Easy Tiramisu Cookies Recipe | Coffee-Flavored Dessert Cookies

Name: Tiramisu Cookies
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 177 min
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour (spoon and level); 1 tablespoon strong instant coffee; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 16 oz mascarpone cheese (chilled); ½ cup powdered sugar (sifted); ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ cup heavy cream (cold); Unsweetened cocoa powder (for dusting)

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Soft, chewy, and totally irresistible, these Tiramisu Cookies are my easy and delicious spin on the classic Italian dessert. They start with tender coffee-infused sugar cookies, topped with creamy mascarpone frosting and a final dusting of cocoa. If you love tiramisu, these cookies are a must try.

Large cookies topped with swirled white frosting and dusted with cocoa powder, arranged on a white surface and wooden board.

Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts, but I don’t always need the full pan-sized version. That’s how these Tiramisu Cookies came to life. They’re soft with a subtle coffee flavor, and the mascarpone frosting has the same creaminess everyone loves in traditional tiramisu.

I tested this recipe several times to make sure the flavor stayed true to the original dessert, and this recipe does just that. The dough needs no chill time and bakes into soft but sturdy cookies, perfect for piling on plenty of frosting. I finish them with a light dusting of cocoa, giving the cookies that classic tiramisu finish.

Freshly baked cookies make any day better, and these tiramisu cookies are no exception. If you’re in the mood for more easy cookie recipes, be sure to try my Raspberry Linzer Cookies and Brown Butter Sugar Cookies.

Six swirled tiramisu cookies dusted with cocoa powder on a wooden board, surrounded by a cup of coffee, a sieve, and scattered coffee beans.

Why We Love This Recipe

Easy cookie dough: The no-chill dough mixes together in one bowl, which makes things quick and cuts down on cleanup.
Real tiramisu flavor: The coffee infused cookie and creamy mascarpone frosting work together to give you that classic tiramisu taste in every bite.
Great for sharing: These cookies set well, hold their shape, and are easy to serve on holiday party trays and dessert tables.

Ingredients

For The Cookies

Unsalted butter: Softened butter blends smoothly and creates a tender cookie texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps the cookies have lightly crisp edges.
Egg: Binds the dough and keeps the cookies soft.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the coffee flavor.
All-purpose flour: Gives structure and keeps the cookies soft.
Strong instant coffee: (or espresso powder) Add the coffee flavor to the dough.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly and stay light.
Baking soda: Adds lift and helps the centers stay soft.
Salt: Balances sweetness and sharpens the espresso flavor.

For The Mascarpone Frosting

Mascarpone cheese: Creates the signature creamy tiramisu topping.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting without making it heavy.
Vanilla extract: Adds a smooth, mellow flavor that blends well with the mascarpone.
Heavy cream: Whipped separately to make the frosting light and airy.
Cocoa powder: A light dusting on top adds that classic tiramisu finish.

Find the full printable recipe with measurements and directions in the recipe card below.

How To Make Easy Tiramisu Cookies

Make The Cookies

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is fully incorporated.

A metal mixing bowl containing a stick of butter and granulated sugar on a light-colored surface.

A metal mixing bowl containing creamed butter and sugar with a cracked egg and vanilla extract on top, ready to be mixed.

Step 4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 5. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Mix until the dough comes together; it will be on the firm side.

A glass bowl containing flour, cinnamon, and baking powder, displayed on a light-colored surface.

A mixing bowl contains partially mixed dough with flour on top, sitting on a light-colored countertop.

Step 6. Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, roll into balls, and gently press them down on the baking sheet (they will spread a bit as they bake).

Step 7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers look set. As they cool, the cookies will become slightly crispy on the outside and soft and chewy in the center. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely.

Note: Bake 1-2 minutes longer if you want crispier cookies.

Six raw cookie dough balls are evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ready to be baked.

Six round cookies are evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Make The Mascarpone Frosting

Step 1. In a mixing bowl, beat the mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Be careful not to overmix or the mascarpone can turn watery.

Step 2. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until it reaches soft peaks.

A metal mixing bowl containing powdered sugar, cheese, and vanilla extract on a light-colored surface.

A stand mixer bowl filled with freshly whipped, smooth white frosting, viewed from above on a light-colored surface.

Step 3. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until it becomes light and creamy. Keep chilled until you’re ready to frost.

Assemble The Cookies

Step 1. Once the cookies are fully cooled, spread or pipe a swirl of the mascarpone frosting onto each one.

Step 2. Finish with a light dusting of cocoa powder.

A mixing bowl containing a thick, smooth, tiramisu cream on a light-colored surface.

A plate with a fine-mesh strainer holding cocoa powder, two cookies with piped cream, and a pastry bag of cream on a wooden board.

Tips and Tricks

Though these are easy cookies to make, here are a few of my favorite tips to make sure they turn out perfect every time.

Soften the butter fully before mixing so the cookie dough combines evenly.
Use instant coffee or instant espresso that dissolves well so that it will blend smoothly into the dough.
Use a light hand when folding the whipped cream so the frosting stays airy instead of deflating.
You may want to rotate the baking sheet halfway through if your oven has hot spots. This helps the cookies brown evenly.
Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for a minute before moving them so the edges don’t crack.
For the cleanest frosting swirl, use a piping bag with a round or star tip and keep the frosting chilled until right before piping.

Six round cookies topped with cream and dusted with cocoa powder are arranged on parchment paper and a wooden board, with cocoa powder and coffee beans scattered around.

To Store Tiramisu Cookies

Store: Refrigerate frosted tiramisu cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also bake the cookies up to 2 days ahead and keep them unfrosted, then add the mascarpone topping right before serving for the best texture.
Freeze the dough: Make the dough as directed, then chill for 30 minutes. Scoop into dough balls, freeze for 20 minutes, and transfer to a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
Freeze baked cookies: Once cooled, place cookies in a freezer safe container with parchment between layers. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

A close-up of a cookie topped with cream and dusted with cocoa powder, placed on parchment paper with other cookies and coffee beans nearby.

Variations And Add-ins

These cookies are incredible just as they are, but sometimes it’s fun to change things up. Try one of these simple twists next time you whip up a batch.

Chocolate chips: Mix mini chocolate chips into the dough for added texture.
Spice: Add a small pinch of cinnamon to the dough for warm fall flavor.
Chocolate drizzle: Try a chocolate drizzle over the frosting to make them extra fancy.
Chocolate shavings: Swap the cocoa dusting for shaved chocolate for a different twist.
Cookie bites: Make bite sized versions using a small cookie scoop to measure the dough.
Piped frosting: Instead of spreading it, pipe the frosting on the cookies for a bakery-style look.

FAQs

Why did my cookies soften overnight?

Mascarpone frosting will soften the cookies by the second day. If you’re not serving them all at once and want them to stay crispy, you could save some frosting and add it the next day.

Can I use regular cream cheese instead of mascarpone?

Mascarpone gives these cookies their classic tiramisu flavor, but cream cheese can work in a pinch. The taste will be a little tangier and the texture slightly thicker.

Why did my cookies spread more than expected?

Warm dough can cause extra spreading. If your kitchen is warm, chill the portioned dough for 10 minutes before baking.

How strong is the coffee flavor in the cookies?

It’s light and subtle, similar to classic tiramisu. For a stronger flavor, dissolve a little extra instant espresso in a teaspoon of warm water and mix it into the dough.

Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant espresso?

Instant espresso works best because it blends directly into the dough without adding extra liquid. Brewed coffee can thin the dough and change the texture.

A coffee-flavored cookie with white frosting and cocoa powder, showing a bite taken out, on a wooden board with whole cookies in the background.

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Lisa, author of Fun Money Mom, standing in front of a kitchen counter with a cupcake.

About Lisa O’Driscoll

Lisa O’Driscoll is a lifestyle and parenting expert, cookbook author, and the creative force behind Fun Money Mom, a popular blog she’s Lisa O’Driscoll is a lifestyle and parenting expert, cookbook author, and the creative force behind Fun Money Mom, a popular blog she’s run since 2014. She’s the author of the children’s cookbook Roll It, Slice It, Mash It, Dice It, designed to get kids excited about cooking. With multiple TV appearances under her belt, she loves sharing her expertise on family-friendly recipes, creative DIYs, and party planning and is always on a mission to inspire and entertain!

Meet Lisa