Irresistible Soft Tiramisu Cookies: Your Favorite Italian Dessert in Every Bite
Indulge in the luscious flavors of Italy with these incredible Soft Tiramisu Cookies. Imagine thick, chewy coffee-infused cookies, generously topped with a velvety, creamy mascarpone frosting, and elegantly dusted with rich cocoa powder. These aren’t just cookies; they’re a delightful reinterpretation of your beloved classic Italian tiramisu, designed to be easier to make and perfect for any occasion.
Tiramisu, the iconic Italian dessert, traditionally features delicate layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, rich mascarpone cream, eggs, sugar, and a dusting of cocoa. While undeniably delicious, it can be a time-consuming endeavor. Our soft tiramisu cookies offer all the beloved flavors – the deep coffee, the sweet creamy mascarpone, and the hint of cocoa – transformed into a delightfully chewy cookie that’s much simpler to prepare and serve. They capture the essence of the classic dessert without the fuss of complex layering.
Why These Tiramisu Cookies Will Become Your New Favorite
These soft and chewy tiramisu cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they are an experience. Here’s why you’ll absolutely fall in love with them:
- Uniquely Delicious: While many cookies grace our dessert tables, very few incorporate the luxurious taste of mascarpone cheese. These cookies stand out with their distinct tiramisu profile, offering a sophisticated flavor that sets them apart from typical cookie recipes. The combination of coffee, rich mascarpone, and cocoa creates a truly memorable bite.
- Surprisingly Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet appeal, these tiramisu cookies are incredibly straightforward to prepare. Most of the cookie ingredients are pantry staples, meaning you can whip up a batch without a special trip to the store. The recipe guides you through each step, ensuring a delicious result even for novice bakers.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, contributing to a bake sale, or simply craving a special homemade dessert, these cookies are an ideal choice. Their exquisite taste is matched by their elegant appearance. The simple dusting of cocoa powder adds a touch of sophistication, and for an extra flourish, you can add delicate chocolate shavings, making them look as impressive as they taste.
- A Taste of Italy in Cookie Form: If you adore the deep, rich flavors of traditional Italian tiramisu but prefer the convenience of a cookie, this recipe is a dream come true. You get all the beloved notes of coffee, creamy cheese, and chocolate in a handheld, portion-controlled dessert.
Key Ingredients for Your Soft Tiramisu Cookies
Crafting the perfect soft tiramisu cookie requires a selection of quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential:
For the Irresistible Coffee Cookies:
- Butter: Always opt for real butter for the best flavor and texture. Ensure it’s perfectly softened to room temperature before mixing. This allows it to cream properly with the sugars, creating a light and airy dough.
- Sugars: A combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar is used. Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel note, contributing to the cookies’ chewiness. Light brown sugar is standard, but dark brown sugar can be used for a richer, deeper flavor profile. Granulated sugar provides the foundational sweetness and helps with spread and crisp edges.
- Egg: A single large egg acts as a crucial binder, holding all the ingredients together and adding richness to the cookie dough. Ensure it’s also at room temperature for optimal emulsification.
- Vanilla Extract: High-quality vanilla extract is paramount here. It elevates all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic depth that complements both the coffee and mascarpone beautifully. Don’t skimp on this!
- Instant Espresso Powder: This is where the magic of “tiramisu” truly begins in the cookie itself. Just a tiny amount infuses the cookies with a deep, robust coffee flavor. If you prefer the other elements of tiramisu but not the coffee intensity, you can reduce the amount or omit it entirely, though it truly makes these cookies special.
- Heavy Cream or Milk: This liquid addition ensures the cookies remain tender and soft. Heavy cream will result in a richer, more luxurious cookie, while any type of milk (whole, 2%, or even almond milk) will provide the necessary moisture.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of your cookies. Measure it correctly (preferably by weight or by spooning into a measuring cup and leveling) to avoid dense cookies.
- Baking Powder: Our leavening agent! This helps the cookies rise and become delightfully soft and airy. Always check that your baking powder isn’t old or expired, as its effectiveness diminishes over time.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the cookie dough.
For the Creamy Tiramisu Frosting:
- Mascarpone Cheese: The star of the frosting! Mascarpone, an Italian cream cheese, provides the authentic, slightly sweet, and incredibly rich flavor that defines tiramisu. It’s crucial to soften it before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free frosting. If you can’t find mascarpone, cream cheese can be a substitute, but be aware it’s tangier, so you might need to adjust powdered sugar to taste.
- Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): This fine sugar provides sweetness and creates a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture for the frosting. You can adjust the quantity to suit your preference for sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Just like in the cookies, a good quality vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the frosting, adding a lovely aroma and depth.
- Heavy Cream: This helps achieve the desired consistency for your frosting. Add it gradually; more cream will result in a silkier, thinner frosting, while less will make it thicker and more suitable for piping intricate designs.
For the Classic Tiramisu Dusting:
- Cocoa Powder: A light dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder is the iconic finish for tiramisu. It provides a beautiful visual contrast and a slight bitterness that perfectly cuts through the sweetness of the frosting. Using a fine mesh duster will help achieve an even, delicate layer.
- Finely Grated Dark Chocolate (Optional): For an extra touch of decadence and visual appeal, sprinkle a little finely grated dark chocolate on top. It’s completely optional, but for true chocolate lovers, it’s a fantastic addition that elevates the cookie even further.
How to Bake Your Perfect Soft Tiramisu Cookies
Creating these delightful tiramisu cookies is a rewarding process. While the full, detailed recipe instructions are provided below, here are some essential tips and a general overview to help you achieve perfect results every time:
Baking the Coffee Cookies
Step 1: Creaming Butter and Sugars. Begin by creaming the softened butter with both brown and granulated sugars. This step is more important than you might think! Spend a generous 2-3 minutes beating them together until the mixture is visibly light and fluffy. This incorporates air, which contributes to the soft texture of the finished cookies. Continue to beat for another 2-3 minutes after incorporating the egg and vanilla extract, ensuring everything is well combined and aerated.
Step 2: Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures they are evenly distributed before being added to the wet mixture. Once you introduce the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture, mix only until just combined. Overmixing at this stage can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough, dense cookies instead of the desired soft and chewy texture.
Step 3: Portioning and Baking. For uniform size and even baking, a cookie scoop is your best friend! It helps ensure all your cookies are the same shape and cook at the same rate. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; this prevents sticking, promotes even baking, and makes cleanup significantly easier. Bake until the edges are lightly golden and set, but the centers still look slightly soft and puffy. This indicates a perfectly chewy interior.
Preparing the Creamy Mascarpone Frosting
Step 4: Making the Frosting. When working with cream cheese or mascarpone for frosting, a crucial tip for silkiness is to beat the cheese on its own for a few minutes until it’s light and fluffy before adding the other ingredients. This initial beating helps break down any lumps and creates a super smooth base. Then, gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream, mixing until you achieve a wonderfully creamy and spreadable consistency. Adjust the heavy cream as needed to reach your preferred thickness – a little more for a silkier frosting, or a little less if you plan to pipe it.
Step 5: Frosting and Finishing. Patience is a virtue here: ensure your cookies are completely cooled before applying the frosting. Warm cookies will cause the frosting to melt and slide off. You can spread the mascarpone frosting with a knife for a rustic look or use a piping bag with a decorative tip for a more elegant presentation. Finally, complete your tiramisu masterpiece with a dusting of cocoa powder and, if desired, a sprinkle of finely grated dark chocolate.
Storing and Freezing Your Tiramisu Cookies
These soft tiramisu cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store well, allowing you to savor them over a few days or even prepare them in advance.
- Storage: Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The mascarpone frosting is dairy-based and requires refrigeration. Bring them to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can absolutely freeze these cookies! However, they freeze best *without* the frosting and cocoa powder dusting. Once your cookies are completely cooled after baking, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe Ziplock bag or airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw the cookies at room temperature, then prepare and apply the mascarpone frosting and cocoa dusting according to the recipe instructions.
Soft Tiramisu Cookie Recipe
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Ingredients
Cookies:
- ½ cup butter softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup brown sugar light or dark for deeper flavor
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp instant espresso powder for a stronger coffee flavor
- ¼ cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Creamy Tiramisu Frosting:
- 6 oz mascarpone cheese softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 TBSP heavy cream add 1 extra tablespoon for a silkier texture
Dusting:
- cocoa powder
- finely grated dark chocolate optional
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
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Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 2-3 minutes.
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Beat in the large egg, vanilla extract, and instant espresso powder until fully incorporated and smooth, another 2-3 minutes.
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Add the heavy cream or milk and mix until the batter is smooth and well combined.
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In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
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Bake the Cookies: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop or by hand, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart.
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Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges appear lightly set and golden, but the centers remain soft. Overbaking will result in dry cookies.
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Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking.
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Prepare the Frosting: In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened mascarpone cheese on medium speed until it is smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Slowly add the heavy cream, beating until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and reaches your desired consistency. For an even silkier texture, you can add an extra tablespoon of heavy cream.
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Assemble & Finish: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe a generous layer of the creamy mascarpone frosting onto the top of each cookie.
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For the classic tiramisu presentation, lightly dust the frosted cookies with cocoa powder. Optionally, sprinkle with finely grated dark chocolate for an extra indulgent touch. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
For longer preservation, these cookies can be frozen. It is recommended to freeze the baked, unfrosted cookies. Once cooled, place them in a freezer-safe Ziplock bag or container. When ready to serve, thaw the cookies at room temperature and then prepare and apply the frosting as instructed in the recipe.
Nutrition
Pro Tips for Softening Butter to Room Temperature
Achieving perfectly softened butter is a critical step for many baking recipes, especially cookies, as it directly impacts the texture. Ideally, you’d plan ahead and let your butter sit on the counter for a few hours. However, life happens, and sometimes we need softened butter in a pinch!
- The Microwave Method: This is my go-to for speed, but it requires vigilance. Place a whole stick of butter (unwrapped from foil) in the microwave. Microwave it for short bursts of 6-7 seconds. If it’s still quite firm, give it another 5-7 seconds. As it starts to feel softer, reduce your intervals to just a few seconds to prevent melting. You want it pliable, not liquid. Many microwaves also have a “defrost” setting, which, while taking slightly longer (around 30 seconds), seems to soften the butter more gently without risking melting, making it a safer option.
- The Grating Method: If you’re really short on time, you can grate cold butter using a box grater. The small shreds will come to room temperature much faster than a whole stick. This is excellent for mixing into doughs quickly.
- The Rolling Method: Place your stick of cold butter between two sheets of parchment paper. Use a rolling pin to flatten it evenly. The thin sheet of butter will warm up remarkably quickly. Then, simply gather it back into a stick shape for use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tiramisu Cookies
- Can I substitute cream cheese for mascarpone?
- Yes, you can, but be aware that cream cheese has a tangier, more acidic flavor than mascarpone. If you use cream cheese, you might want to add a little extra powdered sugar to balance the tartness and achieve a closer flavor profile to traditional tiramisu. Ensure it’s also softened to room temperature.
- What if I don’t have instant espresso powder?
- Instant espresso powder provides the most intense and authentic coffee flavor. If you don’t have it, you can use very strong instant coffee powder as a substitute. You can also skip it if you prefer a non-coffee cookie, but it won’t truly be a “tiramisu” cookie without it!
- My cookies spread too much. What went wrong?
- Several factors can cause cookies to spread too much. Ensure your butter wasn’t too soft or melted when creaming, as this affects consistency. Also, correctly measure your flour; too little flour can make the dough too wet. Chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking can also help prevent excessive spreading.
- Can I make the cookie dough in advance?
- Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly before scooping and baking.
- How can I make these cookies taste even more like classic tiramisu?
- For an extra boost of tiramisu flavor, you could lightly brush the baked (but unfrosted) cookies with a very small amount of coffee liqueur (like Kahlua or a similar coffee-flavored liqueur) or a cooled shot of espresso before frosting. Be careful not to make them soggy!
More Delicious Cookie Recipes to Elevate Your Baking
If you’ve enjoyed the unique twist of these Soft Tiramisu Cookies, we have plenty more cookie recipes that are sure to delight your taste buds!
- Part of what makes these tiramisu cookies so incredibly delicious is their creamy frosting. If you’re a fan of frosted cookies, you absolutely must try our delectable Frosted Snickerdoodles, which take a classic cinnamon-sugar favorite to a new level, or our bright and zesty Frosted Lemon Sugar Cookies, perfect for a refreshing treat.
- For those who can never get enough chocolate, we have some fantastic options that are sure to satisfy your cravings. Dive into the rich indulgence of Double Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies, featuring a luscious chocolate center, or experience ultimate softness with our irresistible Double Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies.
- Craving something a little more adventurous and unique? Step outside the box with our surprisingly delicious Maple Bacon Cookies, made with an intriguing combination of bacon grease and maple syrup for a sweet and savory sensation. Or, for a fun and colorful treat that’s easy yet distinctive, try our festive Cheesecake Stuffed Funfetti Cookies, complete with a delightful creamy center.
In conclusion, these Soft Tiramisu Cookies offer a delightful journey for your taste buds, bringing the sophisticated essence of Italian tiramisu into a comforting and accessible cookie format. Their thick, chewy texture, rich coffee flavor, creamy mascarpone frosting, and elegant cocoa dusting make them a standout dessert that’s both easy to prepare and impressive to serve. Whether for a special gathering or a quiet moment of indulgence, these cookies are a true celebration of flavor.