A perfect blend of two beloved treats—rich chocolate brownies and the iconic Italian tiramisu—this dessert offers a delightful twist on tradition. With a base of dense, fudgy brownies infused with bold espresso, topped with a creamy, luscious mascarpone frosting, and finished off with a light dusting of cocoa, these brownies bring together the best of both worlds. These Small Batch Tiramisu Brownies are the ultimate indulgence, offering the familiar flavors of tiramisu in a whole new, portable form. Get ready to take your love for coffee and chocolate to the next level!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
If you’re a fan of decadent desserts, these Tiramisu Brownies will quickly become your new favorite treat! Imagine the rich, fudgy texture of a brownie with the bold flavors of classic tiramisu – a heavenly combination of coffee-soaked layers, creaminess, and a touch of cocoa. These brownies deliver all the indulgence of a traditional tiramisu with the easy-to-make convenience of brownies.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Unsalted Butter
- Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate: Melting semi-sweet chocolate and mix it into the brownie batter to ensure the chocolate flavor permeates every bite. This is often the go-to method for rich, fudgy brownies.
- Egg
- Granulated White Sugar
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract adds a subtle sweetness and warmth that balances the bitterness of the espresso powder and the richness of the chocolate. It also enhances the vanilla favor in the smooth Mascarpone Frosting.
- Espresso Powder: Espresso powder brings a rich, deep coffee flavor to the brownies without making them overly bitter. Since tiramisu is known for its coffee flavor, the espresso powder helps capture that essence and infuses the brownies with a subtle but distinct coffee taste.
- Cocoa Powder
- All Purpose Flour
- Mascarpone Cheese: Mascarpone cheese is the key ingredient in the traditional tiramisu, providing a rich and creamy texture. Using it in the frosting brings that authentic, indulgent flavor into the brownies.
- Powdered Sugar
- Heavy Whipping Cream
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Tiramisu Brownies
The Perfect Dessert for Coffee Lovers
Combining the best of both worlds, this dessert is a coffee lover’s dream – featuring the deep, robust flavor of espresso and the comforting, fudgy texture of a brownie. But it doesn’t stop there. The indulgent layer of mascarpone cream and a delicate dusting of cocoa give these brownies the signature taste of Italian tiramisu, transforming a simple dessert into a luxurious treat.
These Tiramisu Brownies are infused with espresso, which perfectly complements the richness of the chocolate brownie base, while the mascarpone frosting creates a delicate balance of creamy sweetness. The frosting itself, with its velvety texture and mild, tangy flavor, is the perfect counterpart to the espresso and chocolate, giving each bite a luxurious finish. A light dusting of cocoa powder on top adds that final touch of elegance, making these brownies a showstopper dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
What could be better than drinking coffee than enjoying a scrumptious dessert that leaves a rich coffee taste lingering long after they are gone.
Let’s Start Baking!
Small Batch Tiramisu Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
Espresso Brownies:
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (85 g)
- 3 ounces chocolate, chopped (85 g)
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar (100 g)
- 2 tbsp dark brown sugar (24 g)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour (45 g)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tsp espresso powder
Mascarpone Frosting:
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, COLD (120 g or 4 ounces)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (130 g)
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, COLD (113 g or 4 ounces)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Espresso Brownies:
- Prepare a 9×5 loaf baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some over the sides to make it easy to remove the brownies from the pan. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the 6 tbsp of butter and 3 ounces of chocolate together in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth and fully melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled chocolate mixture. Add in the egg, granulated white sugar, dark brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and whisk together until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the espresso powder, cocoa powder, and all-purpose flour, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix the batter.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 24-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs. Start making the Mascarpone Frosting while allowing the brownies to cool completely in the pan.
Mascarpone Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, place the cold mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth in texture. Gradually add the cold heavy whipping cream. Continue whipping until the mixture thickens and soft peaks form. Do not over-mix!
- Once the brownies have cooled, spread the mascarpone frosting evenly over the top of the brownies using a spatula. Generously dust with cocoa powder or shaved chocolate, if desired. Cut the brownies in squares and enjoy!
Did you make these?
If you tested out this recipe make sure to leave a comment below letting me know what you think! And as always, make sure you tag me on Instagram @bakedby_brittney