Preparing the Cookies:
- Melt the Butter: Start by melting the butter, either in the microwave or in a small saucepan over low to medium heat. Be careful not to let it bubble or burn. Once the butter is melted, pour it into a large mixing bowl and let it cool to room temperature. This will take about 20 minutes. Allowing the butter to cool ensures that it doesn’t affect the texture of the dough.
- Mixing the Wet Ingredients: After the butter has cooled, add the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the bowl. Using a spatula, mix the sugars into the butter for about a minute. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Once the sugars are fully incorporated, add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until smooth and fully combined.
- Preparing the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, instant espresso powder, and salt. These dry ingredients are essential for giving the cookies structure and flavor. The espresso powder is particularly important—it provides the coffee flavor that is characteristic of tiramisu.
- Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Use a spatula to mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as that can lead to tough cookies. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky, which is ideal for a chewy texture.
- Forming the Cookies: Use a 2-tablespoon (1.3-ounce) cookie scoop to portion out 11 cookie dough balls. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Once they’re on the tray, roll them gently between your hands to smooth them out. This step ensures that the cookies bake evenly. After shaping the dough, place the tray in the refrigerator for about 1 hour to chill the dough. Chilling is crucial to ensure the cookies retain their shape during baking.
- Preheat the Oven: While the dough chills, preheat the oven to 355ºF (180ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will help prevent the cookies from sticking to the tray and ensure they bake evenly.
- Baking the Cookies: Once the dough is chilled, take the tray out of the refrigerator and place 6 cookies on a baking sheet, leaving enough space between them to spread as they bake. Bake the cookies for 10-11 minutes, keeping an eye on them. They should be golden brown around the edges but soft in the center. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes. After this, transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Preparing the Mascarpone Cream:
- Whipping the Mascarpone Cream: In a medium bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract, confectioners’ sugar, and agave or honey. Using an electric mixer or stand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip the ingredients together until they form stiff peaks. The mixture should hold its shape and be smooth and creamy. If you’re not using the mascarpone cream immediately, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you’re ready to assemble the cookies.
- Piping the Mascarpone Cream: When the cookies have cooled completely, transfer the mascarpone cream to a piping bag fitted with a piping tip (e.g., Wilton 2A). Pipe a generous swirl of the mascarpone cream onto each cookie, starting from the center and working your way outward. This creates a beautiful swirl effect that mimics the layers of tiramisu.
- Dusting with Cocoa Powder: To finish the cookies, sift a tablespoon of cocoa powder over the top of the mascarpone cream. This step is essential for giving the cookies that signature tiramisu appearance and flavor. The cocoa powder adds a rich, chocolatey depth that perfectly complements the coffee and cream.