Mascarpone, cream cheese, cocoa, and espresso come together for the dreamiest Quick Tiramisu Dip—no baking required!
You know those recipes that come out of nowhere but end up stealing the show? This Quick Tiramisu Dip is one of those little miracles. I was hosting a last-minute girls’ night, and let’s just say, I wasn’t exactly in the mood to bake an actual tiramisu from scratch. But I still wanted something fancy-ish, you know? Something that felt a bit indulgent—without me sweating over it.
So I threw together this dip using a few staples from the fridge, dusted some cocoa on top (because that makes anything feel intentional, right?), and boom—everyone thought I’d planned it. The kicker? One friend legit licked the bowl. I’m not even mad about it.
Why You’ll Love This Quick Tiramisu Dip Recipe?
Here’s the magic of it: It tastes exactly like tiramisu, but you skip the layering, chilling, and any “is this gonna set properly?” stress. It’s creamy, light, with just enough espresso to feel grown-up but still completely snackable. You can make it in 10 minutes flat and serve it with ladyfingers, cookies, or heck—even fruit if you’re feeling health-adjacent.
Ingredient Notes:
Want to know why this works so well? It’s the combo of simple, quality ingredients that just sing together.
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Mascarpone: This is non-negotiable. It’s rich, velvety, and gives the dip that classic tiramisu vibe.
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Cream Cheese: Adds structure and just the right amount of tang. Don’t skip this—trust me.
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Heavy Cream: Whips everything into a dreamy, spoonable cloud.
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Espresso Powder + Cocoa: This is where the depth comes from. Instant espresso gives it that unmistakable coffee hit, and cocoa makes it chocolatey without being too sweet.
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Confectioners’ Sugar: Sifted, please! No one wants lumpy dip.
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Vanilla + Salt: These round out the flavors. Salt especially helps balance the sweetness.
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Ladyfingers (for serving): If you’re going classic. But graham crackers or even biscotti work too.
How To Make Quick Tiramisu Dip?
- First, whisk the cream with the espresso powder and cocoa. I do this in a little bowl and kind of feel like a barista every time. It’s such a satisfying start.
- Next, beat the mascarpone, cream cheese, and powdered sugar together until super smooth. This should only take a couple minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl so everything gets incorporated (learned that the hard way when I didn’t and got a chunk of plain cheese in a bite—oops).
- Then, pour in your cream/espresso mixture, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat it all until light and fluffy. Like… dreamy-clouds fluffy.
- Transfer it to a serving bowl, dust the top with extra cocoa powder, and that’s it! Done. You’re a hero. Serve it up with those crispy ladyfingers and watch it disappear.
Storage Options:
If you somehow have leftovers (you probably won’t), just pop the dip in an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It’ll hold up beautifully for 3–4 days. I wouldn’t freeze it, though—it messes with the texture and gets weirdly grainy.
Variations and Substitutions:
Feel like switching things up a bit? Go for it.
Want To Save This Recipe?
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Swap mascarpone for more cream cheese if you’re in a pinch. It’ll still be good, just slightly more tangy.
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Add a splash of liqueur (like Kahlúa or amaretto) if you want to make it boozy and grown-up.
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Top with mini chocolate chips or shaved chocolate for texture.
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Serve with chocolate cookies or even strawberries instead of ladyfingers.
What to Serve with Quick Tiramisu Dip?
This dip is basically the little black dress of desserts—goes with everything.
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Ladyfingers: Classic. Iconic.
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Biscoff cookies: Trust me. Game-changer.
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Graham crackers: Especially the chocolate ones.
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Apple slices or strawberries: For when you want to feel slightly virtuous.
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Spoons. Because honestly, eating it straight from the bowl? Highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this in advance?
Yes! You can whip it up a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir before serving.
Can I make it without mascarpone?
You can, but it’ll be more like a cheesecake dip. Still delicious, just not quite “tiramisu.”
What if I don’t have espresso powder?
You can sub in really strong instant coffee, or skip it and lean more into the vanilla-cocoa vibe. But that espresso note is what really sells the tiramisu feel.
Can’t wait to see how you make this your own! If you try it, let me know—bonus points if you send me a pic of your dip disappearing faster than it took to make.
Happy dipping!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Quick Tiramisu Dip
Ingredients
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder plus additional for dusting
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese softened
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened
- ⅔ cup approximately 75 grams confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Ladyfingers for serving
Instructions
Prepare the Espresso Mixture:
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, instant espresso powder, and unsweetened cocoa powder until fully dissolved and smooth. Set aside.
Combine Cheeses and Sugar:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the mascarpone, cream cheese, and sifted confectioners' sugar on medium-high speed for approximately 2 minutes, or until the mixture becomes smooth and well incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
Incorporate the Cream Mixture:
- Add the prepared cream-espresso mixture to the cheese blend, along with the vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt. Begin mixing on low speed until just combined, then increase to medium-high speed and beat for an additional minute, or until the dip achieves a light and fluffy texture.
Serve:
- Transfer the finished dip to a serving bowl. Lightly dust the top with additional cocoa powder, if desired. Serve immediately with ladyfingers or your preferred dippers.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
