Experience all the sophisticated flavors of classic tiramisu in an elegant bite-sized truffle! These Easy Tiramisu Truffles combine rich, creamy mascarpone cheese with crushed ladyfinger cookies and bold espresso, all coated in luxurious dark chocolate and dusted with cocoa powder. Each truffle is like a tiny celebration—the perfect balance of coffee, cream, and chocolate that melts in your mouth. What makes this recipe truly special is that it’s completely no-bake! No oven required means you can make these impressive treats even on the hottest summer day. The process is surprisingly simple: mix, chill, shape, dip, and chill again. Yet the result looks and tastes like it came from a fancy Italian bakery. Perfect for holiday gifts, dinner parties, or whenever you want to indulge in something truly special, these tiramisu truffles deliver restaurant-quality sophistication with home-kitchen ease. The combination of crunchy ladyfinger cookies, smooth mascarpone, and rich espresso creates incredible texture, while the dark chocolate coating adds decadent richness. Make them ahead for stress-free entertaining, or enjoy the meditative process of hand-rolling each truffle.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Tiramisu Truffles Recipe
- No-bake dessert – no oven required makes this perfect year-round
- Classic tiramisu flavors – all the sophistication of traditional tiramisu in bite-sized form
- Make-ahead friendly – prepare 1-2 days in advance for stress-free entertaining
- Impressive presentation – looks like it came from an upscale bakery
- Perfect gift – elegant enough to give as holiday or hostess gifts
- Easy to customize – endless variations with different chocolate coatings or flavors
If you love elegant no-bake desserts, you’ll also want to try our No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake Cups and Cream Cheese Chocolate Truffles.
Easy Tiramisu Truffles
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Fork for dipping
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Plastic wrap
- Fine-mesh sieve (for dusting)
Ingredients
For the Truffle Filling
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese about 240g – room temperature
- 1 cup ladyfinger cookies crushed (about 100g)
- 1/2 cup espresso cooled to room temperature (about 120ml)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar about 50g
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract adds warmth and depth
For Coating and Finishing
- 8 ounces dark chocolate chopped (about 225g)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Brew strong espresso or very strong coffee. Let cool completely to room temperature. Hot coffee will melt the mascarpone.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mascarpone cheese, crushed ladyfinger cookies, cooled espresso, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir gently until well combined. Mixture should be smooth yet slightly chunky from ladyfingers. Do not overmix.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour until mixture is firm enough to shape.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form chilled mixture into small balls about 1 inch in diameter (approximately 24 truffles). Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Place chopped dark chocolate in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and completely melted.
- Using a fork, dip each truffle into melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Return coated truffles to parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Refrigerate coated truffles for 30 minutes until chocolate is completely set.
- Just before serving, dust truffles with cocoa powder using a fine-mesh sieve. Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving for best texture and flavor.
Notes
What You Need for Tiramisu Truffles
Essential Ingredients
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese (about 240g) – creamy Italian cheese provides rich, velvety texture
- 1 cup crushed ladyfinger cookies (about 100g) – essential for authentic tiramisu flavor and texture
- 1/2 cup espresso, cooled (about 120ml) – brew strong for bold coffee flavor
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder – for dusting and finishing
- 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (about 225g) – creates luxurious coating
- 1/4 cup sugar (about 50g) – balances flavors perfectly
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – adds warmth and depth
How to Make Tiramisu Truffles (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Preparing the Coffee Base
- Brew espresso (5 minutes): Brew strong espresso (or use very strong coffee). Let cool to room temperature. (Hot coffee will melt the mascarpone!)
Step 2: Making the Mascarpone Filling
- Combine ingredients (5 minutes): In large mixing bowl, combine mascarpone cheese, crushed ladyfinger cookies, cooled espresso, sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Mix filling (3 minutes): Stir gently until well combined. Mixture should be smooth yet slightly chunky from ladyfingers. Don’t overmix or texture will be dense.
- Chill mixture (60 minutes): Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. This makes mixture easier to shape.
Step 3: Shaping the Truffles
- Scoop truffles (10 minutes): Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form mixture into small balls about 1 inch in diameter (approximately 24 truffles).
- Place on sheet (2 minutes): Arrange formed truffles on parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 4: Coating with Chocolate
- Melt chocolate (3 minutes): Place chopped dark chocolate in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and glossy.
- Dip truffles (10 minutes): Using a fork, dip each truffle into melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Return to parchment-lined sheet.
Step 5: Final Chill and Finish
- Set chocolate (30 minutes): Refrigerate coated truffles for 30 minutes until chocolate is completely set.
- Dust with cocoa (2 minutes): Just before serving, dust truffles with cocoa powder using a fine-mesh sieve for that classic tiramisu finish.
Expert Tips for Perfect Tiramisu Truffles
- Cool espresso completely – hot coffee will melt mascarpone and create runny mixture
- Don’t overmix – gently fold ingredients to maintain light, airy texture with chunky bits
- Chill before shaping – cold mixture is much easier to form into uniform balls
- Use quality chocolate – good dark chocolate makes a huge difference in final taste
- Work quickly when dipping – chocolate sets fast, so have everything ready before starting
How to Store and Serve Tiramisu Truffles
Storage: Store truffles in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Flavors actually improve after a day!
Freezing: Freeze in airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before serving.
Serving: Let truffles sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to enhance creamy texture and bring out flavors. Arrange on elegant platter dusted with cocoa powder.
Presentation ideas: Place in mini cupcake liners for easy serving, arrange in decorative boxes for gift-giving, or create a truffle tower for impressive presentation.
Tiramisu Truffles Recipe Variations You’ll Love
- White Chocolate Version – coat in white chocolate instead of dark for sweeter, creamier truffles
- Liqueur Infused – add 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur or rum to filling for adult version
- Nutty Crunch – roll coated truffles in crushed hazelnuts or almonds before chocolate sets
- Fruit Swirl – add raspberry or strawberry puree to filling for fruity twist
- Mocha Version – mix cocoa powder into mascarpone filling for extra chocolate flavor
For more elegant truffle recipes, check out our Blue Christmas Truffles and Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tiramisu Truffles
Can I make Tiramisu Truffles ahead of time?
Absolutely! These truffles are perfect for making ahead. Prepare them 1-2 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. The flavors actually improve as they sit, making them even more delicious!
What can I substitute for mascarpone cheese?
While mascarpone gives authentic tiramisu flavor, you can substitute cream cheese in a pinch. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious. For best results, let cream cheese soften to room temperature first.
Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso?
Yes! Brew very strong coffee as a substitute. Use double the amount of coffee grounds you’d normally use for regular coffee to achieve that bold espresso flavor.
How do I prevent the truffles from being too soft?
Make sure your espresso is completely cooled before adding it to the mascarpone. Also, don’t skip the chilling time—this is essential for the truffles to hold their shape properly.
Final Thoughts on These Tiramisu Truffles
These Easy Tiramisu Truffles bring all the elegance and sophistication of classic Italian tiramisu into a fun, bite-sized format that’s perfect for any occasion. The no-bake method makes them accessible to bakers of all skill levels, while the end result is impressive enough to serve at the fanciest dinner party. The combination of creamy mascarpone, crunchy ladyfingers, bold espresso, and rich dark chocolate creates layers of flavor and texture that are simply irresistible. Whether you’re making them for a special celebration, packaging them as thoughtful gifts, or simply indulging in a homemade treat, these truffles deliver gourmet flavor with minimal effort. The best part? They actually taste better after sitting for a day, making them the ultimate make-ahead dessert. Once you try these, they’ll become your go-to recipe whenever you need something special. Love this recipe? Save it to your Pinterest boards and follow us on Pinterest for more elegant dessert recipes!