Tiramisu and brownies make the kind of duo that turns a casual coffee break into something worth remembering. Imagine the silkiness of mascarpone, the bittersweet lift of espresso, and the dense, glossy chew of a well-made brownie. It’s classic meets comfort, with a little drama in every square.
The goal here is more than tossing coffee into chocolate batter. You want a layered dessert with contrast: a coffee-kissed brownie base that holds its structure and a velvety mascarpone ribbon baked right on top. Each bite should feel balanced, not cloying, and the finish should be clean, with cocoa on the nose and a hint of liqueur if you like a grown-up edge.
What Sets This Version Apart
Many recipes lean hard on one side: either a cheesecake-style bar with a nod to coffee or a standard brownie with espresso powder mixed in. This approach brings the best of both. You’ll partially bake the tiramisu brownies, brush them with a quick espresso syrup, then add the mascarpone layer and bake again. The syrup sinks into the still-warm base for a true tiramisu vibe without turning the bars soggy.
A dusting of cocoa at the end locks in the classic finish. No raw eggs, no messy soaking steps after baking, and no wobbly center that refuses to set. The layers slice cleanly, the texture stays fudgy for days, and the coffee stays front and center.
Ingredient Spotlight
- Chocolate: Choose a dark bar in the 60 to 70 percent range for the right balance. Chocolate chips work in a pinch, but a bar melts smoother.
- Cocoa powder: Dutch-process brings depth and a touch of polish. Natural cocoa will work, though the flavor will read a bit brighter.
- Espresso: Strong, freshly brewed espresso is ideal. Strong coffee or concentrated instant espresso also works.
- Mascarpone: The soul of tiramisu. For stability, a small amount of cream cheese plus a teaspoon of cornstarch keeps the layer plush and sliceable.
- Liqueur: Marsala or coffee liqueur amplifies the coffee notes. Alcohol-free? Use vanilla and extra espresso.
Yield, Pan, and Timing
- Pan: 8-inch square, metal preferred
- Yield: 16 small squares or 9 generous pieces
- Bake temperature: 325 degrees Fahrenheit
- Time: 35 to 45 minutes total, split between the two layers
Ingredient Table
Quantities are designed for an 8-inch square pan. Metric measures are precise; cup measures are included for convenience.
| Component | Ingredient | Metric | US Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownie base | Unsalted butter | 170 g | 12 tbsp |
| Dark chocolate 60 to 70 percent, chopped | 170 g | 6 oz | |
| Dutch-process cocoa powder | 25 g | 1/4 cup | |
| Granulated sugar | 200 g | 1 cup | |
| Light brown sugar, packed | 100 g | 1/2 cup | |
| Large eggs, room temp | 3 | 3 | |
| Vanilla extract | 5 g | 1 tsp | |
| Instant espresso powder, optional | 3 g | 1 tsp | |
| All-purpose flour | 90 g | 3/4 cup | |
| Fine sea salt | 3 g | 1/2 tsp | |
| Mascarpone layer | Mascarpone | 250 g | 9 oz |
| Cream cheese, softened | 115 g | 4 oz | |
| Granulated sugar | 75 g | 1/3 cup | |
| Large egg yolk | 1 | 1 | |
| Vanilla extract | 5 g | 1 tsp | |
| Cornstarch | 5 g | 1 tsp | |
| Fine sea salt | pinch | pinch | |
| Espresso syrup | Fresh espresso or strong coffee, hot | 120 ml | 1/2 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 30 g | 2 tbsp | |
| Marsala or coffee liqueur, optional | 15 to 30 ml | 1 to 2 tbsp | |
| Finish | Unsweetened cocoa powder | to dust | to dust |
| Shaved dark chocolate, optional | to taste | to taste |
Step-by-Step Method
- Prepare the pan and oven
- Heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line an 8-inch square metal pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides for easy lifting. Lightly grease the parchment.
- Make the espresso syrup
- Stir the hot espresso and sugar in a small bowl until dissolved.
- Let cool to warm, then add marsala or coffee liqueur if using. Set aside.
- Start the brownie base
- In a heatproof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water, melt butter and chopped chocolate. Stir until glossy and smooth.
- Remove from heat and whisk in cocoa powder until dissolved.
- Whisk in both sugars. The mixture will look thick and grainy at first.
- Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each. Beat for 30 to 45 seconds until the batter looks shiny and thick.
- Whisk in vanilla and espresso powder.
- Finish the brownie batter
- Sift flour and salt over the bowl. Fold with a spatula just until no dry streaks remain.
- Spread into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 15 minutes. The surface should look dull and just set.
- Brush with espresso syrup
- Remove the pan and set it on a rack.
- Prick the surface lightly in a few spots with a toothpick.
- Brush 3 to 4 tablespoons of the warm syrup evenly over the hot brownie. The rest can be saved for another use or a light drizzle after chilling.
- Make the mascarpone layer
- While the base rests, beat mascarpone and cream cheese on medium speed until completely smooth and lump-free, about 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape the bowl.
- Add sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, cornstarch, and a small pinch of salt. Mix on low until combined, then on medium for 15 seconds to smooth. Avoid whipping a lot of air into the mixture.
- Add the topping and finish baking
- Dollop the mascarpone mixture over the warm brownie and gently spread to the corners.
- For a marbled effect, reserve 2 to 3 tablespoons and swirl it across the top with a knife.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges are set and the center has a slight wobble. A toothpick inserted 1 inch from the side should return a few damp crumbs from the brownie layer.
- Cool and chill
- Cool in the pan on a rack for 1 hour.
- Refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 3 hours or overnight. Chilling is key for clean slices and the best texture.
- Finish and serve
- Lift out by the parchment.
- Dust generously with cocoa. Add shaved chocolate if you like.
- Warm a sharp knife under hot water, wipe dry, and cut into squares.
Visual Cues That Matter
- Shiny, thick brownie batter signals good emulsification and will give you that glossy top.
- After 15 minutes, the brownie surface should no longer look wet.
- The mascarpone layer should not soufflé high. A gentle set with a faint wiggle in the very center is perfect.
- If the mascarpone starts to brown, your oven runs hot. Tent loosely with foil in the last 5 minutes.
Why This Method Works
- Partial bake plus syrup: Brushing syrup on a just-baked surface lets flavor move into the crumb without flooding it. Tiramisu brownies have a vivid coffee flavor, texture stays fudgy.
- Whisked eggs and hot butter-chocolate: This combo helps dissolve sugar and creates a shiny crust on top.
- Minimal flour, added last: Less gluten formation means a denser, chewier square.
- Stabilized mascarpone: A little cream cheese and cornstarch safeguard against graininess and cracks while keeping the mascarpone character intact.
Flavor Twists
- Mocha lovers: Fold 1/2 cup chocolate chunks into the brownie batter and add an extra teaspoon of espresso powder.
- Almond accent: Replace vanilla in the mascarpone layer with 1/4 teaspoon almond extract and top with toasted sliced almonds.
- Rum tiramisu: Swap marsala for dark rum in the syrup.
- Citrus lift: Add the zest of half an orange to the mascarpone mixture.
- Ladyfinger crunch: Scatter a tablespoon or two of very finely crushed ladyfingers over the mascarpone before baking for a subtle nod to the original dessert.
Make It Gluten-Free
- Use a reliable 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose blend for the flour.
- Add 1 extra tablespoon of cocoa powder to the brownie batter to boost structure.
- Bake times are similar. Let the bars cool fully before slicing.
Alcohol-Free Option
- Leave out the liqueur and use all espresso in the syrup.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon extra vanilla to the mascarpone layer to round the flavor.
Equipment Checklist
- 8-inch metal square pan
- Parchment paper
- Heatproof mixing bowl and small saucepan
- Whisk, rubber spatula, hand mixer or stand mixer
- Pastry brush for syrup
- Fine-mesh strainer for cocoa dusting
- Sharp chef’s knife or bench scraper for clean cuts
Troubleshooting Guide
- Brownie top didn’t get shiny
- The batter may have been under-mixed after adding eggs. Whisk vigorously until it thickens and looks glossy before adding the flour.
- Granulated sugar not fully dissolved can dull the surface. Use warm butter-chocolate and whisk well.
- Mascarpone layer looks grainy
- Mascarpone can curdle if overbeaten or if the ingredients are too cold. Bring everything to cool room temperature and mix just until smooth.
- A teaspoon of cornstarch helps stabilize the mixture.
- Soggy base
- Too much syrup or underbaked brownie. Stick to 3 to 4 tablespoons of syrup and ensure the base has a light set before brushing.
- Use a metal pan for even heat.
- Overbaked edges, underbaked center
- Your oven may run hot. Drop the temperature to 315 to 320 degrees or tent the pan once the topping starts to set.
- Avoid glass bakeware, which can cause browning at the edges before the center sets.
- Cracks on top
- Slight cracks are normal and will be hidden under cocoa. Large cracks point to overbaking or a mascarpone mix with too much air. Mix on low to medium, not high.
Scaling for a Crowd
Baking in a 9 by 13-inch pan? Multiply the entire recipe by about 1.8. If math at the counter isn’t your favorite, here’s a quick guide.
- Butter: 300 g
- Dark chocolate: 300 g
- Cocoa: 45 g
- Granulated sugar: 360 g
- Light brown sugar: 180 g
- Eggs: 5 large
- Flour: 160 g
- Salt: 1 tsp plus a pinch
- Mascarpone: 450 g
- Cream cheese: 200 g
- Sugar for topping: 135 g
- Egg yolk: 2
- Cornstarch: 9 g
- Espresso syrup: 215 ml coffee with 55 g sugar, adjust liqueur to taste
Bake at 325 degrees. Expect about 20 minutes for the first bake and 25 to 30 minutes after adding the topping, watching the same doneness cues.
Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cocoa dusting can be added just before serving to keep it neat.
- Freezing: Cut into squares and freeze on a sheet pan until firm. Wrap individually and store for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Make-ahead plan: Bake the day before, chill overnight, and dust with cocoa right before you bring them to the table. Flavor deepens after a rest.
Serving Ideas and Pairings
Set the bars out slightly chilled for clean edges and a cool, creamy top. Let them rest 15 minutes at room temperature so the chocolate flavors bloom.
A few small touches go a long way:
- A generous drift of Dutch-process cocoa
- Fine curls of dark chocolate shaved with a vegetable peeler
- Tiny dollops of lightly sweetened whipped cream, barely sweet and softly set
Coffee is a natural partner. Try:
- Double espresso with a twist of lemon peel
- Cold brew over ice, no sugar
- Cappuccino with dry foam for contrast
For those who like a dessert wine, small pours of chilled marsala or a nutty Madeira create a beautiful echo with the espresso notes.
Ingredient Quality Swaps
If you need to swap items based on what’s on hand, keep these guardrails in mind:
- Chocolate: Choose a bar that tastes good on its own. Balanced bitterness and not overly sweet.
- Cocoa: Dutch-process gives that classic tiramisu dusting vibe and plays well with espresso.
- Mascarpone: If unavailable, use full-fat cream cheese for the full amount and add 2 tablespoons of sour cream. The flavor shifts slightly, but the texture stays lush.
Clean Slicing Tips
- Chill fully, then use a long, sharp knife.
- Dip the blade in hot water and wipe between cuts.
- For uniform portions, trim the edges slightly, then cut 3 by 3 for large squares or 4 by 4 for smaller bites.
A Few Smart Habits
- Bake a test batch with your pan and oven. Once you map out the perfect timing, results repeat easily.
- Keep espresso powder in your pantry. A small amount heightens chocolate flavor without making everything taste like coffee.
- Use parchment with overhang to lift the slab out cleanly. It protects the delicate mascarpone layer from getting roughed up by pan edges.
Quick Reference Recipe Card
- Preheat: 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8-inch square pan.
- Syrup: 1/2 cup espresso + 2 tbsp sugar + 1 to 2 tbsp marsala.
- Brownie: Melt 170 g butter + 170 g dark chocolate. Whisk in 25 g cocoa, 200 g white sugar, 100 g brown sugar. Add 3 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp espresso powder. Fold in 90 g flour + 1/2 tsp salt. Bake 15 minutes.
- Brush: 3 to 4 tbsp syrup on hot brownie.
- Topping: Beat 250 g mascarpone + 115 g cream cheese until smooth. Mix in 75 g sugar, 1 yolk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cornstarch, pinch salt. Spread on top.
- Bake: 20 to 25 minutes until edges set and center slightly wobbly.
- Chill: 3 hours or overnight.
- Finish: Dust with cocoa, slice, and serve.
Each square brings coffee, cocoa, and cream into harmony. Serve these tiramisu brownies to the people who always order tiramisu, to the brownie purists at your table, and to anyone who thinks they’ve tasted every brownie out there. They haven’t tasted this one.