Tiramisu Bites

Ingredients:

• 12 slices (1/4 inch thick) frozen (thawed) pound cake (from 10 oz. package)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1-1/2 tsp instant coffee granules/crystals
• 1-1/2 tsp rum extract
• 1 container (8 oz) mascarpone cheese (found at Caputos)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1/2 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate
• 12 coffee beans (optional)
• 12 Cupcake paper cups

Directions:

Place paper cups in a muffin tin. Cut 1-1/2 inch rounds from each cake slice. PLace cake round in bottom of each cup.

In a small bowl, mix water, coffee granules, and 1/2 tsp of the rum extract. Drizzle 1/2 tsp of mixture over cake in each muffin cup. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, beat cheese, powdered sugar and remaining 1 tsp rum extract with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. In another medium bowl, beat whipping cream on high until soft peaks form. On low speed, beat cheese mixture into whipped cream. Sppon rounded tablespoons of whipped cream mixture into each cup, covering cake.

Grate semi-sweet chocolate over each cup. Top each with coffee bean if desired. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to blend flavors. Store covered in refrigerator.

*Recipe courtesy of Virginia Tomczak