Ever crave tiramisu but don’t want to make a whole giant pan of it? Yeah, me too. You want that creamy, coffee-soaked goodness, but in a form you can eat with your hands.
That’s where these Tiramisu Sandwich Cookies come in. They have all the classic flavors packed into a perfect little package.
We’re talking soft, coffee-dusted cookies filled with a sweet, tangy mascarpone cream. It’s the dessert you love, made easy.
Tiramisu Sandwich Cookies: Your New Favorite Treat
These cookies are a game-changer. They look fancy but are surprisingly simple to whip up.
They are perfect for parties, gifts, or just for you when you need a pick-me-up.
What You’ll Need
Here is everything you need to grab from the store. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty basic stuff.
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- A pinch of salt
For the Filling:
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa) or strong brewed coffee
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need any wild kitchen gadgets for this.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Baking Sheets | For baking cookies |
| Parchment Paper | Prevents sticking |
| Stand or Hand Mixer | For mixing dough/filling |
| Bowls | For mixing ingredients |
| Whisk & Spatula | For folding and scraping |
| Cookie Scoop | For even-sized cookies |
How to Make Tiramisu Sandwich Cookies
Let’s get down to business. I’ll walk you through every step.
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a larger bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Don’t overmix it.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough just comes together.
Step 2: Bake the Cookies
Use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) to drop rounds of dough onto your baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between them.
Gently flatten each dough ball with the bottom of a glass.
Bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be set. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Make the Mascarpone Filling
While the cookies cool, make the filling. In a medium bowl, beat the room temperature mascarpone cheese until it’s smooth.
Add the powdered sugar, coffee liqueur, and vanilla. Mix on low speed until it’s all combined and creamy. Be careful not to overbeat, or it can get runny.
Step 4: Assemble Your Cookies
Once the cookies are totally cool, it’s time to assemble.
Find cookie pairs that are similar in size. Spread a good amount of filling on the flat side of one cookie and gently press another cookie on top.
Repeat until all your cookie sandwiches are made.
For that classic tiramisu look, lightly dust the tops with extra cocoa powder.
Pro Tips From My Kitchen
After making these a thousand times, I’ve learned a few things.
- Room Temp is Key: For the filling, your mascarpone MUST be at room temperature. If it’s cold, it will be lumpy. No one wants lumpy filling.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull the cookies out when the edges are firm but the center still looks a little soft. They will finish baking on the hot pan and stay chewy.
- Chill for a Bit: Once you assemble the cookies, let them chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together and sets the filling. It makes a huge difference.
Substitutions and Variations
Feel free to play around with this recipe. It’s hard to mess up.
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All-Purpose Flour | 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour | For a GF version |
| Coffee Liqueur | Strong Brewed Coffee | For a non-alcoholic version |
| Mascarpone Cheese | Cream Cheese | Creates a tangier filling |
Want to try something different? Add a little orange zest to the filling for a bright flavor. Or swap the coffee liqueur for amaretto for a nutty taste.
Nutrition and Diet Swaps
A quick look at what’s inside and how to adapt it.
- Nutrition: These are treats, so they have sugar and fat. Each cookie sandwich is around 180-220 calories.
- Gluten-Free: Use a good 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture will be very similar.
- Dairy-Free: This one is tough. You can try dairy-free butter and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative, but the mascarpone flavor is hard to replicate.
- Lower Sugar: You can reduce the sugar in the cookies and filling slightly, but it will change the texture.
Pairing Suggestions
These cookies are amazing on their own.
But if you want to get fancy, serve them with a hot cup of coffee or an espresso. They also go great with a glass of milk or even a small glass of dessert wine.
Leftovers and Storage
If you have any left (which is rare), here’s how to store them.
Store the assembled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
The cookies actually get a little softer and more flavorful by day two!
FAQs
Here are some common questions I get about this recipe.
Q1. My filling is runny. What happened?
Ans: You probably overmixed the mascarpone. It’s very delicate. Mix it on low speed just until it’s combined. If it’s runny, try chilling it in the fridge for an hour to see if it firms up.
Q2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Ans: Yes! You can make the dough and keep it wrapped in plastic in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months.
Q3. Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso powder?
Ans: Espresso powder gives a much stronger, deeper coffee flavor. You can use very strong instant coffee, but regular brewed coffee has too much water and will mess up the dough.
Wrapping Up
There you have it. A simple way to get your tiramisu fix any day of the week.
These cookies are so much fun to make and even more fun to eat.
Give them a try and let me know what you think in the comments below. I love hearing how your baking turns out
