This brownie tiramisu recipe is layered with a chewy and fudgy brownie base then topped with espresso infused mascarpone and finished with a traditional dusting of cocoa powder. This easy coffee dessert is perfect for serving at a dinner party (alongside an espresso martini!) or a fun girls night!
Brownie Tiramisu: a rich coffee dessert to serve with espresso martinis!
I’ll be serving this brownie tiramisu + espresso martini combo at all of my dinner parties! My girlfriends LOVE an espresso martini and I know they will go feral for this combo.
It feels like such a fancy and rich dessert and the perfect way to end a great dinner
- The best of both worlds! This coffee dessert has equal layers of fudgy brownies and creamy tiramisu in one
- The perfect pairing! I love serving espresso martinis at the end of dinner parties (this is my go to batch espresso martini recipe!) and this dessert pairs perfectly (I also have a non-alcoholic espresso martini recipe if you need it!) – I’ve been loving these glasses for espresso martinis!
- Easier than traditional tiramisu! You don’t have to worry about raw egg yolks or sourcing lady fingers. I made this brownie tiramisu with a boxed brownie mix (scandalous and simple!) and topped it with an egg free espresso infused mascarpone mixture
- Great for hosting! This recipe is easy to make but feels surprisingly decadent and fancy. I promise everyone will be excited when you bring out a platter of brownie tiramisu.
What is brownie tiramisu?
This brownie tiramisu is a chocolaty take on classic tiramisu. The base swaps out traditional lady fingers for a layer of fudgy brownies. In each bite you still get that signature creamy espresso flavor from Tiramisu. This version is slightly easier to make and tastes like an elevated brownie dessert. You can make it as a platter like traditional tiramisu or into brownie squares – see each directions below!
why coffee desserts are great for entertaining:
Coffee desserts like brownie tiramisu are great dinner party desserts! Anything with coffee feels a little richer, elevated and more ‘adult’. This dessert was made for being a night cap and gives you a little caffeine boost paired with an espresso martini. This dessert is also simple to make (and make ahead friendly!) which is exactly what you need after prepping a whole dinner party!
Ingredients:
- 1 Boxed Brownie Mix – use a good quality here!
- Salt
- Melted butter
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Fresh espresso or strong coffee – I like to brew fresh espresso!
- Coffee liqueur – I used Patron XO Cafe but Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur is also a popular choice! – both are great coffee liqueurs for espresso martinis as well!
- Mascarpone
- Heavy cream
- Granulated sugar
- Cocoa powder
how to make brownie tiramisu (step by step):
- Prepare boxed brownie mix: I swap out the traditional oil on the boxed ingredients for melted butter and the water for espresso. I think it gives the brownies a richer, more luxurious bakery quality brownie feel at home! I also add a little salt and vanilla extract. If you have a brownie recipe you love, feel free to use it here!
You can either bake the brownies in a 9×9 metal pan (for traditional square cut brownies) lined with parchment paper or in an oval 9” (1.2 qt) casserole dish and scoop out servings like traditional tiramisu! The choice is yours. If you go with the casserole dish, the brownies tend to need an additional 8-10 minutes of baking time.
2. Once the brownies have baked and cooled, poke holes with a fork over the surface. In a small bowl mix together 2 tbsp of espresso with 1 tbsp coffee liqueur and brush (with a pastry brush) over the brownies surface to soak in the flavor
3. Prepare the tiramisu topping: In a medium mixing bowl add mascarpone and heavy cream. Mix with a stand or hand mixer until just combined (do not over mix or the it can curdle a bit). Then add in granulated sugar, vanilla extract, coffee liqueur, and a pinch of salt. Mix on medium speed until soft peaks form. Refrigerate until the brownies are cooled and ready to top
4. Prepare a round of espresso martinis!
5. Top the cooled brownies evenly with the creamy mascarpone topping and with a fine mesh sieve, dust on some cocoa powder on the top. Slice into squares or scoop out like traditional tiramisu
FAQs:
- Can I make brownie tiramisu without alcohol? Yes, of course! Anytime the coffee liqueur is listed you can skip and use more espresso. It will still give you the classic coffee flavor, sans alcohol
- What kind of coffee is best for tiramisu? I like to use freshly brewed espresso but you can also use strong coffee or a cold brew concentrate.
- Can I use store-bought brownies? You sure can! If you’re short on time, you can pick up a pan of your favorite grocery store bought brownies and just add in the espresso soak and mascarpone topper!
- How long should brownie tiramisu chill before serving? It should chill for at least 30 minutes to an hour. You can make this dessert ahead of time but let it come to room temp for 15 minutes or so, so your brownies aren’t hard and top with cocoa powder just before serving!
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Brownie Tiramisu
ingredients
For Brownies:
- 1 Box Brownie Mix
- Freshly brewed espresso
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Unsalted butter melted
- 1 egg
Mascarpone topping:
- 8 oz mascarpone
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ heaping cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tbsp coffee liqueur
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Espresso Soak:
- 1 tbsp coffee liqueur
- 2 tbsp espresso
- cocoa powder to top
instructions
For Brownies:
- Prepare boxed brownie mix as directed OR (follow my pro directions for an extra rich brownie) I swap out the traditional oil for melted butter and the water for espresso. I also add a pinch salt and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Keep the egg as is.
- Bake as directed to box instructions in a 9×9 metal pan lined with parchment paper (for traditional square cut brownies) or in an oval 9'' (1.2 qt) casserole dish and scoop out servings like traditional tiramisu! The choice is yours. If using an oval casserole dish, the brownies will need to bake for an additional 8-10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out clean.
Prepare the tiramisu topping:
- In a medium mixing bowl add mascarpone and heavy cream. Mix with a stand or hand mixer on medium-low until just combined (do not over mix or the it can curdle a bit). Then add in granulated sugar, vanilla extract, coffee liqueur, and a pinch of salt. Mix on medium until soft peaks form.
- Refrigerate until brownies are cooled and ready to top.
Assemble:
- Once the brownies have baked and cooled, poke holes with a fork over the surface evenly.
- In a small bowl mix together 2 tbsp of espresso with 1 tbsp coffee liqueur and brush (with a pastry brush) over the brownies surface to soak in the flavor
- Top the cooled brownies evenly with the creamy mascarpone topping and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
- Remove from refrigerator and with a fine mesh sieve, dust on some cocoa powder on the top. Slice into squares with a sharp knife or scoop out like traditional tiramisu.
notes
my box brownie mix called for 1/3 cup oil so I used 1/3 cup melted butter
my box brownie mix called for 1/4 cup water so I used 1/4 cup espresso
I left the 1 egg as is.
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