Tiramisu Cupcakes

Being Italian, one of my family's favorite desserts is Tiramisu.  While I do make it occasionally, I decided to make it in cupcake form for my husband's birthday and they were a HUGE hit!  My 95 year old grandmother was raving about them, so I decided to whip up another batch.  Yes! They're that easy!

Ingredients

Cupcake

   1 package white, yellow or vanilla cake mix (I used vanilla) + ingredients listed on box to make cake

Liquid Coffee Layer

   2/3 cup boiling water

   1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

   1 1/2 tablespoons instant coffee

Mascarpone Filling

   1 cup mascarpone cheese (cream cheese can be substituted)

   3 tablespoons Kahlua

   1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

   1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip

Frosting

   1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

   1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

   2 cups confectioners' sugar

   1 teaspoon vanilla extract

   chocolate shavings (to garnish)

Directions

Bake cupcakes according to directions on cake box.

When cupcakes have cooled, dissolve confectioners' sugar and instant coffee in boiling water.  Using a fork, pierce holes in cupcake. Brush coffee mixture onto cupcake, allowing it to soak into holes.

Beat mascarpone, Kaluha and condensed milk until smooth.  Fold in Cool Whip and transfer mixture into a piping bag.  Inject filling into center of cupcakes.

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Gradually add sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy.  Add vanilla.

You are now ready to frost!  I used a piping bag, but you can just frost with a knife if you'd like.  Garnish with chocolate shavings.

These are for you Nonie!