Tiramisu Cupcakes

This small-batch recipe was adapted from Pretty Simple Sweet's Tiramisu Cupcakes.

makes 6 cupcakes  |  difficulty level: medium

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cupcakes:

• 1/2 cup + 5 tbsp. flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. espresso powder
• Pinch salt
• 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 cup whole milk

coffee syrup:

• 2 tbsp. hot water
• 1/2 tsp espresso powder
• 1  1/2 tbsp. sugar

frosting:

• 4 oz. mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp. espresso powder
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• 2-3 tbsp. half and half or heavy cream
• cocoa powder for sprinkling

1. Preheat oven to 350º F and line a 6-cup cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, espresso powder and salt.
3. In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract. Reduce mixer speed to low and add half of the dry ingredients, beating just until combined. Add milk and beat until combined. Add the other half of the dry ingredients and beat slowly only until combined. Do not over mix—the less you mix, the lighter the cupcakes will be.
4. Divide batter evenly between cups, filling about ¾ full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow pan to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove cupcakes and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
5. To make the soaking syrup: Mix the coffee/espresso powder and sugar in hot water and mix until dissolved, then add liqueur. Allow to cool.
6. While cupcakes are still warm, poke the tops with a fork or toothpick a few times. Brush with coffee syrup, allowing it to soak in. Use all the syrup evenly over cupcakes.
7. To make the frosting: Using an electric mixer, beat the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, espresso powder, vanilla until just combined. Add half and half until the frosting has reached desired thickness. Frost cupcakes and serve!