Cheesecake Tiramisu Cookies Recipe
If you love the indulgent flavors of tiramisu and the rich tanginess of cheesecake, then you’re going to flip for this Cheesecake Tiramisu Cookies Recipe. These cookies combine the best of both worlds – a soft, coffee-kissed sugar cookie base topped with a luscious mascarpone espresso frosting. Trust me, once you make them, they’ll be your new go-to dessert for everything from casual get-togethers to fancy coffee breaks.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Flavor Balance: The espresso powder infuses a subtle coffee kick without overwhelming the creamy mascarpone frosting.
- Soft Yet Chewy Texture: The combination of baking powder, soda, and cornstarch keeps the cookies tender with just enough chew.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples come together effortlessly to create bakery-worthy cookies at home.
- No-Fuss Frosting: The mascarpone frosting is easy to whip up and doesn’t require complex techniques, making it perfect even for beginner bakers.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Cheesecake Tiramisu Cookies Recipe is thoughtfully selected to create that classic tiramisu taste in cookie form. I always recommend using fresh, quality ingredients to truly bring out the flavor nuances – especially when it comes to the espresso powder and mascarpone cheese.

- Unsalted Butter: Melting the butter and whisking in espresso gives the cookies a rich base with a subtle coffee aroma.
- Instant Espresso Powder: Adds authentic tiramisu coffee flavor without the bitterness you might get from brewed coffee.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of your cookie dough, providing structure while still allowing chewiness.
- Cornstarch: This little trick helps keep cookies soft and tender, preventing them from being too dense.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Together, these leavening agents ensure the perfect rise and texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough just right while contributing to that classic cookie crisp edge.
- Egg: Adds richness and helps with binding the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances and rounds out all the other flavors to perfection.
- Mascarpone Cheese: The star of the frosting, lending a creamy, tangy element that screams tiramisu.
- Powdered Sugar: For a smooth, silky frosting texture without grittiness.
- Cold Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipped to fluffy perfection, it lightens the frosting beautifully.
- Cocoa Powder: A final dusting that seals in the tiramisu vibe and looks super pretty too.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this Cheesecake Tiramisu Cookies Recipe is. You can tweak the frosting sweetness, swap ingredients for dietary needs, or even jazz it up seasonally. It’s your dessert, so make it reflect your style and taste!
- Variation: I once added a splash of coffee liqueur to the frosting for an adult-only twist—it took the flavor to a whole new level!
- Dietary Modification: For a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that measures cup for cup. Just be sure to rest the dough to hydrate properly.
- Seasonal Change: During the holidays, try sprinkling some crushed amaretti cookies on top along with the cocoa powder—it’s dreamy!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesecake Tiramisu Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Get That Butter Espresso Mixture Going
First, melt your butter gently in a small bowl – don’t rush this or overheat. Once melted, whisk in the espresso powder until fully combined. This step is key because it infuses the most authentic coffee flavor right into your cookie base. Pop this mixture into the fridge for about 10 minutes to cool; trust me, it makes it easier to mix with the sugar and eggs later.
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until everything’s evenly distributed. I always give this a good stir to avoid any lumps or clumps that can cause uneven baking.
Step 3: Combine Butter, Sugar, and Eggs
Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk the chilled espresso butter mixture with the granulated sugar until it looks creamy and smooth. Add in your egg and vanilla extract, whisking again until it’s all well incorporated. This step creates the silky batter that yields those soft edges in the cookies you’ll adore.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Slowly stir in the dry ingredients into your wet mix, about half a cup at a time, folding gently. Overmixing is the enemy here—it can make your cookies tough rather than tender. I like to stop as soon as the flour disappears into the dough.
Step 5: Chill, Scoop, and Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) for at least 20 minutes to get that perfect bake. While it’s warming up, allow your dough to rest for 30 minutes—that rest gives the cookies a more consistent texture. Use a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) to drop dough balls onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spaced about 3 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges firm up and the centers puff slightly. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Step 6: Whip Up That Mascarpone Frosting
While the cookies cool down fully, it’s frosting time. On low speed, whip the cold mascarpone cheese until smooth—this usually takes about a minute or two. Then add in espresso powder, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. When everything’s combined, slowly pour in the heavy cream while mixing on low. Once incorporated, turn the mixer to medium and whip for 2 to 3 minutes until your frosting is light, fluffy, and luscious.
Step 7: Frost and Finish
Top each cookie with 1 to 2 tablespoons of frosting. I like smoothing it with the back of a spoon or a small icing spatula in a circular motion—that way it looks as dreamy as it tastes! Finish with a light dusting of cocoa powder for that classic tiramisu look and flavor. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Chill Your Dough: Resting the dough before baking allows the flavors to meld and prevents cookies from spreading too much.
- Don’t Overmix: When adding dry ingredients, gently fold instead of aggressive stirring for softer cookies.
- Frosting Temperature Matters: Keep your mascarpone and cream cold until mixing to get the fluffiest frosting.
- Cocoa Dusting: Use a fine-mesh sieve for an even dusting of cocoa powder that gives a beautiful finish without clumps.
How to Serve Cheesecake Tiramisu Cookies Recipe

Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with just a dusting of high-quality cocoa powder, but sometimes I sprinkle some shaved dark chocolate on top for extra richness and a touch of elegance. If you’re feeling fancy, a few espresso beans or edible gold flakes always wow guests!
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a steaming cup of espresso or a light cappuccino to complement the coffee notes. For a more indulgent pairing, try them alongside a scoop of vanilla gelato or a small bowl of fresh berries.
Creative Ways to Present
For celebrations, I like stacking these cookies on a tiered dessert stand with small bowls of whipped cream and coffee beans as decoration. You could also arrange them in pretty boxes layered with parchment for gift-giving — they always get rave reviews!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your frosted Cheesecake Tiramisu Cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I’ve found the frosting holds beautifully without weeping if stored well. If they’re unfrosted, you can keep them in a sealed container at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, but I personally recommend frosting right before serving.
Freezing
I’ve frozen unfrosted cookie dough balls before—just flash-freeze them on a sheet and transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to baking time. For frosted cookies, freezing works okay but the frosting can lose some of its texture, so I usually avoid freezing them after frosting.
Reheating
Since these are best served cool, I don’t recommend reheating the frosted cookies. If you want to freshen up an unfrosted cookie, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens it nicely without making it tough. Then add your frosting right before eating.
FAQs
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Can I use brewed coffee instead of instant espresso powder?
While brewed coffee adds flavor, it also adds moisture that can alter cookie dough consistency. The instant espresso powder is concentrated and dries perfectly into the dough and frosting without watering them down, so I recommend sticking with that for best results.
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How do I avoid the mascarpone frosting from becoming too runny?
Make sure your mascarpone and cream are cold before whipping. Whip the frosting just until fluffy but not overly beat or it will separate. Also, don’t add heavy cream too quickly—slow incorporation helps stabilize the texture.
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Can I make the cookies ahead and frost just before serving?
Absolutely! Baking the cookies a day ahead and storing them in an airtight container at room temperature works well. Make the frosting fresh and top the cookies right before you’re ready to serve for the best taste and texture.
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What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Keep frosted cookies in the fridge in an airtight box, layering parchment paper between them to prevent sticking. Unfrosted cookies keep well at room temp for a day or two in an airtight container.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesecake Tiramisu Cookies Recipe is genuinely one of my favorite indulgences to bake – it’s like cozy coffee house vibes right in your own kitchen. The ease of the cookie dough combined with the velvety mascarpone frosting makes it a crowd-pleaser every single time. Give this recipe a try–I bet you’ll be hooked just like I am. And hey, don’t forget to grab a cup of coffee while you’re at it. Happy baking!
Print
Cheesecake Tiramisu Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Tiramisu Cookies combine the rich flavor of espresso-infused coffee sugar cookies with a creamy mascarpone frosting, dusted with cocoa powder. Perfectly soft and chewy, these cookies offer a delightful twist on the classic Italian tiramisu dessert in cookie form.
Ingredients
Coffee Sugar Cookies
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon instant powder espresso
- 2 1/2 cups (300 g) all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (US), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
Espresso Mascarpone Frosting
- 8 oz. mascarpone cheese, cold
- 1 1/2 cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant powder espresso
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 1 cup (237 ml) cold heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons (10 g) cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Melt and chill butter: In a small bowl, melt the butter and whisk in the instant espresso powder. Transfer to the fridge and cool for about 10 minutes to set the espresso flavor.
- Mix dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the cooled espresso butter with the granulated sugar until well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract; whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Form cookie dough: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, adding about half at a time to avoid overmixing.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C) for 20-30 minutes prior to baking. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Let the dough rest while the oven heats for 30 minutes.
- Scoop cookies: Using a medium cookie scoop (2 tablespoons or 30 ml), portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies about 3 inches (8 cm) apart to allow spreading.
- Bake cookies: Bake the cookies at 375 F (190 C) for 12 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly puffed but not firm.
- Cool cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to reach room temperature. While cooling, prepare the frosting.
- Prepare frosting base: On low speed, whisk the mascarpone cheese until smooth. Add the espresso powder, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar; mix until well combined.
- Add whipping cream: Slowly mix in cold heavy whipping cream on low speed. Once incorporated, increase speed to medium and whip the frosting for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Assemble cookies: Top each cooled cookie with 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of mascarpone frosting. Smooth the frosting with the back of a spoon or icing spatula in a circular motion.
- Finish with cocoa dusting: Lightly dust the frosted cookies with cocoa powder for a classic tiramisu finish. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Store frosted tiramisu cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Unfrosted cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days without losing freshness.
- For a stronger coffee flavor, you can add an extra half teaspoon of espresso powder to the cookie dough or frosting.
- Make sure mascarpone cheese is cold for best frosting texture and easier whipping.
- If you prefer a firmer frosting, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before spreading on the cookies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg

