Three Layer Tiramisu Blondie Dessert Bars

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This modern twist on an all time classic tiramisu recipe will keep you coming back for more! Our tiramisu blondie dessert bars are packed with rich coffee flavor to make a delicious dessert bar.

A soft coffee blondie topped with espresso soaked lady fingers and mascarpone cream cheese to make an elevated twist on a classic dessert. These tiramisu blondie dessert bars stay true to the classic tiramisu flavors and ingredients while adding a thick blondie layer to transform them into decadent dessert bars. 

The idea of this recipe started with our mom’s love for tiramisu. It is her all time favorite dessert and she always asks for it on special occasions like her birthday. This year we had more casual festivities at home and wanted to create a recipe inspired by her beloved dessert. We settled on creating this tiramisu bar by layering a coffee blondie, espresso soaked lady fingers, and swirling a cream cheese mascarpone layer to top. It was an absolute hit!!  

These bars have all the flavors you love about tiramisu are still in these bars, but elevated with a modern twist. 

Three Layer Tiramisu Blondie Dessert Bars

What’s in this Recipe?

For the espresso blondies you will need…

All Purpose Flour: All purpose flour is the most versatile flour and works perfectly fine in this recipe to make a delicious blondie base for the tiramisu bars.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is added to create a moist blondie base. You don’t want a dried out blondie bottom. Light or dark brown sugar should work fine, just keep in mind that dark brown sugar may give a richer taste.

Sugar: Granulated sugar is whipped together with the mascarpone and cream cheese mixture to add sweetness to the creamy top layer of the bars.

Butter: Butter makes everything better! You will start this recipe by creaming butter and sugar together in order to make your blondie base. It will help to give the blondie a light texture.

Eggs: You will need whole eggs and egg whites for this recipe! Whole eggs are mixed into the brownie batter and egg whites are whipped into the cream creamy top layer to add structure and volume to the bars.

Baking Powder: Essential for baking fudgey brownies!! Baking powder will give the blondies a cake-like texture that is so delicious.

Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is added to the cream cheese and mascarpone to add a bit more flavor to the bars.

Espresso Powder: Tiramisu is supposed to have a strong coffee flavor. So, we added some more coffee flavor to the blondies with espresso powder. 

For the Tiramisu Layers you will need…

Lady Fingers: Lady fingers are the oblong cookies that give tiramisu its defining layered feature! Alone, they don’t have much flavor but they soak up all the rich espresso to hold the flavor that is so loved with tiramisu.

Espresso Shots: The lady finders are soaked in espresso to give the tiramisu bars the rich coffee flavor.

Mascarpone: Mascarpone is a staple ingredient in tiramisu to create a creamy layer. Make sure your cheese is at room temp or softened to make mixing easier.

Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is not traditionally in tiramisu but is essential for making the beautiful and delicious layers of these tiramisu bars. Make sure your cheese is at room temp or softened to make mixing easier.

Before you start making the tiramisu bars….

You will need espresso shots for this recipe! You could opt for very strong coffee but it likely will not give you the same flavor. If you have an espresso maker at home to make your espresso shots, run to your local coffee shop or Starbucks and ask for a couple shots of espresso! 

How to Make the Tiramisu Blondie Dessert Bars

You will want to work layer by layer for these tiramisu bars!! There are three layers in these bars. The bars start with a thick chewy espresso flavored blondie on the bottom. Next espresso soaked lady fingers. And lastly, a sweet mascarpone and cream cheese layer swirled with some blondie batter. 

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Making the Layers

Start by grease a 9 x11 or 8×8 pan with butter and line with parchment paper (this will make it easier to remove the bars after they have cooked and chilled). Preheat the oven to 350F. 

First you will start with the blondie base layer. In a medium bowl add your dry ingredients – flour, salt, baking powder, espresso powder- and set aside while your cream butter and sugar. Using a stand mixer, cream your butter and brown sugar until incorporated and creamy. Add in your eggs and vanilla and blend until combined. Next, gradually add in your dry mixture a third at a time, making sure each is blended before adding the next. Once you have your batter mixed together, set aside while you make the mascarpone and cream cheese top layer. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, egg whites, sugar and vanilla until combined. This could take a couple minutes to get a smooth consistency. Keep mixing until you do. 

Assembling the Bars

Once you have your top and bottom layers, it is time to assemble the bars. Start by pouring the two thirds of the blondie batter in the greased, parchment-paper-lined pan. Spread the batter in an even layer across the bottom. Saving one third of the batter to swirl in the top layer. 

Next place your lady fingers on top of the brownie batter in a single layer. Using a pastry brush, dip into the espresso shot and generously brush the lady fingers until they are soaked with espresso. Do not pour the espresso over the lady fingers. You want to make sure all the espresso is being soaked dup by the lady finger cookies. Once the lady fingers start to appear soaked, you can stop brushing.

Lastly, pour your mascarpone cheese mixture over the lady fingers and spread in an even layer. Drop the last third of the batter in spoonfuls over the mascarpone layer and swirl gently with a knife. 

Place the bars in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes until the top has browned on the edges and no batter clings to a toothpick when you poke it. Let it chill for 15-20 minutes. Slice and remove from the pan. Serve warm with a cup of coffee.

Three Layer Tiramisu Blondie Dessert Bars

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• Total Time: 1 hour 9 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x

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Description

An espresso blondie topped with espresso soaked lady fingers and mascarpone cream cheese swirl, baked into a delicious three layer tiramisu dessert bar.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Espresso Blondies

• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp espresso powder
• 2 sticks butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla

Tiramisu Layers

• 12–14 lady fingers
• 2 shots espresso
• 8 oz mascarpone
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 egg whites
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

Espresso Blondies

1. Start by grease a 9 x11 or 8×8 pan with butter and line with parchment paper (this will make it easier to remove the bars after they have cooked and chilled). Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
2. In a medium bowl add your dry ingredients – flour, salt, baking powder, espresso powder. Set aside while the cream butter and sugar. 
3. Using a stand mixer, cream your butter and brown sugar until incorporated and creamy. Add in your eggs and vanilla and blend until combined.
4. Next, gradually add in your dry mixture a third at a time, making sure each is blended before adding the next. Once you have your batter mixed together, set aside while you make the mascarpone and cream cheese top layer. 

Tiramisu Layers

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, egg whites, sugar and vanilla until combined. This could take a couple minutes to get a smooth consistency. Keep mixing until you do. 
2. Brew 2 shots of espresso and let it cool for several minutes while you start to assemble the layers.
3. It is time to assemble the bars. Start by pouring the two thirds of the blondie batter in the greased, parchment-paper-lined pan. Spread the batter in an even layer across the bottom. Saving one third of the batter to swirl in the top layer. 
4. Next place your lady fingers on top of the brownie batter in a single layer. Using a pastry brush, dip into the espresso shot and generously brush the lady fingers until they are soaked with espresso. Don’t pour the espresso over the lady fingers. You want to make sure all the espresso is being soaked dup by the lady finger cookies. Once the lady fingers start to appear soaked, you can stop brushing.
5. Lastly, pour your mascarpone cheese mixture over the lady fingers and spread in an even layer. Drop the last third of the batter in spoonfuls over the mascarpone layer and swirl gently with a knife. 
6. Place the bars in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes until the top has browned on the edges and no batter clings to a toothpick when you poke it. Let it chill for 15-20 minutes. Slice and remove from the pan.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dessert

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