Easy No-Bake Tiramisu Truffles Recipe
Get all the rich flavor of the classic Italian dessert in a tiny package with my Tiramisu Truffles recipe. These bite-sized treats are packed with creamy mascarpone, bold espresso, vanilla-scented ladyfingers, and dark cocoa. The perfect post-dinner coffee accompaniment!
When you can’t decide on a dessert recipe for your next dinner party, embrace your inner chocolatier. An assortment of these tiramisu truffles, Brazilian brigadeiros, white chocolate truffles, and classic chocolate truffles is an impressive spread that has a little something for everyone. Best of all? Truffles are a snap to make!
Why You’ll Love Tiramisu Truffles
- My YouTube video has amassed over 510,000 views and 15,000 likes, so you can rest assured this easy recipe works as promised. What a relief!
- If you love classic tiramisu but are craving a smaller package, these tiramisu chocolates are just the thing. This one-bowl, no-bake recipe is less fussy than making layered tiramisu cups, but packs all the same crave-worthy flavors.
- While I typically bust out these truffles for special events, they’re an excellent way to keep your fridge stocked with grab-and-go treats. Your coffee break just got way tastier!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Mascarpone – The creamy heart of any tiramisu recipe. In a pinch, you can swap in cream cheese, but the flavor will be much tangier if you do.
- Ladyfingers – Also known as savoiardi cookies, these spongy-crisp treats add a delightful texture. Feel free to swap in digestive biscuits, graham crackers, or vanilla-flavored cookies.
- Espresso – Strongly brewed coffee, cold brew coffee concentrate, or instant espresso dissolved in water can all be used instead.
- Powdered Sugar – This starchy sweetener helps give our truffles some structure while keeping them melt-in-your-mouth smooth. Don’t have any? Make your own by blitzing 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a food processor.
- Vanilla Bean Paste – Vanilla extract or powder can be used in a 1:1 swap.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Another classic ingredient for both tiramisu and truffles. Here it acts to coat the outside of these bite-sized sweets. Feel free to swap in melted chocolate, grated chocolate, or chocolate sprinkles for a fun textural twist.
- Nutella – Optional, but yummy when stuffed in the middle. Try using my homemade Nutella for extra bragging rights.
This is just a short review of the ingredients; for the complete recipe, including quantities, scroll down to the recipe card 👇
How to Make Tiramisu Truffles
Watch the full video recipe to learn how to make the BEST Bite-Sized Tiramisu Chocolates.
Prefer the written recipe? Scroll down to the recipe box 👇
Tiramisu + Truffles: A Fusion of Two Classics
Tiramisu is a relatively modern Italian dessert, believed to have originated in the Veneto (Treviso) region in the late 1960s or early 1970s. It traditionally consists of layers of ladyfinger biscuits dipped in espresso, topped with a rich mascarpone-cream mixture, and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder. The name means “pick me up,” as a nod to the energizing espresso.
Chocolate truffles have their roots in France. They’re small confections that usually have a creamy, often chocolate or ganache center, then are coated or rolled in cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or melted chocolate. The name “truffle” is said to come from their resemblance to the eponymous dark, wrinkled fungi.
These tiramisu truffles bring these two traditions together in a clever way. You get all the coffee-mascarpone flavor profile of tiramisu embedded inside a bite-sized truffle. While the texture is richer and more compact than a layered tiramisu, it still evokes its creamy, coffee-dipped biscuit elements. Delightful!
Get all the rich flavor of the classic Italian dessert in a tiny package with my Tiramisu Truffles recipe. These bite-sized treats are packed with creamy mascarpone, bold espresso, vanilla-scented ladyfingers, and dark cocoa. The perfect post-dinner coffee accompaniment!
When you can’t decide on a dessert recipe for your next dinner party, embrace your inner chocolatier. An assortment of these tiramisu truffles, Brazilian brigadeiros, white chocolate truffles, and classic chocolate truffles is an impressive spread that has a little something for everyone. Best of all? Truffles are a snap to make!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
- Nutella-Stuffed – For an extra indulgent surprise, scoop a small amount of Nutella into the center of each truffle before rolling. The hazelnut-chocolate spread adds another layer of rich flavor and creamy texture.
- Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free ladyfingers or substitute with gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour cookies.
- Dairy-Free – Swap in vegan mascarpone for all the flavor of the original. Make sure your ladyfingers or cookies are also dairy-free.
- Boozy Twist – Add a splash of coffee liqueur, amaretto, or rum to the filling for an adults-only version.
- Different Coatings – Instead of cocoa powder, try rolling the truffles in finely crushed nuts, espresso powder mixed with powdered sugar, or melted white and dark chocolate (use one to dip and one to drizzle).
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Texture tip. The mixture will be sticky at first. Chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling. If it’s still too sticky, dust your hands with cocoa powder or powdered sugar, or mix in a little extra crushed cookies to firm it up.
- Use strong coffee. Espresso or very strong brewed coffee gives the truffles that authentic tiramisu flavor. Avoid watery coffee, which can dull the taste.
- Chill between steps. After rolling, let the truffles chill again before dipping or coating. This keeps them from falling apart and makes handling much easier.
- Even sizing. Use a small cookie scoop to quickly portion the mixture so the truffles are uniform in size.
How to Serve Tiramisu Truffles
Tiramisu truffles shine in many settings. Serve them chilled on a dessert platter, dusted with extra cocoa powder for a classic finish. For an elegant touch, drizzle with melted white or dark chocolate or sprinkle with finely grated chocolate or chocolate curls.
As I mentioned earlier, they pair beautifully with coffee or espresso after dinner, making them an ideal companion to a cozy coffee date. For parties, arrange them in mini muffin cups or on a tiered dessert tray alongside cookies and other small treats. These truffles also make wonderful homemade edible gifts. Package them in a decorative box or add to your Christmas cookie plate!
How to Store Tiramisu Truffles
- Refrigerator: Keep truffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Chilling not only keeps the cheese filling fresh but also helps maintain their firm texture.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the truffles without Nutella filling for up to 1 month. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
More Truffle Recipes
Easy No-Bake Tiramisu Truffles Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 1 tablespoon (250 g) Mascarpone
- 5 oz (140 g) Ladyfingers (savoiardi cookies)
- 2 tablespoon Espresso read notes
- ⅓ cup + 1 teaspoon (50 g) Powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla bean paste or extract
- ¼ cup (30 g) Cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) Nutella optional – read notes
Instructions
- Make the coffee: Brew a small cup of strong espresso and let it cool completely.
- Create the mixture: Crush the ladyfingers into fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin.
- In a large bowl, whisk mascarpone with powdered sugar until smooth. Add cooled espresso and vanilla, mix well, then fold in the crushed ladyfingers.
- Chill: Cover and place the mixture in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Assemble: Scoop a small amount of the mixture, roll into balls, and coat in sifted cocoa powder.
- Optional filled version: Flatten a small portion of the mixture, place ½ tsp Nutella in the center, then close and roll into a ball. Coat in cocoa powder. See video.
- Arrange on a tray, refrigerate for at least 2 hours, then serve chilled.
Video
Notes
- Espresso substitution: If you don’t have espresso, use 1 tsp instant coffee + 2 tbsp (30 ml) boiling water. Let it cool completely before adding.
- Nutella filling: Optional. For classic truffles, roll in cocoa powder only. For extra indulgence, add a Nutella center.
- Ladyfingers: Can be swapped with digestive biscuits, graham crackers, or other plain cookies.
- Texture tip: The mixture is sticky; chill before rolling. If still sticky, dust hands with cocoa or powdered sugar, or mix in a little extra crushed cookies to firm it up.
- Cocoa coating: Sift cocoa for a smooth finish. For variety, roll truffles in grated chocolate or dip in melted chocolate.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3–4 days. They can also be frozen (without Nutella) for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
- Serving idea: Dust lightly with cocoa before serving or garnish with chocolate curls for a more elegant presentation.
FAQs
Yes! Since these truffles are made with mascarpone (like classic tiramisu), they require refrigeration. Hop up to the storage section for more details.
I’d recommend making them at least a few hours in advance since they’ll need time in the fridge to firm up.
Made it to a birthday party. It was a huge hit!
On my to make list, thanks
Hi I made these truffles they were delicious, I made my own nutella with melted block of 70% choc and chopped roasted hazelnuts. I used a whole container of mascarpone and 190g biscuits also increased the coffee to a 1.5heaped dessert spoons of coffee.
Absolutely superb!!:)