Limoncello Tiramisu Cups (Printable Version)

Light mascarpone cream layered with limoncello-soaked ladyfingers and fresh lemon zest, chilled to perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cream Layer

01 - 1 cup mascarpone cheese, chilled
02 - 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream, cold
03 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
04 - Zest of 1 lemon
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Limoncello Syrup

06 - 1/2 cup limoncello liqueur
07 - 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
08 - 1/4 cup water
09 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

→ Base and Assembly

10 - 18 ladyfinger biscuits (savoiardi), approximately 5 ounces
11 - Lemon zest for garnish
12 - Fresh mint leaves for garnish, optional

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a small bowl, combine limoncello, lemon juice, water, and granulated sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves completely. Set aside.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whip the cold heavy cream with sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Gently fold in the chilled mascarpone and lemon zest until smooth and creamy, being careful not to overmix.
03 - Break each ladyfinger into 2 to 3 pieces to fit your serving glasses. Quickly dip ladyfingers one at a time into the limoncello syrup, using a brief dip rather than soaking them.
04 - Layer the bottom of each 8-fluid-ounce serving glass with dipped ladyfinger pieces. Spoon a generous layer of mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers.
05 - Add another layer of syrup-dipped ladyfingers to each glass, then finish with a final layer of mascarpone cream.
06 - Cover each cup and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the dessert to set and chill completely.
07 - Just before serving, garnish each cup with extra lemon zest and fresh mint leaves if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • No baking required—perfect for warm weather when you don't want to turn on the oven
  • Make-ahead friendly, ideal for stress-free entertaining
  • Individual portions make serving elegant and effortless
  • Bright lemon flavor offers a refreshing alternative to traditional tiramisu
  • Easy enough for beginners, impressive enough for special occasions
02 -
  • Use high-quality limoncello for the best flavor—artisanal varieties make a noticeable difference
  • Zest the lemon before juicing to make the process easier and cleaner
  • These cups can be prepared up to 1 day in advance, making them perfect for stress-free entertaining
  • For clean layers, use a piping bag to add the mascarpone cream, or carefully spoon it and smooth with the back of a spoon
  • Check ladyfinger packages for allergen information, as brands vary in ingredients and potential cross-contamination
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