Tiramisu Truffles Recipe

The rich, velvety texture of these Tiramisu Truffles will transport you straight to an Italian café with just one bite. These decadent little morsels capture all the beloved flavors of classic tiramisu—coffee, mascarpone, and cocoa—in a convenient, bite-sized treat that’s perfect for entertaining or gifting. The contrast between the silky-smooth interior and the cocoa-dusted exterior creates a sensory experience that coffee and dessert lovers will absolutely adore. You’ll learn how to create these impressive Tiramisu Truffles with simple ingredients and foolproof techniques that guarantee success every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Tiramisu Truffles are a game-changer for dessert lovers who crave something special yet manageable. Unlike traditional tiramisu that requires hours of assembly and chilling, these truffles deliver the same iconic flavors in just a fraction of the time. The creamy mascarpone center offers a luxurious mouthfeel that melts on your tongue, while the espresso provides that distinctive coffee kick that makes tiramisu so beloved.

What makes these truffles truly special is their versatility. They’re elegant enough for formal gatherings yet simple enough for a weeknight treat. The contrast between the soft, creamy interior and the slightly bitter cocoa coating creates a perfect balance that prevents them from being overly sweet. Plus, there’s something undeniably satisfying about creating something so impressive from scratch—your friends will think you spent hours in the kitchen when these tiramisu-inspired treats actually come together with minimal effort.

Ingredients

For approximately 24 Tiramisu Truffles, you’ll need:

• 8 oz (226g) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp instant espresso powder (dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water)
• 1 tbsp coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), optional
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 12 ladyfinger cookies (about 60g), finely crushed
• 8 oz (226g) white chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup (30g) unsweetened cocoa powder, for coating
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar, for mixing with cocoa (optional)

The mascarpone cheese is the star ingredient that gives these truffles their authentic tiramisu flavor. Look for high-quality mascarpone with a rich fat content for the creamiest results. The ladyfingers provide that classic cake-like texture, while the espresso powder delivers the signature coffee note that defines traditional tiramisu desserts.

Pro Tips

Get the Right Consistency: The secret to perfect Tiramisu Truffles is achieving the ideal consistency before chilling. The mixture should be soft but firm enough to hold its shape when scooped. If it’s too soft after mixing, chill it for 15-20 minutes before attempting to roll. Conversely, if it becomes too firm during rolling, let it warm slightly at room temperature until workable again.

Master the Rolling Technique: For professional-looking truffles, use a small cookie scoop to portion the mixture evenly. Then, with very lightly dampened hands (not wet), quickly roll each portion into a smooth ball. The slight moisture prevents sticking without making the mixture soggy. Work efficiently in batches, returning the mixture to the refrigerator if it begins to soften too much.

Perfect Your Coating Method: For the smoothest white chocolate coating, make sure your chocolate is melted and cooled to about 90°F (32°C). Dip cold truffle centers using a dipping fork or two regular forks, allowing excess to drip off before placing on parchment. For the cocoa coating, place the powder in a shallow bowl and gently roll the truffles to coat evenly, using a light touch to prevent compressing the soft centers.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened mascarpone and cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. You want to achieve a silky texture with no lumps for the perfect Tiramisu Truffles base. Add the sugar and continue beating until fully incorporated and slightly fluffy.

Step 2: Add the Flavors

Dissolve the espresso powder in hot water, creating a concentrated coffee solution. Pour this into your cheese mixture along with the coffee liqueur (if using), vanilla extract, and salt. Beat again until everything is well combined. The mixture should now have a light tan color and smell wonderfully of coffee.

Step 3: Incorporate the Ladyfingers

Crush your ladyfinger cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a zip-top bag and rolling with a rolling pin. Fold these crumbs into your cheese mixture using a spatula. This adds both texture and that authentic tiramisu cake component to your truffles. The mixture should now be thicker but still creamy.

Step 4: Chill the Mixture

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the mixture is firm enough to scoop and hold its shape. This chilling step is crucial for creating Tiramisu Truffles that keep their form when rolled.

Step 5: Shape the Truffles

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1-inch cookie scoop or a tablespoon, portion the chilled mixture into equal-sized balls. With lightly dampened hands, roll each portion into a smooth ball and place on the prepared baking sheet. Return to the refrigerator for another 30 minutes to firm up again.

Step 6: Coat the Truffles

For chocolate-dipped truffles: Melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Dip each chilled truffle into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off before returning to the parchment paper. Before the chocolate sets completely, dust with a light coating of cocoa powder.

For simple cocoa-dusted truffles: Mix the cocoa powder with powdered sugar (if using) in a shallow bowl. Roll each chilled truffle in this mixture until completely coated, shaking off any excess.

Step 7: Final Chill

Return the coated Tiramisu Truffles to the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set completely before serving. This final chilling step ensures the perfect texture contrast between the coating and the creamy interior.

Variations

Chocolate-Dipped Tiramisu Truffles: For an even more decadent version of these Tiramisu Truffles, skip the cocoa powder coating and instead dip the chilled truffle centers in melted dark chocolate. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle with a touch of espresso powder for visual appeal and an extra coffee kick. The contrast between the dark chocolate shell and creamy tiramisu center creates an extraordinary taste experience.

Orange-Infused Tiramisu Truffles: Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the mascarpone mixture and substitute Grand Marnier or another orange liqueur for the coffee liqueur. This citrus variation brings a bright, refreshing twist to the traditional tiramisu flavor profile while maintaining the creamy texture that makes these truffles so irresistible.

Dairy-Free Option: For those avoiding dairy, substitute the mascarpone and cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and use dairy-free white chocolate for coating. While the texture will be slightly different, you’ll still capture that beloved coffee-infused tiramisu experience in a plant-based format.

Storage and Serving

These Tiramisu Truffles will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For the best texture and flavor, remove them from the refrigerator about 10-15 minutes before serving to take the chill off. If you need to store them longer, they freeze beautifully for up to 3 months—simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

For an elegant presentation, serve your truffles on a small platter dusted with additional cocoa powder. They pair wonderfully with after-dinner coffee or espresso, creating a complete Italian dessert experience. For special occasions, place each truffle in a small paper candy cup and arrange on a tiered stand for a sophisticated display that’s sure to impress your guests.

These truffles also make excellent gifts—package them in a decorative box lined with parchment paper and tied with a ribbon for a homemade treat that rivals any gourmet chocolate shop offering.

FAQs

Can I make Tiramisu Truffles ahead of time?
Absolutely! These Tiramisu Truffles actually benefit from being made 1-2 days in advance, as the flavors have time to develop and meld together. Just store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Can I omit the alcohol in this recipe?
Yes, the coffee liqueur is completely optional. If you prefer an alcohol-free version, simply omit it or replace with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for additional flavor.

Why are my truffles too soft to roll?
If your truffle mixture is too soft, it likely needs more chilling time. Return it to the refrigerator for an additional 30-60 minutes. You can also add a few more crushed ladyfingers to absorb excess moisture.

Can I use regular coffee instead of espresso powder?
While espresso powder provides the most concentrated flavor, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of very strong brewed coffee that’s been reduced and cooled. Just be aware that you may need to adjust the amount of ladyfinger crumbs to maintain the proper consistency.

How do I prevent the cocoa powder from absorbing into the truffles?
To maintain that beautiful dusted appearance, you can roll the truffles in cocoa powder just before serving. Alternatively, mix the cocoa powder with a bit of powdered sugar, which helps create a barrier that prevents complete absorption.

Conclusion

This Tiramisu Truffles recipe is comfort food at its finest — a perfect balance of creamy, coffee-infused luxury in an elegant bite-sized package. It’s the kind of dessert that transforms ordinary moments into special occasions while being surprisingly simple to create. Whether you’re serving these at a dinner party, gifting them to friends, or simply treating yourself to a coffee-infused indulgence, these truffles capture all the magic of traditional tiramisu in a convenient, no-bake format. Master this recipe, and you’ll always have an impressive dessert in your repertoire that celebrates the beloved Italian flavors that have captivated dessert lovers around the world.

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