If you’re craving the luxurious flavors of Italian dessert with the convenience of a handheld treat, you’ve got to try this Tiramisu Cookies Recipe. These cookies capture the essence of tiramisu—rich espresso, creamy mascarpone, and a dusting of cocoa—all wrapped up in a soft, buttery cookie that melts in your mouth. It’s a delightful way to enjoy all those wonderful tiramisu flavors without the fuss of slicing or assembling layers, making it a perfect treat to share or keep all to yourself!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple yet impactful, each ingredient in this Tiramisu Cookies Recipe plays a key role in creating the balance of flavors and textures that make these treats unforgettable. From the creamy mascarpone adding moisture and richness, to the espresso powder bringing that signature coffee kick, every element is essential.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the soft and tender base of the cookie dough.
- Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a light texture.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and a melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough without overpowering.
- Large egg: Binds the dough together and adds a subtle richness.
- Instant espresso powder (or strong brewed coffee): Imparts that classic tiramisu coffee flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
- Mascarpone cheese, softened: The star ingredient that creates a creamy tender crumb.
- Cocoa powder (unsweetened): For dusting and a hint of chocolate bitterness on top.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cocoa dusting and adds a delicate finish.
How to Make Tiramisu Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This dry mix will provide the structure for your cookies without weighing them down.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, blend the softened butter with granulated sugar until creamy. Add the egg, espresso powder or brewed coffee, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to infuse flavors uniformly.
Step 4: Add Mascarpone Cheese
Stir in softened mascarpone cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step is crucial—mascarpone adds moisture and that special tiramisu tang so important to the final cookie.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix just until combined so the dough remains soft and tender, but not overly sticky—perfect for shaping.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each. Gently flatten each dough ball slightly with the back of a spoon to help them bake evenly.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden edges and soft centers. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 8: Add the Finishing Touch
Mix cocoa powder and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Once the cookies have cooled completely, sift this cocoa mixture over the tops for an elegant, delicate dusting that channels classic tiramisu flair.
How to Serve Tiramisu Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are stunning dusted simply with cocoa and powdered sugar, but fresh raspberries or a light drizzle of chocolate ganache bring a lovely decorative and flavor boost that’ll wow your guests.
Side Dishes
Pair your Tiramisu Cookies with a steaming cup of coffee, espresso, or even a creamy latte to complement the espresso notes. A scoop of vanilla gelato or chilled mascarpone cream also makes a decadent accompaniment.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies into a layered mini tiramisu-inspired “cake” or serve them alongside small glasses of coffee or dessert wine for an elegant dessert platter. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with a ribbon also makes a thoughtful homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Tiramisu Cookies fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps them soft and flavorful so you can enjoy that fresh-baked experience even later.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked dough balls or fully baked cookies. For dough, pop them into an airtight container or freezer bag for up to one month. For baked cookies, layer with parchment paper in an airtight container to avoid sticking and freeze for up to two months.
Reheating
Enjoy frozen baked cookies at room temperature or gently warm them in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for 5 minutes to refresh their softness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the cookies chewy.
FAQs
Can I use brewed coffee instead of espresso powder?
Absolutely! Strong brewed coffee works perfectly if you don’t have espresso powder on hand. Just ensure it’s cooled before mixing to keep your dough consistent.
What if I don’t have mascarpone cheese?
You can substitute mascarpone with cream cheese softened to room temperature, though mascarpone gives that signature creamy texture and mild tang essential to the tiramisu profile.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as is. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends to create a similar texture if needed.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
While this recipe includes butter, egg, and mascarpone, you could try vegan butter and a flax egg substitute, but mascarpone replacement will be tricky. The flavor and texture might differ noticeably.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should turn golden while the centers remain soft but set. Remember, they continue to firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking to keep them tender.
Final Thoughts
This Tiramisu Cookies Recipe is a wonderful way to bring a little slice of Italy into your kitchen with minimal effort. The balance of espresso, creamy mascarpone, and cocoa makes each bite feel like a special occasion. I can’t wait for you to try making these yourself—they’re sure to become a favorite go-to dessert when you want something sweet, sophisticated, and utterly comforting.
Print
Tiramisu Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Tiramisu Cookies combine the rich flavors of classic tiramisu into a soft, delicate cookie. Infused with espresso and mascarpone, and topped with a dusting of cocoa powder and powdered sugar, they offer a delightful coffee-flavored treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder (or strong brewed coffee)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese, softened
Topping
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside to be incorporated later.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until creamy. Then add in the large egg, instant espresso powder (or strong brewed coffee), and vanilla extract, mixing well until fully combined.
- Add Mascarpone: Stir in the softened mascarpone cheese into the wet mixture until smooth and creamy, which adds moisture and richness to the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. The dough should be soft but not overly sticky.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Flatten each dough ball slightly using the back of a spoon.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set but still soft to the touch. Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool fully before adding the topping to prevent melting.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and powdered sugar. Once the cookies are completely cool, sift this mixture lightly over the tops of the cookies for a classic tiramisu look and flavor.
- Serve and Store: Enjoy these tiramisu cookies immediately, or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Ensure mascarpone cheese is softened to blend smoothly into the dough.
- If you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, increase the espresso powder or use concentrated brewed coffee.
- Cookies should be soft in the center when taken out of the oven; they will firm up as they cool.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, adjusting as needed.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 3 days.
