Tiramisu Brownie Bites are an easy semi-homemade dessert perfect for parties. Store-bought brownie bites are finished with a luscious espresso-kissed mascarpone whipped cream for an elegant, effortless treat.
Lately baking has felt a little challenging for me. I’ve always leaned more toward cooking than baking, and switching from an electric oven to a new gas range has required an adjustment. I love the new gas cooktop, but learning how it affects baking temperatures and timing has been a process. Still, simple recipes and semi-homemade shortcuts have made it easier to enjoy desserts again.
The idea for these tiramisu bites came from a trip I took earlier this year to Cleveland, Ohio with the American Dairy Association Mideast. That visit remains one of my favorite experiences from the year—an inspiring blend of food, farming and community. The trip reminded me how much care goes into dairy production and how much flavor simple dairy ingredients can add to desserts.
Our family loves dairy—my two swimmers often drink chocolate milk after practice because it’s a great recovery drink. During the Cleveland visit we toured a dairy farm and learned about milk testing, farm operations, and the care that goes into getting milk to market. Everyone on the farm was committed to safety and quality, and I especially enjoyed meeting the calves—one of them even nuzzled my knee.
We also visited Miceli’s, a major ricotta and dairy producer. Their facility smelled incredible while cheeses were being made, and we got to taste fresh products and enjoy lunch cooked in their wood-fired pizza oven. I came home with tubs of mascarpone, which is richer and slightly sweeter than cream cheese and worked beautifully in the whipped cream for these bites.
The visit included a memorable evening at the Cleveland Browns stadium, where we were welcomed on the field for dinner and met NFL Hall of Famer Joe Thomas. The NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative partners with dairy and the USDA to support school nutrition and encourage students to be active—another reminder of how food, health and community intersect.
Back in my kitchen, I wanted to create a tiramisu-inspired topping that would hold up on small brownie bites. Stabilized whipped cream—made by incorporating mascarpone or a bit of cream cheese—keeps its structure longer than plain whipped cream. Adding espresso to the mascarpone cream gives it the classic tiramisu flavor without extra fuss.
These tiramisu brownie bites are quick to assemble: use store-bought brownie bites as the base and pipe or dollop the espresso-mascarpone whipped cream on top. A light dusting of cocoa powder finishes them beautifully. They’re a great example of how a few quality dairy ingredients can elevate a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert.
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Tiramisu Brownie Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream cold
- 4 oz mascarpone cheese softened
- 1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tbsp prepared espresso I bought a small can of Starbuck’s
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- store bought brownie bites
- cocoa powder optional
Start Cooking
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine the cold heavy whipping cream, softened mascarpone, confectioner’s sugar, prepared espresso and vanilla.
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Using a hand or stand mixer, begin on low speed to combine the ingredients, then gradually increase to high. Whip on high for about one minute, or until soft peaks form and the mixture resembles whipped cream.
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Top each store-bought brownie bite with a generous dollop of the espresso-mascarpone whipped cream. If desired, dust with cocoa powder before serving.
Here are a few more favorite dairy-forward recipes:
White Chocolate Lemon Cheesecakes
The Best Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Party Potatoes
Slow Cooker Alfredo Mac and Cheese