Tiramisu Cookies Recipe

There’s something truly nostalgic and comforting about recreating a classic dessert in cookie form, and these Tiramisu Cookies are the best kind of magic. Inspired by my love for traditional tiramisu, this recipe brings together rich espresso, velvety mascarpone, and that irresistible cocoa finish—all wrapped up in a soft, chewy cookie that’s just right for sharing (or not!). Whether it’s a cozy weekend bake, a holiday gathering, or a little afternoon pick-me-up, these Tiramisu Cookies never fail to impress with their bold coffee flavor and delicate sweetness.

The best part? Unlike classic tiramisu, there's no waiting around—these Tiramisu Cookies are ready in under an hour and taste like a little bite of Italy every time. If you love coffee desserts, these Tiramisu Cookies are about to become your new favorite go-to.

Why Tiramisu Cookies Are Taking Over Dessert Tables

The charm of Tiramisu Cookies lies in how effortlessly they bring Italy’s most beloved dessert into your everyday baking. Inspired by the growing love for tiramisu-inspired treats, these espresso-kissed cookies are perfect whether you're savoring one with your morning coffee, planning a dinner party, or wrapping them up as a thoughtful homemade gift. What makes this Tiramisu Cookies recipe truly special is how it delivers all the dreamy flavors of classic tiramisu—the bold coffee, creamy richness, and delicate cocoa dusting—without the fuss of layering or special equipment.

They're elegant enough for celebrations but simple enough for a cozy night in. I love pairing these Tiramisu Cookies with a fresh shot of espresso for that true Italian café moment, but they’re just as incredible served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or nestled into a cookie platter alongside other homemade favorites.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Health Benefits and Serving Suggestions
• Essential Equipment
• Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
• The Secret That Makes These Tiramisu Cookies Unforgettable
• FAQ
• Related
• Pairing
• Irresistible Tiramisu Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cookie Base:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Unsalted butter, softened
• Granulated sugar
• Packed brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Instant espresso powder
• Coffee liqueur (or strong brewed coffee)

For the Mascarpone Filling:

• Mascarpone cheese, softened
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Heavy cream

For Finishing:

• Unsweetened cocoa powder for dusting
• Optional: finely chopped dark chocolate

Smart Substitutions:

• Gluten-free option: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour
• Dairy-free alternative: Use vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese instead of mascarpone
• Alcohol-free version: Substitute coffee liqueur with an extra tablespoon of strong brewed coffee plus ½ teaspoon vanilla
• Decaf option: Use decaffeinated instant coffee powder for those sensitive to caffeine

The instant espresso powder is crucial for achieving that authentic coffee flavor – don't skip it! If you can't find instant espresso, finely ground espresso beans work in a pinch, though the texture will be slightly different.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prep and Mix Dry Ingredients

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
3. In a small cup, dissolve the instant espresso powder in the coffee liqueur (or strong coffee), stirring until completely smooth. This coffee mixture is what gives these cookies their signature tiramisu flavor.

Create the Cookie Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy – this usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. The creaming process is important for creating the right texture in your final cookies.
2. Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
3. Mix in the vanilla extract and your prepared coffee mixture. The dough should smell wonderfully aromatic at this point.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don't overmix – this can make your cookies tough instead of tender. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.

Shape and Bake the Cookies

1. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. These cookies will spread during baking, so give them room.
2. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden. The centers should still look slightly soft – they'll continue cooking on the hot pan after you remove them from the oven.
3. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare Filling and Assemble

1. While your cookies cool, prepare the creamy filling. In a medium bowl, beat the softened mascarpone cheese until smooth.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. This filling mimics the creamy layer in traditional tiramisu.
3. Once cookies are completely cool, you can either sandwich pairs together with the mascarpone filling or pipe a dollop on top of each cookie. For sandwich-style cookies, spread about a tablespoon of filling on the flat side of one cookie and top with another.
4. Finish by dusting with unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine-mesh sieve. For extra indulgence, sprinkle with finely chopped dark chocolate.

Professional Hints and Tips

Here's a game-changing tip that will take your tiramisu cookies to the next level: chill your cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent excessive spreading and gives you cookies with better shape and texture. The slight rest also allows the coffee flavors to meld beautifully throughout the dough.

For the most authentic flavor, use high-quality instant espresso powder rather than regular instant coffee. The difference in taste is remarkable and really makes these cookies shine. If you're feeling adventurous, try adding a tiny pinch of sea salt to your mascarpone filling – it brings out the coffee notes beautifully.

Health Benefits and Serving Suggestions

While these are definitely indulgent treats, they do offer some surprising benefits. The espresso provides antioxidants and a gentle energy boost, while mascarpone contributes protein and calcium. These coffee mascarpone cookies are also portion-controlled, making it easier to enjoy a sweet treat without overdoing it.

These cookies are perfect for entertaining – they're elegant enough for dinner parties yet approachable for casual gatherings. Serve them alongside other espresso dessert recipes for a themed dessert table, or pair with fresh berries for a lighter finish to a heavy meal.

For beverage pairings, these naturally complement coffee drinks, but they're also delicious with dessert wines, port, or even a glass of cold milk for a comforting combination.

Creative Variations and Substitutions

The beauty of this tiramisu cookie recipe lies in its adaptability. For tiramisu snowball cookies, roll the finished cookies in powdered sugar before the cocoa dusting. To create tiramisu with biscoff cookies, add crushed Biscoff cookies to your dough for extra crunch and spiced flavor.

For a no bake tiramisu cookies version, skip the baking step and form the dough into balls, then chill until firm. These work wonderfully as a quick dessert when you're short on time.

Try making tiramisu thumbprint cookies by pressing an indent into each cookie before baking, then filling with mascarpone mixture after cooling. For mocha dessert cookies, add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to your dry ingredients.

During the holidays, these make wonderful holiday tiramisu dessert options. Shape them into festive forms or add seasonal spices like a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.

Essential Equipment

A good cookie scoop is invaluable for creating evenly sized cookies that bake uniformly. If you don't have one, a regular tablespoon works, but try to keep portions consistent for best results.

A stand mixer makes creaming the butter and sugar much easier, but a hand mixer works perfectly fine too. For the mascarpone filling, either type of mixer will work well.

Parchment paper is really important for these cookies since they contain butter and can stick to unlined pans. Silicone baking mats work as an alternative if you have them.

A fine-mesh sieve is perfect for dusting the finished cookies with cocoa powder, giving them that professional bakery appearance.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Store your finished tiramisu cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you've made sandwich cookies with mascarpone filling, keep them refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for best quality and food safety.

The unfilled cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just place them in freezer-safe containers with parchment between layers. Thaw at room temperature and add fresh mascarpone filling when ready to serve.

You can also freeze the cookie dough! Scoop it into portions, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

For the mascarpone filling, it's best made fresh, but it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days if covered tightly.

FAQ

Why These Tiramisu Cookies Deserve a Spot in Your Baking Hall of Fame

These Tiramisu Cookies aren’t just another cookie recipe—they’re a little bite of warmth, elegance, and togetherness. With their rich espresso aroma, creamy mascarpone heart, and dusting of cocoa, they turn a simple moment into something memorable. Whether you’re baking for a cozy coffee date or putting together a stunning dessert platter, these cookies never fail to impress.

If you’re as in love with dessert mashups as I am, you’ll also adore my decadent Tiramisu Brownies or the fruit-forward charm of Blueberry Pie Cookies—both are perfect companions to these dreamy bites. Bake a batch, share the love, and let your kitchen be the place where sweet memories are made.

Related

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Tiramisu Cookies recipe: