Tiramisu Cookies Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it perfectly blends the rich, comforting flavors of espresso and cocoa with a hint of decadent creaminess from the mascarpone to create a cookie that tastes just like a mini tiramisu. Each bite feels like a warm hug, and it’s a surefire way to impress friends at any gathering with its sophisticated yet familiar taste.

I adore the blending of delicious elements that I am passionate about, such as coffee and chocolate, which make Tiramisu Cookies quite literally out of this world. With creamy mascarpone cheese, a hint of coffee liqueur, and the richness of cocoa powder, these cookies offer an experience you won’t get from any other cookie.

And the mini chocolate chips? Well, let’s just say they’re just not your average “chocolate chip.”

Ingredients

Butter, unsalted: Supplies the cookies with creaminess and rich flavor.

Sugar, in its granulated form, is the principal sweetener for the cookies and part of the reason that they spread the way they do.

Brown sugar contributes a moist texture and a whisper of caramel flavor.

All-Purpose Flour: Vital for the construction, supplying carbs.

Mascarpone Cheese: Delivers a rich creaminess and a sweet, tangy taste that is reminiscent of traditional tiramisu.

Espresso Powder, Instant: Yields cookies with a striking coffee taste.

Powdered Cocoa: Yields a rich chocolate flavor to pair with the coffee tones.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (optional)
• 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm while you prepare the two baking sheets that will hold your soon-to-be-baked goods. These sheets should be lined with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, beat the butter that has been softened, along with the granulated and brown sugars, until light and fluffy.

3. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition, and then blend in the vanilla extract.

4. In another bowl, mix and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, blending until just combined.

6. Carefully mix the mascarpone cheese, coffee liqueur (if using), instant espresso powder, and mini chocolate chips together until fully combined and uniformly distributed throughout the mixture.

7. Form the dough into balls about the size of tablespoons and set them on the baking sheets you’ve prepared, leaving enough room between each cookie for spreading.

8. Preheat the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the cookies are lightly golden.

9. Take the cookies out of the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets. After that, you can move them to a wire rack, giving them a chance to cool completely.

10. After they have cooled, dust the cookies generously with powdered sugar and cocoa powder before serving. Enjoy your cookies that taste like the Italian dessert tiramisu!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking sheets (2)
3. Parchment paper
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Medium mixing bowl
6. Electric mixer
7. Measuring cups
8. Measuring spoons
9. Spatula
10. Wire rack
11. Whisk
12. Tablespoon (for forming dough balls)
13. Sifter or fine sieve (for dusting powdered sugar and cocoa powder)

FAQ

• Can I substitute the mascarpone cheese with something else?Affirmative, you may employ cream cheese in the role of mascarpone cheese. While this may slightly change the flavor and texture, it should be noted that this is a situation in which right and “wrong” substitutions can be somewhat subjective.
• Is the coffee liqueur necessary?Optional: Coffee Liqueur. It enhances the flavor of the coffee, but you can exclude it or use a tablespoon of brewed coffee instead.
• Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?Certainly! It is entirely acceptable to prepare the dough beforehand and cool it for up to 48 hours. Allow the dough to warm slightly in the kitchen before you put it in the oven.
• How should I store Tiramisu cookies?Keep the cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for as long as 3 days; if you’re not going to eat them by then, put them in the fridge, where they will last for up to a week.
• Can I freeze these cookies? Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
• What should I do if the dough is too sticky?You can refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes, or add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it becomes manageable, if the dough is sticky.

Substitutions and Variations

1 cup butter, unsalted, softened: Substitute with 1 cup coconut oil or 1 cup vegan butter for a dairy-free option.
1 cup granulated sugar: Use 1 cup coconut sugar or 3/4 cup honey instead, but be aware that this might change the texture a little bit.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Substitute with 1 teaspoon almond extract or 1 vanilla bean (seeds scraped out).
1 cup mascarpone cheese: Substitute with 1 cup cream cheese or 1 cup ricotta cheese for a different texture and flavor.
1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (optional): For a non-alcoholic alternative, use 1 tablespoon brewed espresso or 1 tablespoon coffee extract.

Pro Tips

1. Chill the Dough For an even better texture, consider chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape and intensify the flavors.

2. Espresso Enhancement Dissolve the instant espresso powder in a tablespoon of hot water before adding it to the mixture. This will help distribute the coffee flavor more evenly throughout the dough.

3. Room Temperature Ingredients Ensure that all ingredients, especially butter, eggs, and mascarpone, are at room temperature before mixing. This helps them incorporate fully and results in a smoother and more uniform dough.

4. Liqueur Substitution If you choose not to use coffee liqueur, you can substitute it with a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract for added depth of flavor.

5. Monitor Baking Time To prevent overbaking, start checking the cookies at the 10-minute mark. The cookies should be set at the edges but still soft in the center, as they will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.