The creation of Tiramisu is disputed between Tuscany, Piedmont and Veneto. According to a Tuscan legend, Tiramisu was born in the seventeenth century in Siena by some confectioners who wanted to celebrate the arrival and the grandeur of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo de’ Medici. The tiramisu was called “Zuppa del Duca” (“Dukes’s soup) in honor of Cosimo de Medici. Also according to this legend, the Tiramisu became the favorite dessert from the nobles for his skills exciting and aphrodisiac, which is why this name that, in a metaphorical sense, can be translated with the phrase “Make me feel good”.
Another legend holds that the cake was invented by a pastry chef from Turin, in Piedmont, to honor Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, active in the unification of Italy. 
Both stories are, in turn, denied by another belief, that the Tiramisu comes from the tradition of the city of Treviso, in Veneto. In this region of Northern Italy, at one time, people gave an energetic sweet to children and elderly, called in the local dialect “El sbatudin”, prepared with beaten egg and sugar. An imaginative chef-confectioner, Loli Linguanotto added, as a result, mascarpone, savoiardi cookies (ladyfingers), cocoa and bitter coffee. Beyond the myths and powers, the Tiramisu is, without doubt, one of the most famous Italian desserts in the world.
A sweet so rich should be eaten in the colder months but in the summer it is possible to create a lighter but just as tasty dessert, mascarpone free.
These Tiramisu cups are a quick idea for a delicious dessert in a glass.
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Tiramisu Cups
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
The creation of Tiramisu is disputed between Tuscany, Piedmont and Veneto. Regardless of its origin, we love to eat it.
Ingredients
- 10 savoiardi cookies
- a glass of coffee
- 150 ml (F fl oz ) cream
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) light brown sugar (optional)
- Cocoa powder to taste
Instructions
- Soak the savoiardi cookies (ladyfingers) in the coffee and place a first layer on the bottom of the glass.
- Whip the cream, adding, if you like, a tbsp of light brown sugar and cover the cookies.
- Arrange another layer of Savoiardi and cream, finishing with a third layer if the size of the cup allows.
- Decorate with cocoa powder.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the historical origin of tiramisu and what did it originally taste like?
According to Tuscan legend described in the article, tiramisu was born in 17th-century Siena by confectioners celebrating the arrival of Grand Duke Cosimo de’ Medici, when it was called “Zuppa del Duca” (Duke’s soup). It became prized by nobles for its reputed exciting and aphrodisiac qualities — and the name tiramisu translates loosely as “make me feel better” or “lift me up.”
Does this version include mascarpone or raw eggs?
No — this simplified cup version uses only 5 ingredients: savoiardi (ladyfinger) cookies soaked in coffee, whipped cream (optionally sweetened with 1 tbsp of light brown sugar), and cocoa powder for dusting. There is no mascarpone or egg in the recipe, making it a lighter, quicker take on the classic.
