If you love tiramisu but want something a little easier to snack on, I think you’ll really enjoy this Tiramisu Cookies Recipe. It’s like having all those wonderful tiramisu flavors tucked inside a soft, rich cookie—espresso, mascarpone, and cocoa come together in the most delightful way. I absolutely love how this turns out because it gives you the essence of tiramisu without the fuss of layering or chilling a traditional dessert.
When I first tried this recipe, I was so impressed by how perfectly the cookies balance sweet and coffee notes, plus the mascarpone cream adds a luxurious feel that makes these cookies feel truly special. Whether you’re making them for a cozy afternoon treat or an impressive dessert for guests, this Tiramisu Cookies Recipe brings something fresh and fun to the table. Plus, baking these feels like a little adventure with a guaranteed sweet reward!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy Tiramisu Flavor: You get all the signature coffee and mascarpone taste in cookie form—no layering required.
- Perfect Texture: Soft, chewy cookies topped with creamy mascarpone frosting, creating a delightful bite every time.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual snack or a fancy dessert, these cookies will impress and satisfy.
- Adaptable and Fun: Easy to customize with your favorite coffee strength or even cocoa variations for a personal twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here work beautifully together to recreate tiramisu’s complex flavors in cookie form. A good quality espresso powder and fresh mascarpone cheese make all the difference, so I recommend sourcing those with care for the best results.
- All-purpose flour: Helps give these cookies their tender but sturdy base.
- Instant espresso powder: Adds that bold coffee flavor without extra liquid.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Work together to lift and texture the cookies just right.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming and richness.
- Granulated sugar & brown sugar: The combo adds sweetness and a slight chewiness.
- Egg: Binds ingredients and helps with structure.
- Vanilla extract: Adds subtle warmth that complements coffee and mascarpone.
- Mascarpone cheese: The star of the cream topping—smooth, luxurious, and slightly tangy.
- Whipping cream: Whipped into the mascarpone to lighten the cream topping perfectly.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the mascarpone cream without grittiness.
- Cocoa powder: For dusting, to evoke classic tiramisu’s finale.
Variations
I like to play around with this Tiramisu Cookies Recipe depending on the mood or occasion. It’s flexible enough to handle tweaks, so feel free to personalize it to match your taste or dietary needs.
- Espresso Strength: Sometimes I bump up the espresso powder for a more intense coffee hit, especially if I’m serving coffee lovers.
- Chocolate Twist: Try mixing mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough for extra texture and richness—I’ve done this and my family goes crazy for it!
- Dairy-Free Version: Substitute mascarpone with coconut cream and use dairy-free butter to respect dietary restrictions, and still enjoy a creamy topping.
- Presentation Style: Instead of spreading the mascarpone cream, pipe it elegantly with a star tip for a fancier look.
How to Make Tiramisu Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—it makes cleanup so much easier! Then, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter until super creamy, then add both sugars and beat until fluffy. This step is key because it traps air, which helps your cookies get just the right texture. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Finally, add the dry mixture to the butter mixture on low speed and mix until just combined. Overmixing here can make the cookies tough, so watch the consistency carefully.
Step 2: Bake the Cookies
Using a 4-tablespoon cookie scoop (or a large spoon), portion out dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them well so they don’t merge as they spread. Pop them in the oven and bake for 11 to 12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are set but the centers still look soft. This is important because the cookies continue to set as they cool, keeping them nice and chewy inside. Let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. If you try to frost them while warm, the mascarpone cream might melt and run off.
Step 3: Make the Mascarpone Cream Topping
Beat the mascarpone cheese in a medium bowl just until creamy—don’t overbeat or it might become grainy. Then add the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, whipping on medium-high speed until thickened—this usually takes around five minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cream barely moves when you tilt the bowl. This texture is what gives the cookies their luscious, airy topping.
Step 4: Assemble and Dust
Use a cookie scoop or piping bag to dollop the mascarpone cream on each cooled cookie. I like to use a small offset spatula to swirl the cream for a rustic look, but piping adds a polished finish if you want to impress company. Finish by dusting a fine layer of cocoa powder over the cream using a small sieve—this little step nails the signature tiramisu look and flavor. It’s like putting the cherry on top of your effort.
Pro Tips for Making Tiramisu Cookies Recipe
- Soft Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is room temperature and soft enough to cream smoothly; cold butter will make mixing harder and affect cookie texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Take them out when edges are set but centers still look soft to keep that perfect chewy balance.
- Chill Your Mascarpone Cream: If the cream gets too loose while whipping, pop it into the fridge briefly to firm it up before topping cookies.
- Use Parchment Paper: It helps with spreading and prevents sticking—trust me, it saves you time and frustration.
How to Serve Tiramisu Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing these with a dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder—it immediately evokes classic tiramisu vibes and adds a slight bitter contrast to that creamy sweetness. Sometimes, I also sprinkle a few finely grated dark chocolate shavings for an extra touch of elegance and flavor. If you’re feeling fancy, a little espresso bean on top can look amazing and amplify the coffee note.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a strong cup of espresso or a velvety cappuccino to complement the coffee flavor. For a festive touch, a glass of dessert wine or sweet liqueur like amaretto works beautifully too. They’re also great served alongside fresh berries, which add a bright, fruity balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these cookies on tiered stands with little handwritten labels describing the flavor—guests love that personal touch. Another fun idea is to sandwich two cookies together with the mascarpone cream in the middle and then dust with cocoa powder for a tiramisu cookie sandwich. These presentation tweaks can easily make the dessert stand out at parties or holiday gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover tiramisu cookies in an airtight container in the fridge because the mascarpone cream is perishable. They stay fresh for up to 2-3 days this way. Bringing them to room temperature before serving helps bring back the softness and flavor.
Freezing
Because of the mascarpone topping, I usually freeze just the baked cookies without cream if I want to prep in advance. Once thawed, I re-whip the mascarpone cream and add it fresh before serving—this keeps everything tasting just as good as the day of baking.
Reheating
If you have refrigerated leftovers, let the cookies sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before eating. I don’t recommend reheating in the microwave, as mascarpone cream can separate or become runny. Freshly made cookies are best for optimum texture and flavor!
FAQs
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Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of espresso powder?
I wouldn’t recommend using brewed coffee directly because it adds liquid that could change the dough consistency. Instant espresso powder is concentrated and dry, giving you that rich coffee flavor without extra moisture, which keeps the cookie texture spot-on.
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How do I prevent the mascarpone cream from becoming runny?
The key is to beat the mascarpone just until creamy before adding whipping cream, and then whip the cream mixture until it thickens sufficiently. Also, chilling it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes once whipped helps set the cream, especially in warmer kitchens.
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Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cookies a day or two in advance and store them airtight at room temperature. I recommend adding the mascarpone cream topping the day you plan to serve them for the freshest taste and appearance.
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What if I can’t find mascarpone cheese?
Mascarpone is pretty essential for the authentic texture and flavor, but if you can’t find it, blending cream cheese with a bit of heavy cream can work as a substitute, though the flavor will be tangier and less silky.
Final Thoughts
I really hope you give this Tiramisu Cookies Recipe a try—it’s become one of my favorite ways to indulge my tiramisu cravings without all the fuss. It strikes the perfect balance of coffee, creamy mascarpone, and cocoa, and the cookies themselves are so soft and satisfying. Share them with friends or keep a batch around for yourself; either way, you’ll find this recipe easy to follow and delicious every single time. Baking these might just become your new go-to for dessert time!
PrintTiramisu Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
- Yield: 9 large cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Description
Delight in these luscious Tiramisu Cookies featuring a rich, espresso-infused cookie base topped with a creamy mascarpone and whipped cream blend and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder. Perfect for fans of the classic Italian dessert in a portable, bite-sized form.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 180 g all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 115 g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 50 g brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mascarpone Cream
- 200 g mascarpone cheese
- 100 g whipping cream
- 50 g powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside for the cookie dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir well and set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using an electric hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until very creamy. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly until smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Flour Mixture with Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet butter mixture on low speed and mix just until combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Scoop Cookie Dough: Use a 4-tablespoon cookie scooper to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each ball about 2-3 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 11 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set and lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Mascarpone Cream: In a medium bowl, beat mascarpone cheese with a hand mixer until creamy and loosened. Add the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract and whip until the mixture thickens and holds shape, about 5 minutes. The cream should barely move when the bowl is tilted.
- Assemble Cookies: Using a cookie scoop, dollop the mascarpone cream onto each cooled cookie. Spread the cream with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to create a swirl design. Alternatively, use a piping bag for a neater application.
- Finish with Cocoa Dusting: Dust the top of each frosted cookie evenly with cocoa powder using a fine mesh sieve for a classic tiramisu finish.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
- Do not overmix the cookie dough once the flour is added to maintain tenderness.
- Chill the cookies after baking if you prefer the mascarpone cream to be firmer before serving.
- The mascarpone cream is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to one day.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for the best flavor and presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
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