Tiramisu Cookies Recipe

Dreamy Tiramisu Cookies Recipe: A Bite-Sized Italian Delight

Sweet dreams come alive with these decadent tiramisu cookies that blend Italian dessert magic into crispy, coffee-infused delights.

Layers of mascarpone cream and delicate espresso notes dance across each perfectly baked treat.

Rich cocoa powder dusts the edges, creating an elegant contrast against the creamy backdrop.

Your kitchen will instantly smell like a charming Roman pasticceria, drawing everyone near with irresistible aromas.

Soft yet structured, these cookies capture the essence of the classic tiramisu in a handheld format.

Chocolate and coffee lovers will find themselves enchanted by these remarkable little morsels.

Bake a batch and watch how quickly they disappear from the plate.

Why Tiramisu Cookies Bring Dessert Energy

  • Quick Coffee Dessert Hack: These tiramisu cookies deliver the classic Italian dessert's rich flavors in a handheld, bite-sized treat that transforms traditional tiramisu into an easy-to-enjoy cookie format.
  • Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: With just 30 minutes of chilling time and simple ingredients, home bakers can whip up these sophisticated cookies without spending hours in the kitchen, making gourmet desserts accessible to everyone.
  • Coffee Lover's Dream: Packed with espresso powder and perfect for pairing with coffee, these cookies bring an authentic cafe experience right to your home, satisfying coffee and dessert cravings in one delightful bite.
  • Family-Friendly Baking Project: The recipe offers fun steps like filling cookies and dusting with cocoa powder, making it an engaging activity for kids and adults to create together, turning baking into a sweet bonding experience.

All the Essentials for Coffee-Flavored Cookies

Cookie Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create soft cookie texture.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provide sweetness and help with cookie caramelization.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure to the cookie.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie structure and provides basic texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
  • Espresso Powder: Adds deep coffee flavor characteristic of tiramisu.
  • Cinnamon: Introduces warm, aromatic notes reminiscent of tiramisu.
  • White Chocolate Chips: Optional ingredient for extra richness and sweetness.
Filling and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Mascarpone Cheese: Classic tiramisu ingredient that provides creamy, smooth filling.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens mascarpone filling and creates smooth consistency.
  • Cocoa Powder: Traditional tiramisu topping for dusting and classic flavor.

Baking Instructions With a Tiramisu Twist

Step 1: Craft Creamy Cookie Dough

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and whip butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Splash in egg and vanilla extract, blending until silky smooth.

In a separate bowl, combine:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Espresso powder
  • Ground cinnamon

Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. If desired, sprinkle white chocolate chips throughout the dough. Tuck the mixture into the refrigerator for a 30-minute flavor-enhancing chill.

Step 2: Prepare Luscious Mascarpone Filling

In a small bowl, whisk together:
  • Creamy mascarpone cheese
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract

Blend until silky and smooth. Park the filling in the refrigerator until cookie assembly time.

Step 3: Shape and Bake Delightful Cookies

Fire up the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Scoop out tablespoon-sized dough balls. Gently flatten each one and nestle a small dollop of mascarpone filling in the center. Top with another piece of dough, carefully sealing the edges to create a delicious pocket.

Slide the cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for set edges and soft centers – the perfect cookie sweet spot!

Step 4: Dust and Delight

Allow cookies to cool for five minutes. Dust the tops with a gentle shower of cocoa powder. Serve alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a tall glass of milk for the ultimate taste experience.

Tips for Getting the Layers Just Right

  • Master Chilling Technique: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes to develop deeper flavors and create a more stable texture, preventing spread during baking.
  • Prevent Filling Leakage: Seal cookie edges carefully and pinch gently to ensure mascarpone filling stays contained during baking, avoiding messy spills.
  • Balance Espresso Intensity: Adjust espresso powder quantity based on personal preference – use less for mild coffee notes or more for bold, robust flavor profile.
  • Create Uniform Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to measure dough consistently, ensuring even baking and professional-looking results.
  • Cocoa Dusting Pro Tip: Sift cocoa powder gently over cooled cookies for an elegant, light coating that enhances visual appeal and adds classic tiramisu touch.

Store Cookies With Texture Intact

  • Preserve your delectable tiramisu cookies with care.
  • Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
  • Refrigeration is possible for extended freshness, keeping them crisp and delicious for 5-7 days.
  • Want to save them longer? Freeze the baked cookies in a sealed freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw at room temperature for the best taste and texture when you're ready to enjoy these indulgent treats again.

What to Enjoy Alongside These Treats

  • Brew Bold Coffee Companion: Pair these tiramisu cookies with a robust espresso or strong Italian coffee to enhance the rich espresso notes within the cookie, creating a perfect harmony of flavors that echoes the classic tiramisu dessert.
  • Creamy Milk Complement: Serve alongside a cold glass of whole milk to balance the intense coffee and chocolate undertones, providing a smooth and refreshing contrast that mellows the cookie's deep flavors.
  • Sweet Liqueur Twist: Elevate the experience with a small glass of amaretto or marsala wine, which will highlight the dessert's Italian roots and add a sophisticated adult dimension to the cookie's delicate mascarpone filling.
  • Dessert Wine Decadence: Match with a sweet Vin Santo or Port wine, allowing the cookie's complex flavors to dance with the wine's rich, sweet profile, creating a luxurious tasting moment that celebrates Italian culinary tradition.
  • Chocolate Coffee Dream: Replace white chocolate chips with dark chocolate chips and add a tablespoon of strong cold brew coffee to the dough for an intense mocha flavor profile.
  • Nutty Italian Embrace: Fold chopped toasted hazelnuts into the cookie dough and sprinkle ground almonds on top before baking for a rich, crunchy texture that complements the mascarpone filling.
  • Liqueur-Infused Indulgence: Mix a splash of Marsala wine or Kahlúa into the mascarpone filling to create an adult version of the classic tiramisu cookies with a subtle boozy undertone.
  • Seasonal Berry Fusion: Add a small dollop of raspberry or strawberry preserves alongside the mascarpone filling to introduce a fruity contrast to the coffee and chocolate notes.

Questions About This Sweet Fusion Treat

  • What makes these Tiramisu Cookies different from traditional tiramisu?

These cookies capture the classic tiramisu flavors with espresso powder, cinnamon, and mascarpone filling, but in a convenient, handheld cookie form that’s perfect for on-the-go dessert lovers.

  • Can I skip the espresso powder if I don't like coffee flavor?

While espresso powder is key to the authentic tiramisu taste, you can reduce the amount or substitute with a mild instant coffee for a lighter coffee hint.

  • How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for set edges and slightly soft centers. They might seem slightly underbaked, but they’ll firm up as they cool, ensuring a soft, tender texture that mimics the creamy nature of traditional tiramisu.

  • Is the mascarpone filling difficult to work with?

Not at all! The mascarpone filling is simple to prepare and stays creamy when chilled. Just mix it until smooth and keep it cold before assembling the cookies for the best results.

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Tiramisu Cookies Recipe

Tiramisu Cookies Recipe


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4.5 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Homemade tiramisu cookies blend classic Italian dessert charm with irresistible cookie magic. Rich espresso-soaked layers and creamy mascarpone create a delightful sweet treat you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Cookies Base Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Tiramisu Flavor Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Optional Sweetness and Creaminess Ingredients:

  • ½ cup white chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (120g) mascarpone cheese
  • ¼ cup (30g) powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Craft the rich, aromatic cookie base by creaming butter with both brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until the mixture becomes silky and uniform.
  2. Prepare the dry ingredients separately, whisking together flour, baking powder, salt, espresso powder, and cinnamon to ensure even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
  3. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a harmonious dough. If desired, fold in white chocolate chips for additional texture and sweetness.
  4. Refrigerate the dough for half an hour, allowing flavors to meld and the texture to firm up, which will help create a more structured cookie.
  5. While the dough chills, prepare the luxurious mascarpone filling by blending mascarpone cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate the filling to maintain its consistency.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for perfect cookie formation.
  7. Portion the chilled dough into small rounds, creating a shallow indentation in the center of each. Carefully spoon the mascarpone filling into these pockets.
  8. Delicately cover the filled centers with another layer of dough, pinching and sealing the edges to create a complete cookie sandwich.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden edges and soft centers that indicate perfect doneness.
  10. Allow cookies to cool slightly, then dust generously with cocoa powder, creating an elegant finish reminiscent of traditional tiramisu.
  11. Serve alongside a rich espresso or cold milk, celebrating the decadent fusion of classic Italian dessert and cookie craftsmanship.

Notes

  • Chill dough thoroughly to develop deeper coffee and caramel undertones, enhancing the tiramisu-inspired flavor profile.
  • Use room temperature mascarpone for smoother, more spreadable filling that integrates seamlessly into cookie centers.
  • Experiment with dark chocolate chips instead of white for a more traditional tiramisu taste, adding richness and complexity.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend, maintaining the cookie’s delicate texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 133
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 70mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 17g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 1.5g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg
James Mitchell

James Mitchell

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Creation and Testing​, Fusion Cuisine​, Food Styling and Photography​, Culinary Education​

Education

Kendall College, Chicago, IL

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classic and modern cooking techniques, with a specialization in international cuisines.​

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Advanced Certificate in Gastronomy
  • Focus: In-depth studies of global food cultures, flavor profiling, and innovative recipe development.​

James Mitchell is the founder and fearless flavor explorer at Cooking Crusade. With a degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College and advanced training in global gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of America, James has spent over a decade perfecting the art of recipe creation. 

His background includes fine dining, private cheffing, and food styling, but his true joy comes from turning big ideas into doable recipes for home cooks. Every dish he shares is a mix of creativity, culture, and a little kitchen magic, built to bring excitement back to everyday meals.

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