No-Bake Mascarpone and Espresso Trifle Cups

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Layered dessert cups combining mascarpone cream and espresso-soaked ladyfingers for an effortless yet flavorful treat. This Italian-inspired recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, layers mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 8 oz mascarpone cheese, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer, whip on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until soft peaks form and the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
  2. Step 2: Pour 3/4 cup cooled strong brewed espresso into a shallow dish. Quickly dip each of the 18 ladyfinger cookies into the espresso for about 1 second per side — do not soak — so they absorb flavor but remain firm.
  3. Step 3: In 6 clear dessert cups, layer soaked ladyfingers broken to fit the cup bottoms evenly. Spoon about 1/4 cup mascarpone cream over the ladyfingers in each cup. Repeat layers once more, finishing with a layer of mascarpone cream on top.
  4. Step 4: Dust the tops evenly with 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine sieve. Garnish each cup with a sprinkle of 2 tbsp dark chocolate shavings. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to let flavors meld.

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