
Dip quickly: Ladyfingers soak fast, so a brief dip avoids sogginess.
Fold gently: Over-folding can deflate the whipped cream.
Chocolate shavings: Using a vegetable peeler, scrape the outside edge of a bar of semi-sweet chocolate.
Chill well: Resting time helps flavors meld and layers set.
Nutrition
With soft ladyfingers and mascarpone, along with a chocolate finish, tiramisu cheesecake mini trifles are a show-stopping dessert without the stress. They’re elegant enough for holiday gatherings yet easy enough to prepare ahead for casual occasions. Each spoonful balances sweetness, bitterness and creaminess in just the right way. From their café-style presentation to their indulgent flavor, these trifles bring a touch of sophistication to your dessert table.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
i need this mug..
This National Lampoon mug is from Amazon! You can get it here – https://amzn.to/3Zz2jOe
This recipe is so delicious! I made the non-alcoholic version (replace kalua with vanilla extract) and the family & friends loved it! I even shared the recipes with others as well. This will be my go dessert to bring to gatherings!
This might be my new favorite cheesecake. The flavor is so elegant!
OK these were delicious. Everyone loved them! So unusual too.
I cannot get over how cute these mugs are!!! The cheesecake sounds amazing too!
Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts! What a fun way to serve it- love that idea!
Not only are these cheesecakes so sweet and yummy, but they are also the perfect treat for holiday parties!
As an Italian, I’m very protective of tiramisu and the og recipe but since you stated is a cheesecake too I’m willing to give it a go, it sounds delicious
Oh my gosh, yum! What a fun dessert. And delicious!
I have to try these!