Tiramisu Cupcakes

Hey all!!

A week or so ago we had a conversation on Facebook (if you don't follow me there you should) about different flavors of cupcakes people wanted to eat.  We had everything from cherry filled chocolate to caramel filled, to ganache topped, to peanut butter frosted, to everything in between!  A few sounded quite delicious to me and I wanted to give them a try.  I am this infatuation with cupcakes.  I have no idea where it came from and, no, I don't see it stopping anytime soon.  I like individual portions of anything I guess, so that probably seeded it in my mind!

These cupcakes are quite simple, and quick.  They don't take many ingredients, and mascarpone cheese is so readily available now, that, that won't even be a problem.  You will need to LOVE coffee, and there are a couple of little steps but nothing that can't be handled by even a beginner.

Let's get started, on the cupcake version of one of my favorite desserts, shall we?

You will need:
White cake mix
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. espresso powder
1/2 cup water
8 oz.. mascarpone cheese
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3=4 T milk
toothpick
cocoa powder for chocolate snow!

Bake your cupcakes according to package directions.  While they are baking, in a small saucepan, combine water, granulated sugar and espresso powder.  Whisk together constantly and bring to a boil.  Once it has boiled remove from the heat and let cool.

When the simple syrup is cool, using a toothpick poke a few holes into each cupcake.  Then, using a pastry brush, brush the tops of the cupcakes.  Do this several times until all of your simple syrup has been used.  It will take about 20 minutes for the liquid to full soak into the cupcakes.  Let sit while you prepare your frosting!

In a bowl combine, mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla.  Mix until all combined, then start adding your milk.  You can continue beating, and stop adding milk when the icing has become your desired consistency. 

I piped my frosting on, you can do whatever makes  your toes curl.  Dust lightly with cocoa powder and there you have them.  DELISH!

You could even top these with a chocolate covered coffee bean!

ENJOY!

Ba