3 Desserts in cups: Super easy and fast

Hello friends of Paulina Cocina! Welcome to the wonderful world of dessert cups! Yes, those little edible luxuries that not only delight the palate, but also the eyes. Because, let's be honest, dessert cups : they're practical, eye-catching, and cute. Or are they?

Let's dive right into this universe: from the coolest names to call them (because yes, there are also trends in dessert names), to how to make quick and easy desserts in glasses , with tips and secrets that will save your life (and the day) when you have to improvise a dessert in record time .

So get ready to make the next dessert in just a few minutes, and for every taste. Spoiler alert: at the end, I'll leave you with three must-try dessert-in-glass recipes, along with a video explaining the entire step-by-step process. Let's go!

About Desserts in Cups

Desserts in cups aren't a new invention, but they are having their moment in the sun. At family gatherings, birthdays, weddings, and holiday parties , dessert cups are sure to steal the show.

And it makes sense: They're elegant , they're less messy, and they let you try several options guilt-free . Plus, they're ideal for those who don't want to commit to a giant slice of cake.

These little delicacies are also known as "sweet shots , "dessert shots," or "dessert cups ," depending on the container chosen. But be careful, the idea is for the presentation to be as attractive as the flavor, so it's important to choose a good glass or cup that allows you to see all the layers of the dessert.

Characteristics of desserts in glasses

• Individual portions: The best thing about dessert cups is that they are ready to serve , without the need for knives or fighting over the largest portion.
• Versatility: From a classic cheesecake in a glass to a deconstructed Italian tiramisu (!), the possibilities are endless.
• Flawless presentation: Because the cups are transparent, they allow the dessert's layers and colors to shine through. An Instagrammable achievement!
• Ideal for varied diets: They can be easily adapted to all preferences: gluten-free, vegan , sugar-free, etc.
• Zero waste: Each glass has just the right amount . There's no excess, no shortage, and everyone is happy.
• Visual impact: Even if they're simple, dessert cups are always tempting. Because everything is better with the eyes, right?

How to Make Quick and Easy Desserts in Cups: 3 Key Factors

Making desserts in cups isn't rocket science, but there are some key points that can make a difference.

1. Choose a suitable glass: Not too big, not too small. The idea is to make it easy to eat from and for each layer to stand out.
2. The assembly is important: It is always a good idea to start with a base ( crushed cookies, granola, vanilla or something crunchy ), then continue with a creamy layer (it can be chantilly cream , mascarpone or condensed milk ) and finish with something that adds texture or color, such as fresh fruit, sauces or grated chocolate .
3. The trick is in the layers . The more defined and colorful, the better. And for extra glamour, you can add details like mint leaves , cocoa powder , or even edible flowers . Long live creativity!

The duration of desserts in small glasses: Good things come in short…

The shelf life of desserts in cups depends on the ingredients used, but as a general rule, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a day , as long as they are tightly covered. If they contain fresh fruit , such as strawberries or kiwi, it's best to consume them within the first 12 hours to maintain their freshness.

Tip: If desserts in glasses aren't going to be served immediately, leave the final decorations (such as fruit, toppings, or cocoa powder) until the last minute . This will prevent them from getting soggy or losing their visual appeal.

8 Tips for Making the Best Dessert Cups

1. Choose fresh ingredients: The quality of the ingredients is noticeable, and in small portions, everything is magnified.
2. Playing with textures: Combining something creamy, something crunchy, and something fresh is key to balanced desserts in cups.
3. Use clear glasses: So the layers take center stage. No opaque glasses, please!
4. Refrigerate slightly: Although desserts in cups are quick to make, it's always best to refrigerate them a bit to firm up, especially if you use cream.
5. Decorate with style: A simple detail can transform a plain dessert into something spectacular. Mint leaves, berries, chocolate chips, or cocoa powder are perfect options for desserts in small glasses.
6. Try new combinations: You can incorporate unexpected flavors like lavender, passion fruit, and even cardamom for more unique desserts in small cups.
7. Keep the quantities just right: Allow 2 or 3 desserts in small cups per person if they're the only sweet on the table. No one wants to be left wanting!

Repeating ingredients: There are some key elements, such as whipped cream or a crispy base , that can be repeated in different desserts. So it's better to overcalculate some ingredients.

These desserts in cups are ideal for millennials. Don't know what a millennial is? Well, they're a generation defined by doing most of their activities online. Are these desserts in cups online? No, but they're quick and easy desserts that can be made in literally a few minutes, and you can upload a story to show off in the meantime!

Don't worry, my friend, stay calm, champ. With those desserts in little cups, look, you don't even need glasses and you'll definitely win. You can watch the full video here, and while you're at it, subscribe to YouTube like a true millennial by clicking here to access all the exclusive content.

About these 2 desserts in glasses

These are truly easy dessert , but besides that, they are two delicious options! The first is a Banoffee Cup, which has caramelized bananas, and well, I shouldn't have to say anything else after that. But it also has dulce de leche and whipped cream. It's a great mix of flavors and textures, all in a small cup. You can make it while the dessert is being prepared, or have the parts ready and assemble it later.

The second is a zabaglione cup. To this day, I still don't understand people who don't like zabaglione. But for those who enjoy it as much as I do, this dessert in cups will blow your mind! And if you thought you were going to have to spend thousands of hours in a double boiler to make zabaglione, I remind you that these desserts in cups are suitable for millennials with no time to waste. It's made in the microwave!!!

Go find her at the Ameian corner!

Greetings and until next

Juanita
Assistant

Dessert recipes in a glass!

Ingredients

Banoffee cup

• 200g of cream
• 1 CDA of sugar
• vanilla cookies
• 1 banana
• 50g of butter
• 3 tbsp sugar
• caramel sauce
• grated chocolate

sambayon cup

• 4 yolks
• 4 tbsp sugar
• 4 tbsp orange juice
• 200g of cream
• 1 CDA of sugar
• American cream ice cream
• walnuts

Recipe for 2 desserts in glasses

Banoffee Cup

1. Whip very cold cream with the sugar. If the cream is cold, it'll be ready in about 5 minutes of hand-whipping. The idea isn't to make it too whipped, but simply whip it until it's smooth (you can see it clearly in the video!)
2. Now we're going to crush the sweet biscuits in a mortar and pestle. If you don't have one, you can put them in a bag and pound them with a rolling pin. We don't want a powder, but rather a mixture of textures and sizes.
3. Peel the banana, cut it into slices, and that's it. I recommend using a firm, greenish banana; a ripe one will be a little tricky.
4. Place a pan over the heat and add the butter and sugar. The butter will melt and mix with the sugar. When it starts to brown, add the banana slices and caramelize them for a minute, no more!
5. Ready (yes, there are no more steps!) In a glass, we place a base of cookies, a little dulce de leche, caramelized banana, the cream on top, and decorate with grated chocolate. GLORIA! It makes about 2 or 3 glasses, depending on how much you want to fill each one.

Sambayón Cup

1. For the glorious microwave zabaglione, separate 4 eggs and reserve the 4 yolks. (With the whites, we can make a delicious meringue!)
2. Mix the egg yolks with the sugar and beat until pale. Add the liquid. It can be orange juice or some liquor, but it's important that it's present!
3. Mix everything together and microwave on full power for one minute. When it comes out, mix well and microwave for another minute at the same power. Now it's ready, and you'll see that it looks set. At that point, you have to breathe and trust me. Blend hard for a few seconds, and magic! Your zabaglione is ready!
4. Beat the cream with the sugar just like the previous glass and set aside.
5. To assemble: In a glass, place the zabaglione, a scoop of Chantilly cream ice cream, a little whipped cream, and top with walnuts! It's a true delicacy!

Tiramisu Cup

We can also prepare a tiramisu in a glass. To make this magnificent dessert, you can see the tiramisu recipe and follow the same procedure, but prepare it in a glass.

This is how my dessert in a glass turned out!

Recipe for 3 Christmas desserts in small glasses

Yields: 2 small glasses for each dessert

Preparation time: 15/20 minutes

Ingredients for the 3 desserts in small glasses 

Dessert in a cup 1: Key Lime Pie Cup

• ¼ Cup of crushed vanilla cookies (by hand)
• 2 tablespoons of condensed milk
• Juice and zest of 1 lime or lemon 
• 2 tablespoons of cream (whipped with 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar) (repeats)

Dessert in a glass 2: Pavlova Cup

• ¼ Cup of meringues
• 6 strawberries
• 2 tablespoons of cream (whipped with 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar)
• 8 Blueberries
• 1 tablespoon of red fruit jam

Dessert in a cup 3: Tiramisu Cup

• 5 or 6 Vanilla sponge cakes (sponge cake)
• 1 cup of sweetened coffee
• 3 tablespoons of mascarpone cheese 
• 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• Whipped cream with 1 tbsp of powdered sugar
• Cocoa powder for decoration

How to make desserts in cups step by step

For the Key Lime Pie cup

1. Place the crushed cookies at the bottom of the glass or cup.
2. Mix the condensed milk with the lime or lemon juice, mix well. 
3. Add the lemon and condensed milk mixture to the cookie base.
4. Add the 2 tablespoons of cream and sprinkle with lime or lemon zest.

For the Pavlova Cup

1. Place the meringue base at the bottom of a glass or cup.
2. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of whipped cream
3. Cut the strawberries into halves or quarters and place on top of the cream.
4. Add ½ of the whipped cream and decorate with the blueberries and red fruit jam.

For the Tiramisu Cup

1. Cover the vanilla wafers with whipped cream and decorate with cocoa powder when serving.
2. Moisten half of the vanilla wafers in the sweetened coffee .
3. Cut into pieces and place half of the vanilla wafers at the bottom of the glass or cup.
4. Mix the mascarpone cheese with the tablespoon of powdered sugar and vanilla extract and place on top of the vanilla wafers.
5. Add another layer of chopped vanilla beans soaked in coffee.